DAAD Scholarship in Germany for Indian Students: Eligibility Requirements & Steps to Apply

The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), known in English as the German Academic Exchange Service, is the world's largest funding organisation supporting over 100,000 German and international students and researchers. These scholarships are primarily aimed at graduates, doctoral students and postdocs for study and research visits to universities and non-university research institutions in Germany.

DAAD for Indian students provides a wide range of academic programs at different study levels, including undergraduate, graduate and PhD degrees, as well as short-term courses and research projects. Indian students are eligible for 25 DAAD scholarships, out of 188 scholarship programs available. Eligible applicants must have completed their prior degree with a minimum aggregate of 85% and must have at least two years of work experience.

DAAD scholarships usually consist of a monthly scholarship payment (currently, for example, € 934 for graduates and € 1,200 for Doctoral/PhD students) and a flat-rate travel allowance. In many cases, DAAD also provides health, accident and personal liability insurance. Depending on the scholarship program, there are also additional benefits such as a one-off research allowance, family benefits or funds for language courses.

What is a DAAD Scholarship?

The DAAD Scholarship, provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), is a prestigious funding program for international students, graduates, and academics pursuing higher education or research in Germany. This scholarship is highly sought after due to its comprehensive nature, which often includes tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and health insurance. Targeted at students from all academic disciplines, the DAAD Scholarship supports a wide range of academic pursuits, from Masters and PhD programs to research projects in Germany. Renowned for its contribution to fostering international academic relations and exchange, the DAAD Scholarship is a cornerstone of global academic collaboration and cultural exchange. This program not only provides financial assistance but also opens doors to a vast network of academic and professional opportunities in Germany and beyond.

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Exploring the Spectrum of DAAD Scholarships

The DAAD offers a broad spectrum of scholarships to Indian students who are interested in studying in Germany. These scholarships cater to various fields of study such as Engineering, Social Sciences, Medicine and Media Studies, among others. This wide range of academic and professional fields allows students to expand their learning horizons.

Some of the DAAD scholarships for Indian students for various degree programs:

Bilateral Exchange of Academics: This scholarship offers an opportunity for faculty, academicians and scientists from IITs and CSIR labs to fund travel and research stays at the state or state-recognised universities or non-university research institutes in Germany.

Development-Related Postgraduate Courses [EPOS]: The EPOS programme offers individual scholarships to participants from developing countries to study development-related postgraduate courses at selected universities in Germany.

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowship Programme: This programme is intended for highly qualified foreign doctoral and postdoctoral students as well as senior scientists from the fields of Aeronautics, Space, Transportation and Energy. It offers outstanding scientists and researchers the opportunity to conduct special research at the institutes of the DLR in Germany.

Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master's Scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance- PPGG): This programme supports future leaders from developing countries who strive to promote democracy and social justice. It offers the chance to acquire a Master's degree in disciplines that are of special relevance for the social, political and economic development in their countries of origin.

India IIT Master-Sandwich-Programme [IIT]: This scholarship in Germany gives students from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) the opportunity to complete project work as part of their Master's thesis under the guidance of a German professor at one of the TU9 Technical Universities.

Master of European Law [MEL]: This programme is designed for students who are interested in the institutional structure of the Union and the manner in which co

Eligibility Requirements for a DAAD Scholarship

The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) offers various scholarships for Indian students, to pursue studies in Germany. Here's an overview of the pathway for Indian students to qualify for a DAAD scholarship:

Eligibility Criteria: Eligible applicants must have completed their prior degree with a minimum aggregate of 85%. Each candidate must have at least two years of work experience, be it in terms of field research, employment or graduate assistantship.

Language Skills: Excellent English language proficiency is required, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory but highly recommended.

Academic Grades: Minimum aggregate of 8.5 CGPA or 85% or equivalent depending upon the applied degree.

Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of work experience, research work, teaching/graduate assistantship is required.

Research Proposal/SOP: Applicants need to submit a short 500- 1000 word research proposal/ SOP. In some cases, a CV is sufficient.

Application Process: The DAAD application process for most scholarship programs takes place in two steps: Complete the online application form and upload the documents.

