DAAD Scholarships 2026: A Guide to Germany's Most Prestigious Scholarship Program
A detailed guide on what DAAD scholarships are, who can apply, the scholarship amount, application criteria and the application process. An opportunity for Turkish students.
In Turkey, almost every student who says "I want to go to Germany but I don't have the budget" has heard of DAAD in one way or another. DAAD is not just a scholarship program; it is a door for the career-minded, a bridge for academics and an opportunity for those who dream of studying in Germany.
In this guide, Turkish students who plan to go to Germany in 2026 and need financial support will find everything about DAAD scholarships: how to apply, who can apply, how much support is provided and what share of applicants are accepted.
What Is DAAD? History and Mission
Definition
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), the German Academic Exchange Service, is a scholarship organization supported by the German government that provides funding for international students to study in Germany.
History
- Founded: 1925 (over a century of history)
- Headquarters: Bonn (with an office in Berlin too)
- Purpose: international education and cultural exchange
- Funding: the German government + EU funds + private institutions
Why Is DAAD Important?
- Fully non-repayable (no repayment, no debt)
- Around €934 per month for a master's
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Prestigious: the line "DAAD scholar" on a CV increases its career value
- One of the best-known scholarship programs in Turkey
Types of DAAD Scholarships: Which Programs Are There?
1. Master's Scholarships (MA-Programm)
- For whom: those with a bachelor's degree who will pursue a master's
- Scholarship amount: €934 per month + health insurance + travel support
- Duration: 12–24 months (depending on program length)
- Requirements: bachelor's GPA 3.0+/4.0, IELTS 6.5+ or TestDaF 4x4, strong motivation and academic success
- Acceptance rate: roughly 3–5% of applicants from Turkey (very selective)
2. Doctoral Scholarships (PhD-Programm)
- For whom: those with a master's degree who will pursue a doctorate
- Scholarship amount: around €970 per month + research/conference fund + health insurance
- Duration: 36–48 months
- Requirements: master's GPA 3.2+, IELTS 7.0+ or TestDaF C1, a Research Proposal, approval of the doctoral supervisor
- Acceptance rate: roughly 2–3% of applicants from Turkey (very selective)
3. Short-Term Scholarships
- For whom: students studying in Germany who are in the thesis-writing phase (3–6 months)
- Scholarship amount: €934 per month
- Application: through the university
4. Postdoctoral Scholarships
- For whom: those who have completed their doctorate and are in the early stage of their career
- Scholarship amount: €1,200–2,000 depending on the research level
DAAD Application Criteria: Who Can Apply?
Mandatory Criteria
- Citizenship: a Turkish citizen (or resident in Turkey), or an international student registered in Germany
- Education: a bachelor's degree (for a master's), a master's degree (for a doctorate)
- Academic success: GPA 3.0+/4.0 for a master's, 3.2+/4.0 for a doctorate
- Language certificate: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+; TestDaF 4x4 for German-taught programs
- Program start: it must not have started yet at the time of application, or be within the first 2 semesters
Preferred (Non-Mandatory) Criteria
- Publications, patents or research experience
- Volunteer work in social projects
- Leadership experience
- Participation in social responsibility projects
Situations Where You Cannot Apply
- Students who earned their first degree in Germany (a degree from another country is required)
- Those who have previously received a DAAD scholarship
- Those rejected twice (they can no longer apply)
The DAAD Application Process: Step by Step
Step 1 — DAAD website (daad.de): in the "Scholarships" section, use "Find Scholarships" to search for master's/doctoral scholarships, filter by Turkey, and check the criteria and application deadline on each program's "Details" page.
Step 2 — Application account: on DAAD's own portal (daad-portal.daad.de), register with your email and a password via "Create new account" and complete the email confirmation.
Step 3 — Prepare your application file. Documents required for a master's:
- CV (German/English) — at most 2 pages
- Motivation letter — 500–750 words
- Bachelor's transcript — notarized German translation
- Bachelor's diploma — notarized German translation
- Language certificate — original IELTS/TestDaF
- Reference letters — 2–3 from university lecturers
- Academic interests form — DAAD's own form
- Photo — 3x4 cm, white background
Additional documents for a doctorate:
- Research Proposal — 1–2 pages
- Doctoral supervisor's letter — from the professor in Germany
- Master's transcript — notarized translation
- Master's diploma — notarized translation
Step 4 — Uploading to the portal: log in to the portal, upload each document as a PDF, complete the checklist and press SUBMIT before the deadline.
Step 5 — Application timeline:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | December 2025 |
| Application deadline | 31 January 2026 |
| Initial evaluation | February–March 2026 |
| Panel interview (for those selected) | June 2026 |
| Results announced | October 2026 |
| Scholarship begins | September 2027 |
Reasons for Failure in a DAAD Application
- Insufficient academic success: GPA below 3.0, low course grades
- Missing/low language certificate: IELTS below 6.5 or insufficient TestDaF
- Weak motivation letter: generic statements, no research into the program/university, spelling errors
- Insufficient reference letters: from random people, shallow and generic content
- Weak research proposal (doctorate): an unclear research question, lack of methodology, absence of academic depth
Avoiding Failure
- Postpone your application until your GPA exceeds 3.0
- Get a good score on the language exam (6.5+ IELTS)
- Set aside 2–3 weeks for the motivation letter
- Get references from associate professors or professors
- Write a genuine research proposal, not a superficial one
Frequently Asked Questions
Must my GPA absolutely be 3.0 for a DAAD scholarship?+
Yes, that is the minimum criterion. If you apply with 2.9, your chance of acceptance is very low.
I am not yet enrolled in a master's program — can I apply?+
Usually no. At the time of application you are expected to be enrolled at the university or to have received an offer; apply after you have been accepted.
Can I work with a DAAD scholarship?+
Yes. Within the legal right to work, you can work 20 hours a week; DAAD does not prohibit this.
Can my family come with me on a DAAD scholarship?+
The scholarship is only for the student. If family members want to come, they need to provide their own financing.
How much does a DAAD scholarship pay?+
Around €934 per month for a master's. This amount covers the large part (60–70%) of the cost of living.
How many people from Turkey receive a DAAD scholarship?+
Roughly 100–150 people per year (master's + doctorate combined). The number of applicants runs into the thousands.
Conclusion: DAAD = Germany's Door
A DAAD scholarship is a genuine opportunity for students who want to go to Germany but face financial difficulties. The acceptance rate is low, but well-prepared Turkish students succeed every year.
- Start early (6 months before the application)
- Raise your GPA
- Write a good motivation letter
- Get references from academic lecturers
- Prepare a realistic research proposal
As the Toedur consultancy team, we offer guidance throughout the DAAD application process: from writing the motivation letter to coordinating reference letters, from preparing the application file to interview preparation, we are by your side at every step. Receiving a DAAD scholarship is not just about getting money; it is about becoming an "accepted" student in Germany.
