Application Deadline: 15 April 2026
Invitation to Apply for the 2026/27 Hilde Domin Programme: A Fully Funded DAAD Scholarship Opportunity to Study in Germany
Programme Overview
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), with financial support from the Federal Foreign Office (AA), offers the “Hilde Domin Programme,” a scholarship initiative designed to assist international students and doctoral candidates who face formal or practical deprivation of educational or other fundamental rights in their home countries. This programme aims to grant these vulnerable individuals the chance to commence or finalize their academic or research degrees at a German higher education institution.
Recipients of this scholarship can pursue a degree program of their choice aligned with their qualifications. The funding provided covers essential expenses necessary for their study or research period in Germany.
The overarching objective of this DAAD scholarship is to enable beneficiaries to complete their higher education or research endeavors within a secure environment. Upon completion, awardees are expected to contribute positively to political, economic, and social development in their countries of origin, Germany, or other nations. Additionally, scholars will enhance their skills and knowledge through participation in interdisciplinary training sessions.
Nomination and Selection Process
Candidates cannot apply autonomously for the Hilde Domin Programme. Instead, nominations must come from the leadership (such as presidiums or rectorates) of German-based institutions or organizations that are legally registered and engage in activities related to science, research, education, human rights protection, promotion of peace and democracy, or the rule of law.
All nominations must be officially submitted by these authorized institutions through an online nomination form. This process requires completing a questionnaire detailing the nominee’s risk situation. Institutions interested in nominating candidates will receive access to the nomination form and the “Risk description form” upon request.
Following an initial plausibility review, DAAD will contact suitable nominees and invite them to submit their formal applications via DAAD’s online application portal. The submitted applications undergo thorough verification for completeness and formal accuracy by DAAD.
The ultimate selection is conducted by an independent committee appointed by DAAD, which evaluates both the risk status of candidates and their academic achievements.
Important Notes:
- Submitting multiple nominations for the same candidate does not increase their chances; one nomination per candidate is sufficient.
- Institutions may nominate as many eligible candidates as they wish.
- Nominations sent through other means (such as email, postal mail, or fax) will not be accepted or considered.
- DAAD has a limited number of scholarships to award. Therefore, only candidates who are genuinely at risk and demonstrate strong academic potential for studying in Germany should be nominated.
- Nominees must possess adequate knowledge of German or English, equivalent to level B2, by the nomination deadline to successfully undertake their degree program or research project.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship targets students aiming to pursue a master’s degree as well as doctoral candidates from around the world who face the risk of being denied educational or other fundamental rights due to their ethnic, sexual, gender, or religious identity, or because of their political or civic engagement.
Political and civic engagement is understood broadly to include participation, either individually or within groups, committed to liberal democratic values aimed at fostering positive social change.
Eligibility Criteria for Nomination
- Eligible candidates include master’s and doctoral students from all academic fields, excluding human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and law.
- Nominees must demonstrate or convincingly attest to threats to their personal safety or well-being, such as physical violence, arrests, or denial of civil and educational rights, to the nominating institution.
- Applicants must hold educational certificates that qualify them for admission to a higher education institution and support their pursuit of the intended academic degree, verifiable via the anabin database.
- Candidates should not already be residing in Germany or within the European Union at the time of nomination.
- Nominations in fields such as visual arts, performing arts, design, visual communication, music, film, and architecture must come exclusively from accredited higher education institutions. Such nominations must include a confirmation letter from the institution verifying the candidate’s academic aptitude in the relevant discipline and willingness to enroll the candidate if awarded the scholarship.
Duration of Funding
| Degree | Maximum Funding Period |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | Up to 24 months |
| Doctoral Degree | Up to 48 months |
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
- A monthly scholarship allowance currently amounting to €992 for master’s students and €1,300 for doctoral candidates.
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage.
- Travel allowance based on the candidate’s country of origin or current residence, where applicable.
- Participation in a preparatory German language course lasting two, four, or six months, tailored to the candidate’s existing language proficiency and the language requirements of the intended study or research program.
- Additional financial support where necessary.
Application Timeline
Nominations from eligible institutions and organizations can be submitted at any time online. However, key dates apply for the upcoming intake:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination Deadline for Summer Semester 2027 Intake | 15 March 2026 |
| Application Submission Window | 17 March – 15 April 2026 |
To submit a nomination or for more information, please Click Here To Apply.