DAAD Scholarships 2025: Benefits, Requirements, And Application Procedure

DAAD scholarship full form stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschddienst, which means German Academic Exchange Service. DAAD is the largest scholarship provider for international students looking to study in Germany.

DAAD scholarship finances both those Germans who want to go abroad and those international students who want to visit Germany for their higher education. DAAD is located in Bonn, with an additional branch in Berlin. It is a vastly spread global network agency with 20 regional offices and more than 30 information centers in about 50 countries of the world. DAAD scholarship for Indian students has 3 information centers in Bangalore, Pune and Chennai, and 1 regional office in New Delhi.

Why Opt For DAAD Scholarships?

The DAAD scholarships for Indian students 2025 offer different types of scholarships for various program levels, including DAAD scholarships for undergraduates, DAAD scholarships for masters' students, DAAD scholarships for PhD, language courses, and more. As of 2024, DAAD offers 86 scholarships programs, all under different disciplines, with diverse application, selection and procedural requirements.

DAAD scholarships for Indian students are basically merit-based scholarships that cover the living costs of Indian students in Germany entirely. As per the official calculations conducted by the German government, Indian students need at least 12,000 Euros per year to be able to live in Germany, and this amount is non-negotiable in the sense it is an official requirement for a German student visa.

Mostly the German student visa application is rejected because students are not able to secure the above mentioned sum of money. As a result, DAAD scholarships for Indian students is the only option left for such students since this scholarship covers the full living expenses.

Figure 1: DAAD Regional Offices

What Are The Benefits Of DAAD Scholarship For Indian Students?

The DAAD scholarship in Germany has its own benefits. The scholarship applications and rewards are reviewed and formulated by independent and dedicated voluntary selection committee members.

• Scholars opting for DAAD scholarships for masters' in general receive 950 euros; DAAD scholarships for PhD receive 1,300 euros. For assistant teachers, assistant professors, and lecturers, the amount received is 2,000 euros and 2,150 euros for professors.
• DAAD scholarships grants travel expenses allowance as well, since DAAD is committed towards climate protection, especially to those who travel by bus or train.
• DAAD scholarship Germany also offers partner allowance of 250-300 EUROS per month. Students can also apply for DAAD Child allowance of 250 EUROS per month per child.
• Certain programs also cover health insurance for the DAAD scholarship holders and their accompanying family members.
• Students can also apply for a secondary scholarship while pursuing their DAAD scholarship, but they must ensure that the secondary scholarship amount should not exceed 520 euros, or else the excess amount will be deducted from DAAD scholarship.
• Those who are living in Germany alone without accompanying children or spouses and are studying or researching in a place with expensive rents? In such cases, these people can apply for a monthly rent subsidy of a maximum of 350 EUROS.

DAAD Scholarships Germany Eligibility/Requirements For Indian Students

The intention, target, admissions requirements, and application process procedures regarding the DAAD scholarship in Germany are different for different disciplines. Irrespective of this fact, there are a few DAAD scholarships Germany requirements that every student must be aware of.

• There is no fixed age limit; however, your previous academic degree should not be older than 6 years at the time of the DAAD scholarship 2025 deadline.
• You cannot apply if you have resided in Germany for more than 15 months before the application deadline.
• You should be familiar with either English or German or in some cases, both.
• Your previous academic result must be above average, generally more than 3.5.
• The DAAD scholarship must begin with the winter semester and not in the summer semester.

The Application Procedure For DAAD Scholarships For Indian Students

To check the DAAD scholarship 2025 deadline, one must check the DAAD scholarship official website. These deadlines are updated annually and are mostly in the same period as that of the previous year. The DAAD has the right to request scanned, certified copies of the mandatory required documents.

The documents to be uploaded to the DAAD portal are:

• DAAD scholarship Germany online application form.
• Maximum of 3 pages of full-detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• 1-3 pages of a DAAD scholarship letter of motivation, stating your academic and personal reasons for planning the abroad study project in Germany.
• School leaving certificate with individual grades.
• At least one recent letter of recommendation from a university teacher providing the relevant information about your qualifications.
• University degree certificate with the explanation of grades.
• Proof of knowledge of the language of instruction.

