Study scholarships for STEM disciplines

The aim of the scholarship programme is to support the qualification and employability of young academics and future professionals from developing and emerging countries. It offers the opportunity to continue their academic and professional career in innovation-driving STEM fields in Germany with a Master’s degree in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering.

Who can apply?

The scholarship programme is aimed at high-achieving students from developing and emerging countries who would like to complete a Master’s degree in the STEM subjects at a German university.
You can apply if you have completed your studies with a first degree recognised in Germany (e.g. Bachelor's degree) by the application deadline at the latest.
If you already have a Master's degree, you cannot apply.

What can be funded?

Funding is available for a complete Master's degree (full-time, on-campus) at a state or state-recognised university in Germany in the STEM subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering.
Interdisciplinary degree programmes must have a designated STEM focus.
It must be a tuition-free Master's degree programme.
Funding for a Master's programme already started in Germany cannot be granted.

Duration of the funding

Funding is provided for 10 months to a maximum of 24 months.
It depends on the standard period of study of the chosen full-time Master's degree programme.
Please state the entire period for which you wish to apply for a scholarship in your application. For example, if you are planning a 2-year degree programme, you must directly indicate two years as the desired scholarship duration in your application.
After the first year of study, your academic achievements will be assessed. If this shows that you will successfully complete your programme within a reasonable period of time, the scholarship will continue as planned.
The scholarship usually begins on 1st October of the following year, or earlier if you take a German language course prior to the study programme.

Value

 

• monthly scholarship payments of 992 euros
• payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover (see also our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 4)
• travel allowance
• annual study allowance of 460 euros

Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after start of funding:

• monthly rent subsidy (see important information for scholarship applicants, section F, point 9)
• monthly allowance for accompanying members of family. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 3
• In case of a disability or chronic illness: on application, a subsidy may be provided for justified additional costs, incurred in Germany due to the disability, that are necessary to realise the project in Germany and that are not covered by a third party; whether and to what extent a subsidy will be paid will be reviewed and determined on an individual basis (see important information for scholarship applicants, section F, point 8)
• reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel

To allow you to improve your language skills, the DAAD offers the following benefits on application (only for a funding period of more than six months):

• Payment of course fees for an online language course after receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter
• if necessary: German language course in Germany before the start of the research project; the DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and project.
• Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the scholarship period
• Reimbursement of the fee for a TestDaF or DSH test, which you can take either in your home country after you have received your Letter of Award or in Germany during your funding period.

Please note that the DAAD does not cover tuition fees important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 7).
 

Selection

Only complete applications with all mandatory documents will be considered. Incomplete applications will be excluded for formal reasons.
A pre-selection will be made based on the submitted application documents. The pre-selected applicants will be invited to a (digital) interview with an independent selection committee of university teachers. The personal interview is a decisive element in assessing the authenticity of the application and the individual qualities of the applicants and evaluating them appropriately.

The selection criteria are are:
Academic qualification

• academic achievements
• course of studies
• knowledge of the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
• if applicable, relevant internships, work experience

Quality of the study project

• Quality of the study project and of the preparation (preliminary information, choice of degree pro-gramme, host university and establishment of contacts)
• Integration of the project into the academic career path

Potential of the applicant

• Motivation: academic and personal reasons for the stay in Germany, German language skills (if different from the working language);
• Prospects: Significance of the stay in Germany for further academic, professional and personal development.
• Extracurricular commitment: extracurricular knowledge and skills, social commitment.

In addition, the selection committee will give due consideration to aspects of equal opportunities, on which you can provide information in the application form. Examples of ‘special life circumstances’ are

• disability
• chronic or prolonged illness
• raising children
• caring for relatives
• refugee background
• extensive employment required to finance studies.

For further information on the selection procedure, please refer to the Important Scholarship Information / Section E.