DAAD Doctoral Programmes in Germany (Research Grants for PhD)
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers Doctoral Programmes in Germany grants to students from around the world, including India, who want to do a full PhD or a doctoral research project at a German university or a recognised research institute.
The grant is meant for students with above-average marks who have finished a Master's degree or Diplom (in rare cases a Bachelor's degree) by the time the funding starts. Your last degree should not be more than six years old at the application deadline. If you have already started your doctorate, it should not have begun more than three years ago. You also must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months at the deadline. Different rules apply to human medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry.
Selected scholars get about €1,400 per month, an annual research allowance of €460, health, accident and personal liability insurance, and a travel allowance on request. There is also support for German language courses. Funding runs for a maximum of four years — usually up to three years first, with a possible one-year extension.
Applications are made online through the DAAD portal, with all documents uploaded as PDFs. The application window opens on 1 June each year. DAAD updates the exact closing date every year, so check the "Application procedure" tab on the official DAAD page before you apply.
At a glance
| Who can apply | PhD |
|---|---|
| Streams | — |
| Category | All |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | About €1,400 per month, plus an annual research allowance of €460, health/accident/personal liability insurance, and a travel allowance on application. Rent subsidy, family allowances and disability support may be added in some cases. |
| Duration | Maximum of four years. The grant is first awarded for up to three years and can be extended for a fourth year. |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- Curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages)
- List of publications (maximum 10 pages), if applicable
- Letter of motivation (1-2 pages)
- Research proposal (maximum 10 pages in total)
- Letter from the academic supervisor in Germany confirming supervision
- Schedule / timetable for the research work
- University degree certificates with grades
- Transcripts of records
- One recent letter of recommendation from a university teacher
- Declaration on research safety and ethics from the German supervisor
How you're selected
An independent selection committee reviews the applications. It looks at three things: your qualifications (academic record and language skills), the quality of your research project (originality and how practical the plan is), and your own potential (career plans, motivation and civic engagement).
FAQs
Who can apply? Students with above-average academic results who will have completed a Master's degree or Diplom (in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree) by the time funding begins. Your most recent degree must not be older than six years at the application deadline, and if your doctorate has already started, it must not have begun more than three years ago.
Can I apply if I already live in Germany? Only if you have not been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
How much money do I get? The official DAAD page states a monthly amount of "1,400 euros", plus an "annual research allowance of € 460". You also get health, accident and personal liability insurance, and a travel allowance on application. Rent subsidy, family allowances and disability support are possible in some cases.
How long does the funding last? Funding is given for a maximum of four years. It is normally awarded first for up to three years, and can be extended for a fourth year.
What is the last date to apply? We could not verify a confirmed closing date for the current cycle. DAAD says applications are possible "between 1 June and the stated application deadline" and that deadlines are updated every year. Please check the official notification on the DAAD scholarship database page before applying.
How do I apply? Apply online through the DAAD portal. Register first, then upload every required document as a PDF — CV, letter of motivation, research proposal, supervisor's confirmation letter, degree certificates, transcripts and one letter of recommendation.