With its development-oriented postgraduate study programmes, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialised countries.
About DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
Opportunity Details
With its development-oriented postgraduate study programmes, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialised countries. Well-trained local experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education and health for all. The scholarships offer foreign graduates from development and newly industrialised countries from all disciplines and with at least two years' professional experience the chance to take a postgraduate or Master's degree at a state or state-recognised German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master's/PhD) in Germany.
Duration of the funding
- 12 to 42 months (dependent on study programme)
What can be funded?
- Individual scholarships exclusively for Postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed here
Benefits of DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
- Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates or 1,300 euros (1,400 euros beginning with February 2026) for doctoral candidates
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
- Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family
DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) Requirements
- Graduates with at least two years' professional experience from the following countries listed here
- Candidates fulfil the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany (above-average result for first academic exam – top performance third, language skills)
- Candidates have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) in an appropriate subject
- Candidates have at least two years' professional experience
- Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship
Note: For those courses taught in German, a DSH 2 or Test DaF 4 certificate is necessary for matriculation. At the time of the application, a level B1 certificate is necessary.
Application Date and Process
The applications have to be sent directly to the respective University. Applications (or documents) sent to the DAAD will not be forwarded to the according courses!
The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered.
List of the required documents (in the stated order):
- DAAD application form
- hand-signed CV
- Hand-signed letter of motivation (with reference to current occupation), maximum 2 pages with reference to the current employment. Further should the developmentrelated motivation be described and how you intend to make full use of the scholarship and education by taking on social responsibility later in your career.
- Important: When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to submit one motivation letter explaining why you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority.
- Professional letter/s of recommendation from your employer (the letter must have a letterhead, a signature and an office stamp and must be of recent date)
- Confirmation of employment from the employer in your home country and – if possible – a guarantee of reemployment.
Proof of language abilities:
- English - TOEFL or IELTS (Note: They only accept an academic TOEFL)
- German - necessary for the courses taught in German; for the courses taught in English, if available
- Copies of awarded academic degrees (certified translation if necessary)
- Copies of academic transcripts (certified translation if necessary)
- Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.
Application and Selection Procedure
Step 1: You send your complete application(s) directly to the according postgraduate course.
Step 2: A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
Step 3: The suggested candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal.
Step 4: The selection process will be finalized, and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.
Important:
Make sure that you have a copy of each document of your application ready, as those documents (as PDF files) have to be uploaded to the DAAD Portal in case you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship!
Click here to apply directly to the chosen study programme
Scholarship Application Portal
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DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
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