Application Deadline: 15th April 2026
The application period for the 2026 edition of the DAAD Hilde Domin Scholarship Programme is now open. This initiative is managed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded by the Federal Foreign Office (AA) of Germany. Its primary mission is to assist students and doctoral researchers worldwide who face the risk of being denied educational or fundamental rights—either officially or in practice—in their home countries. The programme offers these individuals the chance to start or continue their studies or research at a recognized higher education institution in Germany.
Recipients of this scholarship are granted support for a degree program tailored to their academic background and personal interests. The funding provided is designed to cover all necessary expenses related to their educational or research stay in Germany.
Who Should Apply?
The scholarship targets global students pursuing a master’s degree and doctoral candidates who are endangered by circumstances in their countries of origin. This threat may arise from their ethnic, sexual, gender, or religious identity, or due to their political or civic activism. The programme is specifically aimed at those who face formal or informal denial of educational opportunities or other essential rights.
Eligibility and Nomination Criteria
- Applicants can be master’s students or doctoral candidates from any academic field except human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and law.
- Candidates must demonstrate or credibly prove to their nominating institution that their personal safety or well-being is at risk. Such risks might include physical violence, arbitrary arrest, or the revocation of civil and educational rights.
- Applicants should hold academic certificates that qualify them for higher education admission and correspond to the intended degree program, as verified through the anabin database.
- At the time of nomination, candidates should not be residing in Germany or any European Union country.
Duration of Scholarship Support
| Degree Type | Maximum Funding Duration |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | Up to 24 months |
| Doctoral Degree | Up to 48 months |
Scholarship Benefits
The financial package associated with this scholarship includes:
- A monthly stipend amounting to 992 EUR for master’s students and 1,300 EUR for doctoral candidates.
- Comprehensive health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage.
- Travel allowance, determined according to the applicant’s country of origin or current residence.
- If required, participation in a preparatory German language course lasting two, four, or six months, depending on the applicant’s prior language proficiency and the demands of the intended study or research program.
- Additional financial assistance where applicable.
How to Apply and Nomination Process
Nominating institutions and organizations can submit their candidates online at any time. However, applications must adhere to the following timeline for candidates planning to commence studies in the summer semester of 2027:
- Nomination deadline: 15th March 2026
- Application window: 17th March to 15th April 2026
For comprehensive details about the scholarship, application procedures, and eligibility, prospective applicants and nominating bodies are encouraged to Visit the Official Webpage of the DAAD Hilde Domin Scholarship Programme.
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