Official source: DAAD Scholarship Database — Study Scholarships: Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines
DAAD's Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines programme supports eligible postgraduate study in Germany. The official DAAD database is the source for current country/status eligibility, application dates and requirements. Select your status and the country from which you are applying before relying on any deadline.
The programme is not a universal offer for every country, status or subject. DAAD states that applicants whose selected country or status is not listed cannot apply through this programme. It also directs applicants in architecture, fine art/design/film, performing art and music to separate scholarship programmes.
What can be funded
DAAD states that this programme can fund either:
- a whole postgraduate or master's degree at a state or state-recognised university in Germany; or
- one year of study in Germany as part of a second or master's degree at the applicant's home university, where the credits gained in Germany are recognised by that university.
Funding is not available for a master's degree that has already begun in Germany. The official entry says funding is for degree programmes starting in the winter semester of the following year.
Duration and 2027 funding start
The published duration is 10 to 24 months, depending on the chosen programme. Funding is intended to cover the standard duration of the programme, up to a maximum of 24 months.
For this published cycle, funding must begin in 2027, usually on 1 October 2027, or earlier where a preceding German-language course is funded.
Published scholarship coverage
DAAD lists these core benefits for this programme:
- a scholarship payment of €992 per month;
- payments toward health, accident and personal-liability insurance cover;
- a travel allowance upon application; and
- an annual study allowance of €460.
DAAD explicitly states that it does not cover tuition fees.
Some additional benefits may be available only under specific conditions or on separate application. Do not assume eligibility for a rent subsidy, family allowance, disability-related support, language-course funding, or climate-travel support without checking the live DAAD conditions.
Key eligibility and application conditions
The official programme entry states that applicants must have completed a first degree, such as a bachelor's or Diplom, by the time funding begins. As a rule, the most recent university degree should not be more than six years old at the application deadline.
The entry also states that an application cannot be considered if the applicant has been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
Applicants must provide evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction for their selected programme. University admission requirements can be different from the DAAD funding application requirements. If admission is not available when the scholarship application is submitted, DAAD says it must be provided before the funding period begins.
Dates and how to apply
DAAD says its application deadlines are updated annually. Applications for this programme can be made from 1 June until the deadline shown for the applicant's selected country and status.
1. Open the official DAAD scholarship-database entry.
2. Select your status and the country from which you are applying.
3. Confirm that the programme is available to you and record the live deadline.
4. Check the listed application documents and the host university's admission requirements.
5. Complete the online application in the DAAD portal during the applicable application period.
Do not use a generic deadline, assume that every country is eligible, or treat a DAAD scholarship as a guarantee of university admission or tuition coverage.