FAQ DAAD Scholarships & Grants

1. I am not a British/ Irish citizen. Can I still apply for the study or research grant?
If you are a foreign national currently living in the UK, you must fulfil the following requirements:
• Applicants for Long-Term Grants (over 6 months): you have gained your last degree in the UK/ Ireland or will be gaining it before taking up your scholarship.
• Applicants for Short-Term Grants (6 months and less): you have been living in the UK/ Ireland for a minimum of one year and your current residence is in the UK/ Ireland.

2. I am an international student currently living in the UK/Ireland. Do I apply via the DAAD London Office or via my home country?
Applicants of all nationalities may apply, provided that the applicant is either currently enrolled at a British/Irish university and has been living and studying in the UK/Ireland for at least one year or graduated recently from a British/Irish university. All international students who graduated from a British/Irish university but no longer live in the UK/Ireland are kindly requested to complete the contact form below before starting their application.

3. I am a German national currently living in the UK/Ireland. I would like to study and/ or carry out research in Germany. Am I eligible?
Generally, this is not possible as funding for German nationals to go abroad and funding for non-Germans to come to Germany come from different sources. However, exceptions can be made for:

• German nationals applying for a study or research grant for graduates, PhD candidates, postdocs or junior academics, if they have been living in the UK/Ireland for at least 6 years at the time of application
• German nationals applying for a research grant for (senior) academics if they have been living in the UK/Ireland for at least 10 years at the time of the application

4. If I am interested in applying for the study scholarship to complete a degree in Germany, do I need to be admitted or accepted into a German university by the time of application?
No, as German universities’ admission deadlines are later than our deadline, it’s often impossible and therefore not necessary to be admitted to a German university at the time of application.

5. Can I apply for a study scholarship for study periods shorter than ten months?
No.

6. I have just started my Master’s programme in Germany. Can I apply for the Study Scholarship for my second year?
Yes.

7. Is it acceptable to apply to a programme which is offered jointly by multiple universities (including one German university and other European/non-European countries)?
We may consider it for funding, if the study abroad part (i.e. outside of Germany) is less than 25% of the total award period. The stay abroad will be only permitted if it is a required part in the curriculum of the study programme. It should not be conducted in the home country.

8. Are scholarships available for online courses?
No, DAAD does not support online courses.

9. Can the funding for the One Year Grant start on April 1st, instead of October 1st?
No, scholarships must start on October 1st.

1. Is there a specific format requirement for proposals?
We do not have specific format requirements. Double or single line spacing is up to your personal preference. Our general guideline is to be considerate toward the reviewer - i.e. a font that's not too small (min 10 pt, 12 pt is usually the most comfortable) and of a basic, non-fancy, easy to read style; make sure there are some margins on the side for them to make notes. If you feel you have explained things well and clearly in less space, going under the limit is always okay.

2. The call for scholarship applications specifies that a “Description of my study plans” or a “Letter of motivation” must be submitted. What exactly does this mean?
You can find tips on how to write a letter of motivation on the daad.de website here: 'How do I write a letter of motivation?'

3. The call for scholarship applications requires a comprehensive and precise “Description of my research project”. What exactly does this mean?
You can find tips on how to introduce a research project on the daad.de website here: 'How should I introduce my research project?'

4. I would like to improve my German language skills before I arrive in the country. Are there online language courses that I can take in my home country?
Yes, you can learn German online. Find out on the daad.de website 'Improving your German' about the different options that are available for learning German. Special online German language courses are offered by the Goethe-Institut, for example, or Deutsch-Uni Online (DUO) (for scholarship holders whose scholarship lasts longer than six months, the DAAD covers the costs of a DUO module).

1. I need a supervisor for my individual project in Germany. Who can be my academic host?
Hosts can be university teachers or academic teaching staff who work at a state or state-approved university or a non-university research institute in Germany. If possible, the host should be qualified to teach at professorial level.

2. I have found a supervisor for my individual project. What documents do I need from him/her for the application?
Your academic supervisor must confirm that he/she is willing to help you carry out your research project or doctorate in a “Letter confirming academic supervision”, which you must submit with your application. Ideally, the letter of confirmation (informal) from your supervisor should
• indicate that the description of your research project and schedule has been discussed,
• confirm that a workplace is available for you, and
• specify the language that is spoken at the host institute.

1. How do I apply?
Application procedures may vary depending on the scholarship programme. To find out where and how to apply, please read the “Application procedure” section of the programme’s call for applications.
Please contact us if you have any questions. You can find your nearest contact person in the scholarship database under the “Contact and Consulting” tab for a scholarship programme.

