DAAD EPOS Scholarships

What the scholarship covers

• Monthly stipend of €992 (masters) or €1,300 (PhD)
• Health, accident and liability insurance
• Travel allowance
• Study and research subsidy
• Optional German language course before study

Eligibility requirements

• Bachelor's degree (usually with above-average results)
• At least two years of relevant professional experience
• Degree completed no more than six years ago
• From a DAAD-listed developing country
• English or German proficiency depending on the course

Documents you will need

• DAAD application form
• Detailed CV in Europass format
• Motivation letter tailored to the course
• Letter of recommendation from your employer
• Proof of language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or TestDaF)

How to apply, step by step

1. 1

   Find an EPOS-listed course

   DAAD funds specific development-related courses, not any German degree. Search the EPOS course catalogue first, this decides everything else.

2. 2

   Check the course's own deadline

   Each course sets its own cut-off, usually between August and October. The course deadline governs, not a single DAAD-wide date.

3. 3

   Apply to the university directly

   Most EPOS courses require you to apply to the university and mark that you are seeking DAAD funding in the same application.

4. 4

   Prepare the DAAD application form

   Download the current form from the DAAD portal. Using last cycle's form is a common reason for rejection.

5. 5

   Get an employer reference

   EPOS is aimed at working professionals. A letter from your employer confirming your role and supporting your return carries real weight.

6. 6

   Submit and wait

   Decisions typically arrive three to six months after the deadline. Do not stop other applications while waiting.

When to do what

Counting backwards from the deadline. Applications rushed in the final fortnight are the ones that fail.

1. 20 weeks before

   Search the EPOS catalogue and shortlist two or three courses.

2. 16 weeks before

   Note each course's individual deadline, they differ.

3. 12 weeks before

   Ask your employer for the reference letter and confirmation of experience.

4. 10 weeks before

   Book IELTS/TOEFL if you do not already hold a valid score.

5. 8 weeks before

   Draft the motivation letter, tailored to each specific course.

6. 6 weeks before

   Prepare the Europass CV and gather certified transcripts.

7. 3 weeks before

   Submit, postal documents where required take time to arrive.

What the panel is actually looking for

• Relevance of your professional experience to the course
• A clear development impact you intend to have on returning
• Academic record strong enough for a German postgraduate programme
• Employer support and a credible path back into your sector

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying to a German course that is not on the EPOS list, it cannot be funded.
• Missing the two-year professional experience requirement, which is strictly applied.
• Sending a generic motivation letter that never names the specific course.
• Using an outdated application form from a previous cycle.
• Assuming one DAAD deadline covers all courses when each sets its own.

Fields of study