Benefits: DAAD scholarships offer a monthly stipend (for postgraduate students- EUR 861, for doctoral students- up to EUR 1200), travel expenses, health insurance, benefits for individuals with disabilities and family members benefits.

Documents Required to Apply for DAAD Scholarship

We have given a checklist of some of the important documents you need to submit when you apply for the DAAD Scholarship. They are given below.

1. Copy of your passport
2. Certified copies of your academic certificates
3. Language proficiency test scorecard
4. Letter of motivation
5. Letters Of Recommendation (LORs)
6. Invitation letter from your German supervisor
7. Passport-size photograph
8. CV and cover letter
9. A research proposal if applying for a research grant
10. Statement Of Purpose (SOP)/Letter of Intent
11. Proof of work experience
12. NOC

How to Apply for a DAAD Scholarship in Germany 2024-25?

You just need to follow two steps to apply for the DAAD Scholarship in 2024-25. We have described them below for your reference.

1. Step 1: Begin the online application process via the DAAD portal, which opens around six weeks before the application deadline. After you finish filling out the application form, you can upload the following documents.
   1. Online application form
   2. NOC
   3. All academic documents
   4. CV
   5. Invitation letter from a German supervisor
2. Step 2: You will then be directed to the next page, where you can verify your application package and download a PDF file. You should also mail the following documents to your nearest DAAD office.
   1. A copy of the application summary is generated in the portal (PDF).
   2. A recent reference from your previous university teacher.

All Indian students can post the application package at the following address.

Regional Office New Delhi
German Academic Exchange Service
Regional Office of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka
c/o DLTA Complex, R.K. Khanna Stadium, 1 Africa Avenue
1100029 New Delhi
India

Tel: +91(11)/6646-5500
Fax: +91(11)/6646-5555
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DAAD Scholarship Application Deadline

It's important to note that the DAAD application deadline varies depending on the specific scholarship program and the academic field. Generally, application deadlines for various programs are set throughout the year, with many falling between August and October for the following academic year.

For instance, as per recent updates, application deadlines for DAAD SEARCA scholarships are in January, while other general DAAD scholarships for the academic year 2024-2025 may have deadlines in October 2024. Applicants are advised to meticulously check the specific deadlines for their chosen program on the DAAD's official website or through their respective educational institutions. Keeping abreast of these deadlines is pivotal in ensuring a successful application process. Remember, each program under the DAAD umbrella may have unique deadlines, and it's imperative to verify these dates for the specific course or research project you are interested in.

Factors Affecting DAAD Scholarship Selection Process

All DAAD Scholarships have a selection committee that will evaluate all the applications. Depending upon the scholarship program, this committee will be established locally (in India for Indian students) and in Germany. This selection process for the DAAD Scholarship for Indian students will be based on the following factors.

• Academic achievements
• Research proposal/work experience
• Quality of the project
• Duration of research/fieldwork

Benefits of DAAD Scholarships

Here are the comprehensive financial benefits of DAAD Scholarships for Indian students:

• Monthly Stipend: DAAD scholarships provide a monthly allowance of at least 934 EUR (1050 USD) for masters and 1,200 EUR (1,348 USD) for Ph.D. recipients.
• Travel Allowance: A flat-rate travel allowance is provided to cover travel expenses.
• Health Insurance: Health insurance is covered for all the recipients of DAAD scholarships.
• Accident and Personal Liability Insurance: This insurance is also covered under the scholarship.
• Research Allowance: A research allowance is provided to support the scholars' research activities.
• Family Benefits: DAAD scholarships also provide family benefits.
• Rent Subsidy: A subsidy for monthly rent is provided to make living in Germany affordable.
• Language Course Funds: Funds for a preparatory language course are also provided.

DAAD Scholarships in Germany offer Indian students a golden opportunity to pursue their academic dreams. With comprehensive financial benefits and a track record of successful alumni, it's a gateway to global exposure and academic excellence. It's indeed a stepping stone for Indian scholars aspiring to make their mark globally.

Take the first step towards your academic journey in Germany with DAAD Scholarships. Reach out to AECC now and move forward towards your global academic goals.

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