DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2026/27 (Fully Funded)

The DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) program, administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), is a prestigious scholarship initiative designed to support talented graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries who seek to advance their education through postgraduate study in Germany. This program specifically aims to nurture professionals who are committed to contributing to the sustainable development of their home countries by equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and international exposure.

Through the DAAD EPOS program, recipients receive full scholarships to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at state-recognized German universities. These scholarships cover a wide array of disciplines that are critical for development, including engineering, public health, economics, education, environmental sciences, and social sciences. The program’s focus on these fields ensures that participants gain expertise in areas directly linked to addressing key challenges faced by their countries.

Eligibility

• Open to graduates from eligible developing and newly industrialized countries (see DAAD list)
• Must hold a bachelor’s degree (typically a 4‑year program) in a relevant discipline
• Must have at least two years of relevant professional experience
• Must demonstrate academic excellence (above‑average results)
• Must prove a motivation in development-related activities and are expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship
• Language requirements vary by course (often English or German proficiency required)

Restrictions

• His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.

• Applicants who have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline cannot be considered.

Program Dates

• Application window: Varies by course (typically mid‑2025 to early 2026)
• Scholarships begin: Usually September or October 2026
• Funding duration: 12 to 42 months, depending on degree level

Program Coverage

• Fully funded scholarship for master’s (up to 2 years) or PhD (up to 3.5 years)
• Monthly stipend: €992 (master’s) | €1,300 rising to €1,400 from February 2026 (PhD)
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
• Travel allowance for round‑trip airfare
• Possible rent subsidy and family allowances, where applicable

Some of the Currently Open Programs (as of July 18, 2025)

• MSc Infrastructure Planning (Uni Stuttgart)
• MSc Urban Management (TU Berlin)
• MA Development Studies (Uni Passau)
• MA in International and Development Economics (HTW Berlin)
• MSc Agricultural Economics (Uni Bonn)
• MSc Tropical Forestry (TU Dresden)
• MSc IARD (Uni Göttingen)

You can find the official DAAD EPOS program list with deadlines, languages, and degree levels here: DAAD EPOS Course List (2026/27)

• Most programs are in English
• The list includes both Master’s and PhD programs

Application Process

Where to Apply

You must apply directly to the university offering your chosen postgraduate course, not to DAAD. Any applications sent to DAAD will be disregarded and not forwarded to universities. Each programme has its own application method, which may involve online portals or email submission. Visit the official website of each course to find details about how to apply, which documents to submit, and the exact deadlines.

Applicants may choose up to three postgraduate programmes from the EPOS list. You must indicate your order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd) clearly and consistently in both your DAAD application form and your motivation letter. This prioritisation must not change across documents.

Required Documents

Your application must be complete and compiled in a specific order. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:

• A completed and signed DAAD checklist
• The DAAD EPOS application form, typed or clearly handwritten
• A Curriculum Vitae using the Europass format, arranged in reverse chronological order and without gaps
• A single motivation letter explaining your academic, professional, and personal reasons for applying. This letter must also justify your selected programmes and their order of priority
• A letter of recommendation from your current employer, signed, stamped, and dated on official letterhead
• Certificates of Employment that prove you have at least two years of relevant work experience after your Bachelor's degree. If available, also include a letter guaranteeing re-employment upon your return
• Proof of language skills, including IELTS or TOEFL scores (institutional TOEFL is not accepted). German proficiency is required only for programmes taught in German
• Copies of your higher education degree certificates. Include certified translations if they are not in English or German
• A complete transcript of records from your university studies. If the grading scale is not shown, attach an explanation
• Applicants from China must include an APS certificate

NOTE: Some programmes may request additional documents, so always consult the specific course webpage or the EPOS brochure before submitting your application.

Application and Selection Process

The process consists of four main steps:

1. You submit your complete application directly to the programme of your choice.
2. The university evaluates the applications and shortlists candidates.
3. If you're shortlisted, DAAD will invite you to upload your full application to their portal.
4. DAAD will make the final scholarship selections and notify the successful applicants.