2. In the call for scholarship applications it says I have to apply through the DAAD portal. What does that mean?
You have to apply online. To do this, you have to register on the DAAD portal. Select first the call for scholarship applications for your chosen scholarship programme and then the tab “Application portal” in the scholarship database on the daad.de website. Please note that this tab is only visible during the period in which it is possible to apply for this scholarship programme or when the DAAD portal is open for applications.

3. How does the application process work?
APPLICATION: submit online through the DAAD portal. We do not need a printed copy.
REFERENCE: has to be sent by post to the DAAD London branch.
Please note that the guidelines above don't apply to visual/performing arts.

4. Who can I contact in case of technical problems (e.g. unable to upload a document)?
For any technical problems or questions, please contact the portal support team at our head office (open every weekday from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm CET). email: portal@daad.de , telephone: +49 (0)228 882 8888

5. Which documents do I have to upload to be able to submit an application to the DAAD portal?
Your application is only complete if you submit all the application documents listed in the call for applications. With the exception of your signed reference form and work samples (e.g. DVDs), all of these documents must be uploaded to the DAAD portal. In some cases, individual documents (e.g. university certificate) may be submitted at a later date if this is explicitly permitted in the programme's call for scholarship applications.

6. Is my application complete if I submit it via the DAAD portal?
No. Your application is only complete when we have received your complete electronic application via the online portal and reference by post (postmark date is valid). Please note that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

7. How long is the DAAD portal open on the day of the deadline?
Applications can be submitted online until 10:59pm GMT on the day of the deadline. Please make sure that you leave sufficient time for your online application – you will NOT be able to submit an application after 11pm GMT and we will consequently not be able to consider your application.

8. Do I need to send any application documents by post?
Your application via the DAAD online application portal (MOVE) gives us access to your digital file. Please note that we no longer require a printed copy of your application documents. The only document that has to be sent to our office is the reference form (see question about submission of reference form).

9. How do I submit the reference form?
There reference form is the only document not to be uploaded to the portal as this document is confidential. Once your referee has completed and signed the template 'Reference for Scholarship Applications by foreign Applicants', he/she can either send the original hard copy directly to the DAAD London office or give the reference form to you in a sealed envelope to be sent in.

10. Do I have to apply in German?
Unless otherwise stated in the call for scholarship applications, you can submit your application either in German or English. Please note that application documents that are not in German or English must be translated either into German or English. The translations do not have to be certified for the application procedure, and you may do the translations yourself. In most scholarship programmes, translations must be submitted again in certified form if a scholarship is awarded.

Important Information for Applicants applying for the Study Scholarships for Graduates of All Academic Disciplines: Proof of German Language Proficiency required!

If you are applying for a Study Scholarships for Graduates of All Disciplines or a Research Grant - One Year Grant for Graduates/Doctoral Candidates/PhDs please note the following requirements:

Proof of German Language Proficiency
Only candidates with no German knowledge or whose course/research is entirely in English (please provide proof!) are exempt.
All other applicants, including graduates of German, must either submit a recent German language certificate or take a German language test at a Goethe Institute or with a DAAD-Lektor. The language test is intended to indicate the level of proficiency in the German language and there is no specific pass mark.
The German language test (the onSET-Deutsch test, previously called OnDaF test) at the Goethe Institute in London is free of charge for DAAD applicants.
Please register at onSET for your participation in the test. Once you are registered, please forward your registration email to the Goethe-Institut London who will then be in touch with you regarding an access code. Please be advised that there is a limited number of places to sit the test. Meeting point at the Goethe-Institut London is on the second floor.

You can take the onSET-Deutsch test at the Goethe-Institut London on the following days:

Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 10.30am - 12pm

Friday, 15 November 2019, 10.30am - 12pm

Wednesday, 8 January 2020, 10.30am - 12pm

Alternatively, you can arrange to sit the test with a DAAD Lektor in the German Department of your local university; Lektoren contact details on this website can be found here.

1. Who makes a decision about my application?
The selection committee is an independent committee made up of experts from the UK and Ireland. If necessary, experts in the respective subject are asked to submit written statements. DAAD employees do not vote in the scholarship election procedure.

2. According to which criteria does the selection committee make its decision?
The key selection criteria are the description and justification of the proposal

• for study or research stays and courses of continuing education: a convincing and well-planned project (see 'How should I introduce my research project?' on the daad.de website)
• for structured study programmes or language and special courses: a well-justified choice of course (see 'How do I write my letter of motivation?' on the daad.de website).
• academic achievements.

