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The DAAD EPOS Scholarship Programme is a prestigious initiative offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) aimed at professionals from developing countries. This programme supports master’s and doctoral candidates pursuing development-related postgraduate courses at select German institutions, enhancing their expertise in fields vital for global socio-economic development.
This scholarship offers full financial support, covering tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and travel costs. Beyond academics, DAAD EPOS fosters leadership, collaboration, and international networking, empowering scholars to return home with advanced skills to contribute significantly to their nations.
Eligibility and Who Can Apply
- Eligible Candidates:
- Graduates with at least two years’ professional experience from eligible (development/newly industrialised) countries.
- Note: Refer to the full list of eligible countries on the DAAD website.
- Academic Requirements:
- Possession of a Bachelor’s degree (usually a four-year course) in a related field.
- Outstanding academic record (top third performance).
- Relevant professional experience (minimum two years after the Bachelor’s degree).
- The academic degree should generally be no older than six years.
- Other Considerations:
- Applicants who have resided in Germany for more than 15 months at the application deadline are ineligible.
- Ensure candidates demonstrate motivation related to development and social responsibility.
Scholarship Funding and Benefits
- Funding Overview:
- Duration: Funding ranges from 12 to 42 months, depending on the chosen study programme.
- Monthly Stipends:
- For Graduates (Master’s): Approximately 992 euros per month.
- For Doctoral Candidates: Approximately 1,300 euros per month.
- Additional Benefits:
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
- Travel allowance (if not covered by the home country or another source).
- Under certain conditions, additional monthly benefits such as:
- Rent subsidy
- Allowance for accompanying family members
Language Requirements
- German Courses:
- A preparatory 6-month German language course is included in the scholarship.
- Applicants must pass the language examination (DSH 2 or TestDaF 4) before the study programme commences.
- A minimum of B1 German language proficiency is required at the time of application (supported by a valid certificate).
- English Courses:
- Proven adequate language skills as per the specific course requirements.
- Typically involves standardized tests (such as IELTS or TOEFL, with institutional TOEFL not accepted).
Application Documents and Process
- Mandatory Documents:
- Completed and signed checklist (See the checklist here).
- EPOS application form: Answers should be typed or clearly legible.
- Curriculum Vitae: In reverse chronological order using the Europass template (Create Your CV here), detailing academic background and professional experience.
- Letter of Motivation:
- Must cover academic, professional, and personal reasons for applying.
- Tip for Multiple Courses: Provide detailed reasons for each course choice and prioritization (maximum of 3 courses), using one unified letter.
- Letter of Recommendation: Should come from the current employer on official letterhead, stamped, signed, and dated.
- Employment Certificates: Demonstrate at least two years of professional experience, including, if possible, a guarantee of re-employment.
- Proof of Language Skills:
- For English: IELTS or TOEFL scores.
- For German: Certification as per course requirements.
- Degree Certificates: Copies of higher education certifications, with certified translations for non-German/English documents.
- Transcript of Records: Include an explanation of the grading system if not embedded within the transcript.
- Additional Requirement: APS Certificate for applicants from the People’s Republic of China.
- Important Reminders:
-
- Applications must be complete and submitted in English or German.
- Any incomplete application may result in disqualification.
- Submission Location: Send your complete application directly to the chosen study programme; DAAD will not forward applications.
Selection Procedure
- Step-by-Step Process:
- Submission: Send your complete application(s) directly to the respective postgraduate course.
- Selection Committee: A committee reviews and suggests potential candidates for the DAAD scholarship.
- Contact and Upload: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application (PDF files) to the DAAD Portal.
- Final Selection: The process concludes with final candidate selection and notification.
- Note:
-
- Keep copies of all submitted documents ready in PDF format in case they are requested again during the upload process.
Application Deadlines
- Deadline Variability:
- The application deadlines vary according to the chosen study programme.
- Action Item: Check the scholarship brochure or the official website of your chosen study programme for the specific deadline details.
Additional Information and Tips
- Multiple Course Applications:
- Applicants may apply to a maximum of three postgraduate courses.
- Ensure the letter of motivation clearly explains your priority order and reasons for each course selection. Failure to do so may result in disqualification or withdrawal of an already awarded scholarship.