Important Notice:

• If your documents are not originally in English or German, please translate them accordingly.
• Don't miss anything. Please review your DAAD scholarship application form before submitting. If the documents are not in the right, it can be rejected.
• You need to first apply for the DAAD scholarship in Germany and then apply for the desired Bachelor's or Master's program in Germany, since DAAD scholarships are pre-admission scholarships.

7 Key Steps To Follow For Applying To DAAD Scholarships For Indian Students?

The students must follow certain steps in order to apply for the DAAD scholarships in Germany. These steps include:

• Find the best DAAD scholarship that is suitable to your program and academic goals.
• Check the DAAD scholarship eligibility criteria to make sure that you qualify for the scholarship that best fits your interest. You can check for the eligibility requirements on the DAAD official website.
• Collect all the necessary documents and review them thoroughly before submitting to avoid rejection.
• Next, submit the DAAD scholarship Most of these applications are submitted online via the DAAD portal. However, it is advisable to check the submission criteria, since some scholarship programs, such as Helmut-Schmidt, ask you to submit the application not to the DAAD but directly to the study program.
• Next, wait for the response from DAAD, it might take several months. If everything goes well, DAAD will respond back to you guiding you to the next stage.
• The second stage might be distinct too; DAAD might invite you to an interview or might ask you to submit some specific additional documents.
• After the second stage is completed, DAAD will require some additional months to decide and formulate the final list of the selected scholarship candidates.

DAAD Scholarships 2025 Selection Committee Criteria

Many Indian students wonder according to which criteria does the DAAD selection committee make its decision regarding selecting the scholarship candidates? Well, The Student Helpline listed DAAD scholarship 2025 Germany selection committee criteria for you:

Professional Qualification:

• Academic achievements.
• Academic progress
• Knowledge of the language(s) or instruction or the working language(s).
• Academic performance.
• School leaving certificate, if asked.
• Relevant internships and work experience, if applicable
• Course of studies

Quality of the Study or Research Project:

• Quality of the study project and of the preparation.
• Integration of the study project into the academic career.
• Quality of the research proposal and its preparation.
• Feasibility, timetable, and consistency of the study plan and schedule.
• Incorporation of the project within the overall doctorate.

Potential of the Application:

• Academic and personal reasons regarding the stay in Germany.
• The significance of staying in Germany for further academic, professional, and personal development.
• Extracurricular knowledge and skills.

In addition, in order to ensure equal opportunities, the DAAD selection committee may take into consideration the "special circumstances," like:

• Disability
• Raising children
• Chronic or prolonged illness
• Refugee background
• Extensive employment to finance studies
• Caring for relatives.

DAAD Scholarship Language Certificates Needed For Indian Students

While submitting your DAAD scholarship Germany admissions application to the DAAD you must be required to provide proof of your current level of proficiency in language of instruction (English or German or English and German both).

As specified, the following certificates can be considered as language certificates for German:

• TestDaF
• DSH
• Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD)
• Goethe-Zertifikat
• Austrian Language Diploma
• Telc Deutsch
• OnSET Deutsch

If the language of instruction is English, then these certificates can be submitted:

• Cambridge English
• Cambridge Business
• IELTS
• ISE
• TOEFL Essentials
• TOEFL iBT
• TOEIC
• PTE Academic
• onset ENGLISH

To get more hands-on information regarding the above mentioned language proficiency tests, contact The Student Helpline. The consultants here will guide you and assist you regarding how to prepare for these tests.

DAAD Scholarship For Undergraduate Students From India

According to the DAAD scholarship 2025 updates, there is no DAAD scholarship for Indian students who aspire to study abroad in Germany. However, there are still some non-degree DAAD scholarships for Indian students' options available for them.

DAAD Scholarship For Masters In Germany For Indian Students

Unlike the students who wish to pursue their bachelors' in Germany, the Indian students who want to do their masters in Germany can find relevant DAAD scholarships in Germany that will completely cover their living expenses.

For courses like MBBS and MBA, DAAD undergraduate scholarships such as DAAD scholarships for MBBS and DAAD Masters scholarships such as DAAD scholarships for MBA in Germany are also available. However, one must check the DAAD scholarship Germany eligibility before applying for such scholarships, since the criteria changes with time.

DAAD Scholarship For PhD For Indian Students

There are many DAAD scholarships for Indian students available who wish to study and carry out their research goals in Germany.