3. If short-listed for a grant, do I have to attend an interview?
This depends on the type of programme you are applying for. Please check the details of your specific programme in the Scholarship database.

4. How long will it take until I get the results?
The usual time span between your application and the release of the results is about ten weeks.

1. What’s the whole amount of the monthly scholarship payment?
The scholarship payment depends on the applicant's academic qualifications. It is usually €750.00 for undergraduate students, €850.00 for graduate scholarship holders and €1,200.00 for doctoral candidates and postdoc scholarship holders. The payments for university teachers are typically: €2,000.00 for assistants, assistant professors and lecturers, €2,150.00 for professors (as of August 2015). You can find an overview of other possible benefits in each programme’s call for applications.

2. Who pays for outward and return travel expenses?
Unless travel expenses are covered by another source of funding, the DAAD pays a contribution towards the scholarship holder's travel expenses.

3. Can I bring my family with me?
If the funding period is less than six months, there are no provisions to unite families and therefore no family allowances can be paid. For scholarships with a funding period of over six months, please read the call for scholarship applications to find out if this programme provides for family members.

4. Do I have to take out health insurance in Germany?
Scholarship holders and accompanying family members must be covered by health insurance throughout their stay in Germany from their first day in the country. Health insurance coverage in Germany is regulated differently depending on country of origin. You will be informed about the conditions of health insurance and the services provided by the DAAD when you receive the Scholarship Award Letter.

5. Am I allowed to take on additional work as a scholarship holder in Germany?
Scholarship holders wishing to do additional work during their scholarship, i.e. pursue gainful employment, always require the approval of the DAAD. The host must also approve the additional work. The DAAD is responsible for making sure that the additional work does not endanger fulfilment of the scholarship purpose, as described in the introduction of the call for applications. Casual earnings that exceed the “Income limit for part-time workers” (currently €450.00 a month) are credited against the monthly scholarship payments.

6. I have heard that tuition fees are charged by some universities in Germany. Do I have to pay these fees if I'm receiving a DAAD scholarship?
Although tuition fees are not generally charged in Germany, studying at some universities is not always free of charge.
In the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, international students (Bachelor and Master's level) at state universities have had to pay a fee of € 1,500 per semester since the winter semester 2017/18. However, universities can issue a statute that allows certain exceptions, for example, for especially gifted students or students from developing countries. It is therefore important that you ask your chosen host university about possible exceptions.
Private universities in all federal states may also charge tuition fees. These can vary considerably. You should therefore find out about possible fees before submitting your application.
Both state and private universities in all federal states may also charge fees for so-called Master’s study courses providing further education ("weiterbildende Masterstudiengänge") that often require previous professional experience or lead to a certain additional qualification. These include the so-called LL.M. degree programmes for law students. Fees for these programmes are sometimes very high so you should find out about them in advance.
On principle, DAAD pays no tuition fees for its scholarship holders. So even if you are a scholarship holder, you should ask your chosen host university whether it charges tuition fees in any of the above cases.

7. Can I apply for funding to cover the whole degree course in Germany?
Study scholarships are awarded for the duration of the standard period of study for the chosen study programme (up to a maximum of 24 months). To receive further funding after the first year of study for 2-year courses, proof of academic achievements thus far should indicate that the study programme can be successfully completed within the standard period of study.
Applicants who are already in Germany in their first academic year of a 2-year postgraduate or Master's programme at the time of their application may apply for a scholarship for the second year of study as long as they have not been living in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application. Scholarships awarded for the second academic year cannot be extended.

We regret that the Research Grant - One-Year Grant cannot be extended.

8. Where can I find further financial support to complete my degree in Germany?
You should always check whether the host institution in Germany offers any scholarships you could apply for. Apart from that you can check our scholarship database for any further DAAD or non-DAAD funding opportunities.
In very rare cases students may also be eligible for BAföG (the German government student support, which is half grant and half loan) or BILDUNGSKREDIT (governmental student loan). You or your parents should have normally worked in Germany in the past in order to be eligible for either of the two schemes.

9. Do you offer any funding for studies and research in the UK/Ireland?
The DAAD funding schemes are designed to foster academic exchange between Germany and the UK/Ireland. British/Irish home students and international students who are looking for financial support with their studies in the UK and Ireland are kindly advised to seek advice from a British or Irish funding body. Useful links are GOV.UK and EducationIreland.

10. Can I receive a graduate scholarship more than once?
This depends on which DAAD scholarship you've received previously:
• Study Scholarships for Graduates of All Disciplines: No.
• Research Grants - One-Year Grants: No.
• Research Grants - Short-Term Grants: Yes. You can receive one grant per 12-month period