DAAD Scholarships for Study and Research in Germany
DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for South Africa and Southern Africa)
The DAAD Scholarships are funded through the German Academic Exchange Service to support South African and Sub-Saharan African graduates to complete a Master's or PhD, or a research stay, in Germany. The portfolio includes the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master's in Public Policy and Good Governance), Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), and DAAD doctoral programmes and Research Grants. Awards pay a monthly stipend plus health insurance and travel allowances, with a German language course, tuition-fee exemption or rent and family allowances depending on the programme. The DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg offers free information sessions and consultations.
- Amount
- Monthly stipend of EUR 992 for Master's students (EPOS and Helmut-Schmidt-Programme) and EUR 1,400 for doctoral candidates and Research Grant holders, plus health insurance, travel allowance and, depending on the programme, a language course, tuition-fee exemption and rent or family allowances
- Deadline
- Closed 24 September 2026
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for South Africa and Southern Africa) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ Open to South African / Sub-Saharan African citizens or permanent residents
- ✓ A completed first university degree with above-average results (upper third): a Bachelor's for Master's programmes, a Master's for doctoral programmes and Research Grants
- ✓ EPOS: at least two years of relevant professional experience after a (usually four-year) Bachelor's degree, plus a development-related motivation
- ✓ Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (2027): a degree in social or political sciences, law, economics or public policy and administration, issued no earlier than 1 January 2020, plus relevant practical experience
- ✓ Research Grants: doctoral candidates registered outside Germany, or postdocs who completed their doctorate no more than four years earlier
- ✓ Language proficiency as required by the chosen course (English and/or German depending on the programme)
- ✓ Acceptance to, or application for, an eligible course or research stay at a German host institution
What's Included
- ✓ Monthly stipend: EUR 992 for Master's students; EUR 1,400 for doctoral candidates and Research Grant holders
- ✓ Health, accident and personal liability insurance
- ✓ Travel allowance
- ✓ Preparatory German language course (mandatory for Helmut-Schmidt scholars; offered for longer research stays)
- ✓ Tuition-fee exemption for Helmut-Schmidt-Programme scholars
- ✓ Rent subsidy and family allowance in some cases, and a research allowance for longer research stays
- ✓ Access to the international DAAD alumni and scholar network
Work Commitment
No formal work-back contract; development-related programmes (EPOS, Helmut-Schmidt-Programme) are intended to build expertise that scholars apply to development and good-governance work in their home countries on return
How to Apply
Steps to complete your DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for South Africa and Southern Africa) bursary application
- 1
Visit the DAAD South Africa funding page at daad.org.za/en/find-funding/daad-scholarships and identify which programme fits you (EPOS, Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, doctoral programmes or Research Grants)
- 2
Open the programme's entry in the DAAD scholarship database, select your status and South Africa as your country of origin, and check the current deadline
- 3
EPOS: apply directly to the participating German course by its own deadline (listed in DAAD's EPOS deadlines document for the 2027/2028 intake)
- 4
Helmut-Schmidt-Programme: send the DAAD application form and documents directly to up to two of the participating master's courses during the application period (1 June to 31 July in 2026)
- 5
Doctoral programmes and Research Grants: apply online through the DAAD portal, which opens at least six weeks before the deadline, and have a university teacher complete the recommendation form generated in the portal
- 6
Optionally book a free virtual or in-person consultation, or join an online info session, with the DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg
- 7
Await selection and, if successful, complete enrolment and visa formalities for study in Germany
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of your ID or passport
- 📄 Academic transcripts for all completed qualifications (with an explanation of the grading system)
- 📄 Degree certificate(s) - a Bachelor's for Master's applicants and a Master's for doctoral applicants
- 📄 Up-to-date CV (Europass format for the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme)
- 📄 Letter of motivation / statement of purpose
- 📄 Proof of relevant work experience (especially for EPOS and the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme)
- 📄 Reference letter(s) or the DAAD recommendation form, as the programme requires
- 📄 Proof of language proficiency (English and/or German as required by the course)
- 📄 Research proposal and confirmation of academic supervision (for doctoral and Research Grant applicants)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for a DAAD scholarship from South Africa?
- South African and other Sub-Saharan African citizens or permanent residents who hold a completed first degree with above-average results (a Bachelor's for Master's programmes or a Master's for doctoral programmes and Research Grants). EPOS programmes usually require at least two years of relevant professional experience, and you must meet the language requirements of your chosen course (English and/or German).
- What does the DAAD scholarship cover?
- It pays a monthly stipend (EUR 992 for Master's students and EUR 1,400 for doctoral candidates and Research Grant holders), health, accident and personal liability insurance and a travel allowance. Depending on the programme it can also include a preparatory German language course, tuition-fee exemption (Helmut-Schmidt-Programme), rent and family allowances, and a research allowance.
- How and where do I apply?
- It depends on the programme. For EPOS courses you apply directly to each participating German university by its own deadline. Helmut-Schmidt-Programme applications go directly to up to two participating master's courses. Doctoral programmes and Research Grants are applied for online through the DAAD portal. The DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg offers free guidance but does not itself process most applications.
- When are the DAAD deadlines for 2027?
- Most 2027 deadlines have passed: the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme closed on 31 July 2026, and doctoral programmes in Germany and bi-nationally supervised doctorates closed on 24 September 2026. EPOS deadlines vary by course, so check DAAD's EPOS deadlines list. The next Research Grant deadline for short research stays is 17 March 2027, for stays starting from September 2027 (as listed on 12 October 2026).
- Is this the same as the NRF-DAAD scholarship?
- No. These DAAD scholarships fund study and research in Germany and are run by the German Academic Exchange Service. They are distinct from the separate NRF-DAAD In-Country / In-Region scheme, which funds study within South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
2027 applications have closed
The 2027 application window closed on 24 September 2026.
DAAD sets deadlines per programme and updates them each year in the second quarter. For 2027 funding, Helmut-Schmidt-Programme applications ran from 1 June to 31 July 2026, doctoral programmes in Germany and bi-nationally supervised doctorates closed on 24 September 2026, and EPOS deadlines are set by each course (several closed on 30 September 2026). The next Research Grant deadline listed for South Africa is 17 March 2027, for short research stays starting from September 2027 (checked 12 October 2026).
Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.
Check DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for South Africa and Southern Africa)'s official siteNeed help? Contact DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for South Africa and Southern Africa):
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +27 (0) 11 717 9334
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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