Chart 1: Number of international students at German universities

Who Is The Best DAAD Scholarship 2025 Study Abroad Consultants For Indian Students?

DAAD scholarship Germany is one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarship programs in Germany. One should know, it is not easy to get a DAAD scholarship. According to the latest updates, the DAAD scholarship acceptance rate is nearly 10%. Low GPAs, weak academic profiles and least impressive letters of motivation might be the reason behind your rejection.

As you can see in Chart 1 above, the number of Indian students at German universities is higher than in any other country. As a result, you can understand why it is important for Indian students to get the right assistance and guidance regarding the DAAD scholarship Germany. However, The Student Helpline consultants understand this very well; they value your sentiments behind your DAAD scholarship application decision, knowing that it is the only scholarship that covers living expenses entirely. The highly professional working professionals will help you find the best scholarship that aligns perfectly with your study abroad goals and help you present your academic achievements in a manner that is admissible and impresses the DAAD scholarship 2025 selection committee.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding DAAD Scholarship Germany

What Is DAAD Scholarship?

DAAD scholarship full form stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, which is German for German Academic Exchange Service. DAAD is the largest scholarship provider for international students looking to study in Germany.DAAD scholarship Germany finances both those Germans who want to go abroad and those international students who want to come to Germany for education. To learn more about DAAD scholarship eligibility, contact The Student Helpline.

How to Apply for DAAD Scholarship 2025?

• Find the best DAAD scholarship.
• Check the DAAD scholarship eligibility criteria.
• Collect all the necessary documents and review them thoroughly before submitting.
• Next, submit the DAAD scholarship
• Next, wait for the response from DAAD, it might take several months.
• Next, DAAD might invite you to an interview.

Is DAAD Scholarship Available for Indian Students?

Yes, Indian students who wish to study abroad in Germany can apply for DAAD scholarships for Indian students. For more information regarding DAAD scholarship requirements for bachelor degrees, DAAD scholarship requirements for PhD, DAAD scholarship requirements for masters, contact The Student Helpline.

How to Apply for DAAD Scholarship?

Apply for DAAD scholarship in 7 easy steps:

• Find the best DAAD scholarship.
• Check the DAAD scholarship eligibility criteria.
• Collect all the necessary documents and review them thoroughly before submitting.
• Next, submit the DAAD scholarship
• Next, wait for the response from DAAD, it might take several months.
• Next, DAAD might invite you to an interview.

To know more in detail, reach out to The Student Helpline.

What Does DAAD Scholarship Cover?

DAAD scholarships cover living expenses.DAAD scholarships for Indian students are basically merit-based scholarships that cover the living costs of Indian students in Germany entirely. Find the best DAAD scholarship for Indian students with the help of The Student Helpline consultants.

Is DAAD Scholarship Hard to Get?

Yes, in general, it is not easy to get a DAAD scholarship, no matter where you are from. According to the latest updates, the DAAD scholarship acceptance rate is nearly 10%. Unlock the tips and tricks to successfully get DAAD scholarships; contact The Student Helpline.

How to Get DAAD Scholarship?

Getting a DAAD scholarship in Germany is not easy. One must fulfil a lot of criteria and requirements. To know more about the DAAD scholarship eligibility and DAAD scholarship requirements, contact The Student Helpline.

Who Can Apply for DAAD Scholarships?

Students who aspire to study in Germany can apply for DAAD scholarships, provided they meet the DAAD scholarship eligibility requirements. The Student Helpline consultants will help you understand the DAAD scholarship requirements better and help you get the best scholarship.

What Are the Requirements for DAAD Scholarship?

There are certain key points regarding the DAAD scholarship requirements:

• There is no fixed age limit; however, your previous academic degree should not be older than 6 years at the time of the DAAD scholarship 2025 deadline.
• You cannot apply if you have resided in Germany for more than 15 months before the application deadline.
• You should be familiar with either English or German, or in some cases, both.
• Your previous academic result must be above average, generally more than 3.5.
• The DAAD scholarship must begin with the winter semester and not in the summer semester.

What Is the Deadline for DAAD Scholarship 2025?

The deadlines for DAAD scholarships 2025 can vary depending on the specific program and country. Generally, the DAAD scholarship 2025 applications are expected to be submitted between August and December 2025.