Choose the funding route that matches your stage
Funding rules change by academic status, applicant country, subject and purpose. Use this table to select a search route rather than sending one generic application to several organisations.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Route | Best fit | First verification | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD database | Graduates, doctoral candidates, researchers and selected other groups | Filter by country, status, subject and programme purpose | Search database ↗ |
| DAAD EPOS | Development-related postgraduate courses with programme-specific eligibility | Choose an eligible course and follow its submission instructions | Read EPOS guide ↗ |
| University award | Admitted or enrolled students where the institution offers funding | Check whether consideration is automatic or requires a separate form | Plan application ↗ |
| Deutschlandstipendium | Strong achievement plus broader selection criteria at participating institutions | Check the chosen university's local call and eligibility | Official overview ↗ |
| Foundation scholarship | Applicants matching the foundation's academic and wider criteria | Read nationality, study-stage, language and engagement conditions | Compare routes ↗ |
| Paid PhD or research position | Researchers applying to a vacancy or funded project | Check employment terms, project fit and application owner | Research funding ↗ |
Use the DAAD database as a filter, not a promise
Select the country from which you are applying, your current academic status, subject and funding purpose. Open each programme record and verify whether the scholarship owner or the host course receives the application.
A programme appearing in a database does not establish personal eligibility. Save the current programme notice and check degree, graduation date, work experience, language, nomination and deadline requirements together.
Check your progress
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Bachelor's funding needs a wider plan
Major German scholarship databases contain far more postgraduate and research opportunities than full-course undergraduate awards. Bachelor's applicants should also inspect the chosen university's international office, admission scholarship notices and any institution-administered Deutschlandstipendium call.
Do not treat low tuition as full funding. Semester contributions, housing, insurance, food, travel and visa proof of funds can remain payable even when tuition is limited.
Separate scholarships from paid doctoral positions
A doctoral route can be financed through a scholarship, a structured programme or an employment contract attached to a research project. Compare monthly support or salary, social-security treatment, teaching duties, funding duration and whether admission to a doctoral programme is separate.
Use the official Research in Germany routes and the host institution's vacancy page. Contact a supervisor only when you can describe a specific research fit.
Build a funding comparison before accepting
Record confirmed tuition support, monthly cash, insurance, travel, family support and the payment start date. Then list costs that remain yours. A headline award amount is not enough to show whether arrival cash or the monthly budget works.
Only subtract funding that is confirmed in writing. Keep a separate contingency for housing deposits and expenses due before the first scholarship payment.