DAAD Germany STEM Scholarships aim to foster the skills and employability of young academics and aspiring professionals from developing and emerging nations.
The program provides a chance to pursue advanced studies and professional growth in STEM fields in Germany, specializing in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and engineering.
Eligibility for the DAAD Germany STEM Scholarships
The scholarship programme is aimed at high-achieving students from developing and emerging countries who would like to complete a Master’s degree in the STEM subjects at a German university.
You can apply if you have completed your studies with a first degree recognised in Germany (e.g. Bachelor’s degree) by the application deadline at the latest.
If you already have a Master’s degree, you cannot apply.
Funding
Funding is available for a complete Master’s degree (full-time, on-campus) at a state or state-recognised university in Germany in the STEM subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering.
Interdisciplinary degree programmes must have a designated STEM focus. It must be a tuition-free Master’s degree programme.
Funding for a master’s programme already started in Germany cannot be granted.
Duration of the funding
Funding is provided for 10 months to a maximum of 24 months. It depends on the standard period of study of the chosen full-time Master’s degree programme.
Please state the entire period for which you wish to apply for a scholarship in your application. For example, if you are planning a 2-year degree programme, you must directly indicate two years as the desired scholarship duration in your application.
After the first year of study, your academic achievements will be assessed. If this shows that you will successfully complete your programme within a reasonable period of time, the scholarship will continue as planned.
The scholarship usually begins on 1st October of the following year, or earlier if you take a German language course prior to the study programme.
- Monthly scholarship payments of 992 euros
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover (see also our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 4)
- Travel allowance
- Annual study allowance of 460 euros
Selection Criteria for DAAD Germany STEM Scholarships
Only complete applications with all mandatory documents will be considered.
Incomplete applications will be excluded for formal reasons.
A pre-selection will be made based on the submitted application documents. The pre-selected applicants will be invited to a (digital) interview with an independent selection committee of university teachers.
The personal interview is a decisive element in assessing the authenticity of the application and the individual qualities of the applicants and evaluating them appropriately.
Academic qualification
- academic achievements
- course of studies
- knowledge of the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
- if applicable, relevant internships, work experience
Quality of the study project
- Quality of the study project and of the preparation (preliminary information, choice of degree pro-gramme, host university and establishment of contacts)
- Integration of the project into the academic career path
Potential of the applicant
- Motivation: academic and personal reasons for the stay in Germany, German language skills (if different from the working language);
- Prospects: Significance of the stay in Germany for further academic, professional and personal development.
- Extracurricular commitment: extracurricular knowledge and skills, social commitment.
In addition, the selection committee will give due consideration to aspects of equal opportunities, on which you can provide information in the application form. Examples of ‘special life circumstances’ are
- disability
- chronic or prolonged illness
- raising children
- caring for relatives
- refugee background
- extensive employment required to finance studies.
How to Apply for DAAD Germany STEM Scholarships
To apply, submit your application online here.
Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after start of funding:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family.
- In case of a disability or chronic illness
- Reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel
To allow you to improve your language skills, the DAAD offers the following benefits on application (only for a funding period of more than six months):
- Payment of course fees for an online language course after receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter
- if necessary: German language course in Germany before the start of the research project; the DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and project.
- Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the scholarship period
- Reimbursement of the fee for a TestDaF or DSH test, which you can take either in your home country after you have received your Letter of Award or in Germany during your funding period.
Please note that the DAAD does not cover tuition fees.