DAAD Research Grant for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers 2026

The research grant offers the opportunity to realize a research project in Germany. The programme supports research stays during a doctorate or in the early postdoc phase.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: April 3, 2026
2. Value: €1,400 monthly stipend + health/accident insurance + travel allowance + possible research allowance (€460 for >6 months) + optional family/rent/language subsidies
3. Study Level: Doctoral and Postdoctoral
4. Sponsor: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
5. Eligible Country: All countries

Eligibility Criteria for DAAD Research Grant for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers 2026

You can apply if you:

1. are doing your doctorate at a university or research institution outside Germany or
2. have already completed your doctorate (post-doc, up to 4 years after completing your doctorate)

You cannot apply if you are doing your entire doctorate at a German university.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Postgraduate Scholarship

An independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists reviews the applications.

The selection criteria are:

Academic Qualification

1. academic achievements (grade point average, development of grades)
2. academic progress
3. knowledge of the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
4. if applicable, scholarly achievements after graduation, (e.g. publications, lectures, conference papers)

Quality of research project

1. quality of research proposal and preparation (originality, topicality and relevance of the project; choice of host institution; and first contacts)
2. feasibility and consistency of study plan and schedule
3. incorporation of project within the overall doctorate (in terms of content and time), if relevant

Potential of the applicant

1. career prospects: significance of the research project and stay in Germany for further academic, professional and personal development
2. motivation: academic and personal reasons for wanting to visit Germany, German language skills (if different from working language)
3. non-study-related activities: non-study-related knowledge and skills, civic engagement

The selection committee also gives due consideration to equal opportunities; you can provide relevant information in the application form (see important scholarship information, section E, point 3).

For more information on the selection procedure, go to important scholarship information, section E.

Benefits of DAAD Research Grant for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers 2026

1. A research project at a state or state-recognized university or a non-university research institute in Germany, which is being carried out in agreement with a scientific supervisor in Germany.

Duration of the funding

Funding is provided for a period of:

1. doctoral students: 2 to 12 months
2. postdocs: 2 to 6 months

It is not possible to divide the funding up within the funding period. The realization of research work in different countries outside Germany is not eligible for funding.

Please indicate your desired funding period in the application form. The funding must begin in 2026. The funding period will be determined by the selection committee during the selection process, taking your work schedule into account.

The scholarship cannot be extended.

Value

1. monthly scholarship payments of 1,400 euros
2. payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover (see also our important information for scholarship applicants/section F, point 4)
3. travel allowance
4. for a funding period of more than six months: research allowance of 460 euros

Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after start of funding:

1. monthly rent subsidy, only for a funding period of more than six months (see important information for scholarship applicants, section F, point 9)
2. monthly allowance for accompanying members of family, only for a funding period of more than six months; please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 3
3. In case of a disability or chronic illness: on application, a subsidy may be provided for justified additional costs incurred abroad that are necessary to realise the project in Germany and that are not covered by a third party; whether and to what extent a subsidy will be paid, will be reviewed and determined on an individual basis (see important information for scholarship applicants, section F, point 8)
4. Green Mobility Top Up (subsidy for climate-friendly travel) or reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel

To allow you to improve your language skills in preparation for your stay in Germany, the DAAD offers the following benefits (only for a funding period of more than six months):

1. Payment of course fees for an online language course after receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter
2. if necessary: a 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 the project.
3. Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the scholarship period
4. 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.

Benefits from third parties are partially credited towards the DAAD scholarship. Information on this can be found in the important scholarship information in section F, point 6.

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit DAAD scholarship webpage.

Application Deadline

April 3, 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for DAAD Research Grant for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers 2026