DAAD Scholarship Guide 2022
The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst scholarship, commonly known as DAAD is the world’s biggest organisation that funds international students from impoverished backgrounds and developing countries. Founded in 1925, the organisation has to date funded around 2 million scholars both abroad and in Germany.
Aiming to provide access to the highest level of study and opportunities for research, and to educate future leader, DAAD aids countries that are still developing to establish university systems that are practical. The programs offered by the DAAD are taught in both German and English and are available on a wide range of subjects. So, let’s learn a little more about what the DAAD offers, this scholarship guide allow you to learn about the benefits that come with scholarships and how to apply.
Across Germany you will find many of the highest ranking universities in the world, living costs that are affordable, and a big variety of study options. Germany enjoys a constant steam of arrivals of international students from all over the globe, the country being the perfect location for international students to study. Degrees from Germany are valued globally, and German universities offer a wealth of personal and professional benefits to its students. However, the need for financial help in the form of scholarships is increasing on a daily basis. Thankfully, scholarships such as the DAAD scholarship exist, funding students and scholars with the intent of building bridging around the world and creating our future leaders.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE DAAD SCHOLARSHIP
The German service for academic exchange, also known as the DAAD has a clear focus. It funds students from all over the world who wish to carry on their further education abroad. Winners of this award receive a monthly stipend that will ensure all their expenses are covered whilst they are study. The requirements for this excellent scholarship opportunity are as follows:
Scholarships from the DAAD are given to students who wish to study in Germany and who wish to enroll on a full-time study course.
The applicant must already have attained a Bachelor degree, their certification being no more than 6 years old.
Applicants need to have at least 2 years of work experience, that must be proven when applying to the DAAD:
Depending on the choice of degree the student is opting for, there will be language requirements in German or English.
If you wish to come to Germany for at least 6 months, you must have previously lived in your own country of residence for a minimum of 1 year at the time of submitting your application.
If your wish to visit Germany for study for periods of time longer than 6 months, it is a requirement that you must already have attained your last degree in the country where you currently reside.
What is required in the DAAD Application Form?
Initially, the application will be made online. In order to start the application process, you must first register with the DAAD portal. Once you have done so, you will be able to gain access to the necessary application form. You will be required to submit the following information when filling in the DAAD application form:
Your Nationality and Full Name
The specific degree that you wish to apply for
Your place and date of birth, your gender, country of residence (permanent), and your academic title.
Your contact information
Your high school education history
Your higher education history, including the degrees you already hold
Duration of the degree or course you wish to apply for
Choice of institution/host University
Languages you speak, and to what level
Previous times you have been abroad for study or work purposes.
Your professional and practical work experience
Written proof of your current professional occupation
Required information for leave of absence
Your career and professional goals for the future
Your hobbies and extracurricular activities and interests.
Other Documents Required:
If your application is for a study scholarship, a letter of motivation must be submitted together with your application
If your application is for a research grant, you must include a detail proposal with your application.
You will be required to submit a reference that can be obtained from a university teacher.
AMOUNT OF THE DAAD SCHOLARSHIP STIPEND
Your will receive a monthly stipend, that will ensure that you can afford to pay your health insurance and living expenses. Some of your travel expenses may also be included.
Students who are postgraduates will receive a monthly stipend of €850
Students enrolled on doctoral course will receive €1,200
Doctoral students and postgraduate students will receive health coverage and insurance.
Doctoral students and postgraduate students may also receive a grant to cover travel costs
Included in the DAAD scholarship is free accommodation in university hall of residence dorms.
WHAT SHOULD I WRITE IN MY LETTER OF MOTIVATION?
Your letter of motivation should not be more than 3 pages in length, and is required as part of your application process. Included in the letter should be your professional and personal reasons for studying in Germany. Your personality should also be described in your letter of motivation, and should include:
Details of your skills, knowledge, and academic background. Number of degrees and semester, and other information on your studies, language skills, any prizes or awards you have received, and your professional experience.
Reasons for choosing the study programme you are applying for, why you have chosen a specific university, and your academic and personal expectations.
What you expect to achieve from your scholarship, this including your professional, academic, and personal goals.
Include your extracurricular activities and achievements, your personal interests, and the personal qualities you have that help to describe your character.
WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN MY PROPOSAL?
Applicants are required to submit a precise proposal when applying for a research grant. Within your proposal you should include a detailed description of the project you will work in, including:
The research you have already done, the research field in general terms, theories that you will go on to draw upon, the scientific model that you will be using, and the reasons for using these specific model.
Objectives, research questions, and the academic relevance of your chosen project.
The methods of data collection that you use and your strategies for research.
The academic titles and literature you will use
Any anticipated difficulties, in relation to the collection of data
Your research bibliography
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY LETTER OF REFERANCE?
Any letter of reference that you include for scientific subjects must have been written by a university teacher who has a doctoral degree. The chosen teacher who will write you a letter to be used as a reference should include the following in the letter:
Your personal and academic qualities
Your university achievements (academic)
Why the scholarship that you are applying for is significant for your professional and academic career.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR DAAD SCHOLARSHIPS
There are two main components to the selection criteria used; the academic achievements of the applicant as well as the level of quality of the project.
WILL MY FAMILY BE ABLE TO JOIN ME WHILST I AM STUDYING WITH A DAAD SCHOLARSHIP?
For courses that are less than 6 months in length, the DAAD will not fund any family visits and does not grant family benefits. Under certain circumstances, however, and when the funding period is more than 6 months, allowances may be available for children, accompanying spouses, and for health insurance for family members.
WHILST I AM ON MY DAAD SCHOLARSHIP, DO I PAY FEES?
The vast majority of universities across Germany are free from tuition charges and fees. However, depending on the location, you may be charged. In such cases, these fees will not be covered by the DAAD:
CAN I COMBINE MY STUDY WITH WORK?
If you wish to work part time whilst you are studying, you will be required to apply for approval from the DAAD. Consent should also be given by your course supervisor or coordinator. Any employment that you take on must only be part time, and must not interfere with your studies or with the purpose of your scholarship. If you work part time and earn more than €450 per month gross, the amount in excess of this amount will be deducted from your stipend.
DAAD SCHOLARSHIP DATABASE LINK