The DAAD doctoral scholarship “Promotionen in Deutschland” (doctorates in Germany) is aimed at graduates from abroad who want to do a doctorate in Germany. This guide summarises the eligibility rules, the funding amounts, the duration and the application window, based on the official DAAD scholarship database.
Short answer: According to the DAAD scholarship database, the programme pays a monthly rate of 1,400 euros, depending on the stage of training, plus a research allowance of 460 euros a year. Funding lasts up to four years, and applications are possible from 1 June. The DAAD page was checked in October 2026.
The most important points
- The programme is aimed at graduates who have not lived in Germany for long.
- The monthly rate is 1,400 euros according to the DAAD. The page does not state a date or year for this figure.
- A research allowance of 460 euros a year comes on top. A travel allowance is paid only on application.
- Funding lasts at most four years. Initially, funding is promised for up to three years.
- Applications are possible from 1 June. The page does not state when the application window closes.
Who can apply?
The DAAD page lists the following requirements. Check every point before you apply:
- A master’s or diploma degree by the start of the scholarship. In exceptional cases a bachelor’s degree is also considered.
- The last relevant university degree is usually no more than six years old at the closing date.
- If the doctorate has already started, its start should be no more than three years before the application.
- You have not been in Germany for longer than 15 months at the closing date.
- Your status and your country are on the selection list of the application page.
The page describes the target group as graduates with above-average qualifications. Compare the points above to see whether you fit.
How high is the funding?
| Component | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rate | 1,400 euros | According to the DAAD, “depending on the stage of training”. No date or year is given. |
| Research allowance | 460 euros a year | Annual lump sum. |
| Travel allowance | not stated | Only on application. |
| Health insurance | not stated | The page names benefits for health, accident and private liability insurance, but no euro amount. |
Assumption: the rate stays the same over three years. This gives 50,400 euros (calculation: 1,400 times 36 months). The research allowance adds 460 euros a year, so 1,380 euros over three years. This is a calculation based on the published figures, not a commitment.
Whether and how the scholarship is taxed is covered in the guide on taxes on doctoral scholarships.
How long will you be funded?
Funding lasts at most four years. Initially, commitments are made for up to three years. You can apply for a fourth year. The page also states that the start of funding must fall in 2027.
| Period | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Years 1 to 3 | Commitments are first made for up to three years. |
| Year 4 | You can apply for a fourth year. |
| Total | Funding lasts at most four years. |
How to apply
- Check your degrees and your residence status against the requirements above.
- If you have already started your doctorate, note the start date and check the three-year limit.
- Do not wait until the end of the application window. Applications are possible from 1 June, and the closing date is not fixed on the page.
- Prepare the documents the call requires and read the funding conditions in full.
Is the programme right for you?
| More likely a fit if | Less likely a fit if |
|---|---|
| you hold a master’s or comparable degree and plan a doctorate in Germany | you have already lived in Germany for more than 15 months |
| you want to do a doctorate in Germany for three to four years | you only plan a short research stay |
| you can plan with a monthly rate and an allowance | you need a permanent post with social insurance, in which case an employment contract fits better (doctoral scholarship or post) |
Checklist before you apply
Before you submit, clarify these points so that nothing important is missed:
- Have your degree documents ready and check whether translations are required.
- Calculate how long you will have lived in Germany by the closing date.
- Document the start of your doctorate and your supervisor’s commitment.
- Formulate your research project in a few sentences and agree it with your supervisor.
- Clarify health insurance, because the page gives no amount for it.
- Check the selection list on the application page before you start.
A research project that fits a supervisor in Germany is, in experience, a central part of any application. Contacting your future supervisor early also leaves time for questions.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the call?
The call is listed in the DAAD scholarship database under the entry “Promotionen in Deutschland”. The application page is linked there.
What happens if I interrupt the funding?
The page does not set out rules for this. Check the funding conditions or ask the DAAD before you plan an interruption.
Can I apply if I am already doing a doctorate?
Yes, as long as the doctorate started no more than three years before the application. The guide on doctorates from abroad and scholarships for non-EU citizens explains more.
Is there a contribution towards health insurance?
The page names benefits for health, accident and private liability insurance, but gives no amount. Ask the programme which insurance is included. The guide on health insurance with a doctoral scholarship explains how this works.
How does the programme differ from the scholarship foundations?
The DAAD programme is its own scholarship with its own rules. The bodies in the guide on doctoral scholarships 2027 have their own rules and selection procedures. A comparison is worthwhile before you decide.
Is the rate tax-free?
That depends on the rules that apply in your case. The guide on taxes on doctoral scholarships explains the basics. Your tax office makes the binding decision.
What to do next
- Decide whether a scholarship or a post protects you better.
- Check the requirements and the application window, and note 1 June in your calendar.
- Compare the programme with the bodies listed in the guide on doctoral scholarships.
- Ask your supervisor in Germany whether they can support the application.
Related reading
- Doctorates from abroad: scholarships for non-EU citizens
- Doctorate abroad: PhD in the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA
- Doctoral scholarships 2027: the funding bodies compared
- Health insurance with a doctoral scholarship: who pays what?
Sources:
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