- Important Best Practices:
- Always verify the specific document requirements on the respective course website to ensure compliance.
- Maintain up-to-date copies of all required documents to facilitate a smooth upload process if shortlisted.
How to Apply for the DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2026/27
Select your country on the official DAAD website to review specific procedures.
Apply directly to the German university offering your chosen program—DAAD does not accept direct scholarship applications.
Submit your application package as instructed by the host university before the program’s deadline.
For more detail information see the official source here!
Placeholder for Postgraduate Courses Table
Detailed Table of Postgraduate Courses and Application Deadlines:
| Field | Programme | Institution | Language | Degree | Duration | Deadline | Second Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Sciences/Business Administration/Political Economics | Master's Programme in International and Development Economics (MIDE) | HTW Berlin | English | MA | 17 months | 31.08.2025 | See website |
| MSc Development Economics | GAU Göttingen | English | MSc | 24 months | 01.10 - 15.11.2025 | See website | |
| Small Enterprise Promotion and Training (SEPT) | U Leipzig | English | MBA | 22 months | 01.10.2025 | 15.03.2026 | |
| Development Cooperation | Development Management | RU Bochum | English | MA | 18 months | 30.09.2025 | See website |
| Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security | U Bonn | English | MSc | 24 months | 15.12.2025 | See website | |
| Engineering and Related Sciences | Hydro Science and Engineering | TU Dresden | English | MSc | 24 months | 15.10.2025 | See website |
| Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology | TU Dresden | German | MSc | 24 months | 15.09.2025 | See website | |
| Sustainable Renewable Energy Technologies (SuRE) | U Oldenburg | English | MSc | 24 months | 15.10.2025 | 15.01.2026 | |
| Air Quality Control, Solid Waste and Waste Water Process Engineering (WASTE) | U Stuttgart | English | MSc | 24 months | 01.08 - 30.09.2025 | 15.11.2025 - 15.02.2026 | |
| Regional and Urban Planning | Natural Hazards and Risks in Structural Engineering (NHRE) | BU Weimar | English | MSc | 24 months | 15.10.2025 | See website |
| Urban Management (UM) | TU Berlin | English | MSc | 18 months | 31.08.2025 | 30.04.2026 | |
| SPRING - Regional Development Planning and Management | TU Dortmund | English | MSc | 24 months | 01.10.2025 | 01.05.2026 | |
| Agricultural and Forest Sciences | Tropical Forestry | TU Dresden | English | MSc | 24 months | 30.10.2025 | 30.05.2026 (Non-EU) / 15.07.2026 (EU) |
| Natural & Environmental Sciences | MSc Marine Biology - ISATEC | U Bremen | English | MSc | 24 months | 15.10.2025 | 30.04.2026 |
| Environmental Governance (MEG) | U Freiburg | English | MSc | 24 months | 15.10.2025 | See website | |
| Landscape Ecology & Nature Conservation (LENC) | U Greifswald | English | MSc | 24 months | 01.12.2025 | 01.03.2026 | |
| Medicine/Public Health | MSc International Health | Charité Berlin | English | MSc | 12 months | 31.10.2025 | 31.03.2026 |
| Social Sciences, Education and Law | Master of Laws in Intellectual Property and Competition Law | MIPLC Munich | English | LLM | 12 months | 15.10.2025 | 30.04.2026 |
| Media Studies | International Media Studies | DW Akademie | English | MA | 24 months | 15.03.2026 | 15.03.2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q1: What qualifies as “development and newly industrialised countries”?
A: Typically, countries that are recognized for their emerging economies and development challenges. - Q2: What if I am applying for courses in both German and English?
A: Ensure you meet the specific language requirements for each course, particularly the minimum proficiency tests. - Q3: Can I apply if I have less than two years of professional experience?
A: No, applicants must have at least two years of relevant experience post-Bachelor’s degree. - Q4: How important is the letter of motivation?
A: It is crucial as it conveys your academic, professional, and personal drive, along with your reasons for choosing multiple courses if applicable. - Q5: What documents are most commonly overlooked in applications?
A: Ensure you include certified translations of degree certificates (if required) and up-to-date employment certificates along with a clear explanation of the grading system.
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