The DAAD Research Grants in Germany 2027 programme supports defined research stays in Germany for doctoral researchers completing their doctorate outside Germany and for early postdoctoral researchers. The current monthly scholarship is €1,400. Deadlines are country-specific.
DAAD Research Grants in Germany 2027 at a Glance
| Programme | Research Grants in Germany |
|---|---|
| Funder | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
| Funding cycle | 2027 |
| Doctoral funding duration | 2–12 months |
| Postdoctoral funding duration | 2–6 months |
| Monthly scholarship | €1,400 |
| Host | Eligible German university or non-university research institute |
| Deadline | Country-specific |
| Application route | DAAD scholarship portal |
The scheme is designed for a clearly defined research project or research phase in Germany. It does not finance an entire German doctorate under this programme.
Who Can Apply?
Doctoral researchers
Doctoral applicants should normally be pursuing their doctorate outside Germany. Under the current programme rules, the doctorate should generally have started no more than three years before the application deadline.
Early postdoctoral researchers
Postdoctoral applicants should normally have completed their doctorate no more than four years before the application deadline.
Residence rule
Applicants who have been resident in Germany for more than 15 months by the application deadline are generally not eligible.
Subject-specific restrictions
Separate rules may apply in human medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry. Applicants in these fields should review the subject-specific DAAD regulations before applying.
Funding and Benefits
The current scholarship rate is €1,400 per month.
Depending on the duration and individual circumstances, support may also include:
- contributions toward health, accident and personal liability insurance;
- a travel allowance;
- a €460 research allowance for funding periods longer than six months;
- possible rent subsidy;
- possible family allowance;
- additional support for applicants with disabilities or chronic illness;
- Green Mobility Top Up where applicable; and
- support for German-language preparation where permitted under the programme rules.
German Host and Research Project Requirements
The proposed research must be carried out at a suitable German host institution, such as a state or state-recognised German university or an eligible non-university research institute.
Applicants must secure an academic host in Germany and agree on the research project and work schedule before submission.
The application requires written confirmation from the German academic host indicating willingness to supervise the project and confirming that an appropriate workplace will be provided.
The application package also includes a scientific-supervisor declaration covering research ethics and research-safety considerations where applicable.
2027 Application Deadlines
India route: current 2027 rounds
| Application deadline | 7 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Selection | Approximately February 2027 |
| Earliest funding start | May 2027 |
| Second application deadline | 4 March 2027 |
| Second-round selection | Approximately May 2027 |
| Earliest second-round funding start | July 2027 |
Applicants from other countries should not use the India dates automatically. DAAD deadlines differ by country and sometimes by funding-start period.
The DAAD portal closes at 24:00 CET/CEST on the final application day unless the country-specific call states otherwise.
Required Application Documents
The current DAAD application package includes the following core materials:
- a tabular CV of maximum 3 pages;
- a publication list of maximum 10 pages, mandatory for postdoctoral applicants;
- a motivation letter of approximately 1–2 pages;
- a self-prepared research proposal of maximum 10 pages;
- a detailed research work schedule;
- doctoral admission or enrolment evidence for doctoral researchers;
- written confirmation from the German academic host;
- the scientific-supervisor declaration covering ethics/research safety as applicable;
- relevant university degree certificates;
- undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts;
- one recent supporting recommendation; and
- optional evidence of employment, professional experience or extracurricular engagement where relevant.
India-specific postal requirement
For the current India route, DAAD also requires one printed copy of the Application Summary generated by the DAAD portal to be sent by post to the stated application address.
How to Apply
- Check your country route. Confirm that Research Grants in Germany is available for your country and note the exact deadline.
- Identify a German host. Contact a suitable professor or research group and agree on the proposed project.
- Develop the research proposal and work schedule. Ensure the planned stay is realistic within the 2–12 month doctoral or 2–6 month postdoctoral limit.
- Obtain host confirmation. Secure written confirmation of supervision and workplace provision.
- Prepare the full DAAD document set. Include CV, transcripts, motivation, proposal, recommendation and required declarations.
- Submit through the DAAD portal. Complete the online application before the country-specific deadline.
- Complete any country-specific offline step. For India, send the printed Application Summary as required by the current call.
How DAAD Selects Applicants
DAAD evaluates applications across three broad dimensions:
- academic qualification and research record;
- quality and feasibility of the proposed research project; and
- applicant potential, including motivation and the expected career value of the research stay.
Reviewers may consider academic performance, publications and research achievements, originality and relevance of the proposal, appropriateness of the German host, feasibility of the work plan, professional goals and relevant non-academic engagement.
Pre-Submission Checklist
- Correct country-specific DAAD route identified
- Exact deadline confirmed
- Doctoral/postdoctoral timing rule satisfied
- 15-month Germany-residence rule checked
- German host secured
- Host confirmation obtained
- 3-page CV prepared
- Publication list prepared where required
- 1–2 page motivation letter completed
- Research proposal kept within 10 pages
- Research work schedule completed
- Supervisor ethics/research-safety declaration prepared
- Degree certificates and transcripts ready
- Recommendation obtained
- DAAD portal submission completed before the deadline
- India applicants: printed Application Summary sent as instructed
DAAD Research Grants 2027: Duration, Host and Eligibility Questions
Can I use this grant for my entire PhD in Germany?
No. This programme funds a research stay in Germany during a doctorate or in the early postdoctoral phase. It does not fund an entire doctorate undertaken at a German university.
How long can doctoral researchers stay?
Doctoral researchers can receive funding for 2 to 12 months.
How long can postdoctoral researchers stay?
Early postdoctoral researchers can receive funding for 2 to 6 months.
How recent must the doctorate be?
Doctoral applicants should normally have started their doctorate no more than three years before the application deadline. Postdoctoral applicants should normally have completed their doctorate no more than four years before the deadline.
Do I need a German academic host?
Yes. The proposed research project must be carried out at a state or state-recognised university or a non-university research institute in Germany in agreement with a scientific supervisor in Germany.
Can I split the grant into several separate stays?
No. DAAD states that the funded period cannot be divided into separate stays and the scholarship cannot be extended.
Can I apply if I have already lived in Germany?
An application cannot be considered if the applicant has been resident in Germany for more than 15 months by the application deadline.
Do I need German-language proficiency?
The required language depends on the subject and project. Good German is usually expected in areas such as the arts, social sciences and law, while good English may be accepted in natural sciences and engineering when English is the working language at the host institute.
Do documents need certified translations at application stage?
DAAD allows scanned non-certified documents to be uploaded initially, but documents in another language must also include German or English translations. DAAD may later request certified copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a full DAAD PhD scholarship in Germany?
No. Research Grants in Germany funds a defined research stay. Doctoral applicants normally remain enrolled in a doctorate outside Germany.
How much does the 2027 grant provide?
The current monthly scholarship is €1,400, with additional benefits that may apply depending on duration and personal circumstances.
How long can doctoral researchers stay?
Doctoral researchers can receive funding for 2–12 months.
Can postdocs apply?
Yes. Early postdoctoral researchers can receive funding for 2–6 months, subject to the current eligibility rules.
What are the India deadlines?
The current India route lists 7 October 2026 and 4 March 2027 as application deadlines for two different 2027 funding-start rounds.
Can the grant be extended or split?
No. Under the current rules, the funding period cannot be divided into multiple stays and cannot be extended.
Official Sources
| Programme | DAAD Research Grants in Germany |
|---|---|
| Monthly scholarship | €1,400 |
| Doctoral duration | 2–12 months |
| Postdoc duration | 2–6 months |
| Deadline | Country-specific |
| Last verified | 20 September 2026 |
