DAAD Scholarships - Eligibility, Application Process, Benefits

When it comes to studying in Germany, you can expect not only world-class educations but at very little to no tuition fee in most universities. In addition to being cost-efficient for education, Germany is a large economy with countless job opportunities for international graduates making it one of the most ideal destinations to study abroad. 

This article is about how students can get a chance to pursue their Masters, Doctoral and Post-doctoral studies in Germany through DAAD scholarships. The scholarships are designed to support especially talented students or students in need. A wide range of organizations in Germany accept applications for scholarships. They select their scholarship holders primarily on the basis of academic, social, or personal characteristics, and provide them with a specified amount of financial aid. There are also subject-related scholarships that are awarded by research institutions, companies, or private individuals. DAAD scholarship is one such German scholarship program financed through public funding bodies for 1 lakh German and international students and researchers around the globe.

DAAD scholarships

The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) Scholarships is the world's largest funding organization for international students in Germany. Ever since its establishment in 1925, it has funded nearly two million scholars in Germany and abroad.

What are the DAAD scholarship requirements?

DAAD scholarship eligibility may vary as there are close to 200 scholarship programs available to international students. However, there are some basic requirements for the DAAD scholarships that all applicants must meet.

• Excellent English language proficiency with a minimum accepted IELTS score or TOEFL score. Although knowing the German language is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to learn the German language.
• The applicant should have completed their Bachelor's degree, which should not exceed more than six years, with a minimum aggregate of 8.5 CGPA or 85% or above depending upon the applied degree.
• English or German language requirement depending on your degree course choice.
• The applicant should have at least two years of work experience, research work, teaching/graduate assistantship
• If you wish to move to Germany for 6 months, you must have resided in your country of residence for at least one year at the time of application.
• If you wish to move to Germany for longer than 6 months, you must have obtained your last degree in your country of residence.

DAAD Scholarship 2022 Coverage

DAAD Scholarship 2022 covers full to partial tuition fees for Masters and Ph.D.

Germany provides the following benefits to the recipient:

• Depending on the academic level, monthly payments of € 861 for graduates or € 1,200 for doctoral/Ph.D. candidates.
• Travel allowance
• Amounts towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover.
• One-off study allowance.

How to Apply for DAAD Scholarships

The application process may vary depending on the scholarship program. To apply for DAAD Scholarship for Masters and Ph.D. in Germany, applicants are required to apply online and must register in the DAAD portal. In the scholarship database, applicants would have to select their chosen scholarships program and then the tab "Submit application".

Application documents for DAAD:

1. Online application form.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Certificate of Enrolment
4. No Objection Certificate
5. Invitation letter from the German university/supervisor.
6. Approval Form by German Host
7. University degree and certificates
   

Other documents:

1. A reference letter from any of your university teachers providing information about your qualifications.
2. A letter of motivation to be submitted, when applying for a study scholarship
3. When applying for a research grant, you will need to submit a detailed proposal.
   

What should I include in my motivation letter?

As part of the application process, you are required to submit a letter of motivation, which should not be more than three pages long. You should describe why you wish to study in Germany. In the motivation letter you will get to describe your personality as well as the following information:

1. Facts about your educational background, knowledge, and skills. Information about your studies, such as the number of semesters and degrees, language skills, professional experience, and any prizes or awards that you got.
2. Include your interests, such as special extracurricular achievements or personal qualities that describe your character.
3. You should include the reasons why you want to take the study program you have chosen, what you like about the university you have chosen, as well as your personal and academic expectations.
4. Include your expectations of the scholarship (in your academic, professional, and personal goals).

What should I include in my proposal?

Applicants must submit an accurate proposal when applying for a research grant. A proposal is a detailed description of the project you will be working on, it should include:

• Research areas in general like the research you have done, the principles you will adopt, the scientific models you will use, the reasons for using these models, etc.
• Research questions, objectives, and academic relevance of the project.
• Your research strategies and data collection methods.
• What academic literature will you be using?
• Anticipated difficulties related to data collection.
• Research bibliography.

What should be included in my reference letter?

Reference letters in scientific subjects must be written by university teachers by someone with a doctoral degree. The university teacher writing your reference letter should include:

• Your academic achievements.
• Your academic and personal qualities.
• The importance of scholarship to your academic and professional career.

What are the selection criteria?

There are two main components, the selection criteria depend on

• The quality of the project 
• The applicant’s academic achievements.

What are the benefits of the DAAD scholarship?

• Postgraduate students will be given a monthly stipend of €861
• Doctoral degree course students will receive a € 1,200 stipend every month
• Students of both master's and doctoral degree courses will get insurance and health coverage
• Students of both Masters's and Doctoral programs will receive a travel allowance
• Free education in German universities
• Free accommodation inside the university hostel facility
• Under special circumstances, DAAD offers insurance benefits and allowance for accompanying spouses, children.

The truth is that winning the DAAD scholarship for masters is very difficult because of its competitiveness and those who don't have two years of work experience won't even clear DAAD scholarship requirements.

You can still opt for an abroad education loan and make it into the German university of your dreams. Since you need to open a blocked account in Germany and getting an education loan is fast, reliable, and a sure-shot ticket to your study abroad. And WeMakeScholars can help you in getting an education loan. We try our best to get students the best deal they can get. So do reach out to our financial officers by requesting a callback. Our team of Financial officers assists you with the entire education loan process until sanction, disbursement, and beyond. 

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