Scholarships in Germany — From DAAD to Deutschlandstipendium
A practical overview of the most accessible scholarships for international students in Germany, including DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, and university grants.
Good news: In most German federal states, there are no tuition fees. However, living expenses (rent, food, insurance) remain and this is where scholarships become important.
DAAD — The Largest Scholarship Source
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers hundreds of scholarship programs. Most DAAD scholarships are for Master's and PhD levels and typically include:
- Monthly stipend (€992 for Master's; €1,300 to €1,400 for PhD candidates as of 2026)
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance contributions
- Flat-rate travel allowance
- Annual study/research allowance
Official database: Visit daad.de/en and filter by your subject and country.
Deutschlandstipendium
Germany's national scholarship: €300 per month for students with excellent grades regardless of nationality. Applications are made directly through your university, and the primary criterion is academic performance.
Political and Religious Foundations
Germany has 13 major foundations that offer full scholarships, including:
- Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung — with a focus on social justice
- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
- Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung — with a focus on the environment and human rights
In addition to grades, these foundations value your social and civic engagement.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start early: Deadlines for most scholarships are 6 to 12 months before the start of studies
- Write a strong Motivation Letter: Specific, honest, and aligned with the provider's goals
- Get reliable recommendation letters from professors who genuinely know you
- Apply to several scholarships simultaneously because competition is high, spread your chances
Tip: An official scholarship can replace the blocked account requirement in the visa process, killing two birds with one stone.
Important Advice: Because scholarships are highly competitive and their processing times can be uncertain, it is highly recommended to prepare the blocked account amount in parallel rather than solely waiting for a scholarship outcome. If you go ahead with a blocked account and subsequently win a scholarship, you can easily request a release of your blocked funds from your provider (with your scholarship certificate as proof), and the entire amount will be returned to you.
