The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a publicly-funded independent organization of higher education institutions in Germany. Each year DAAD, its regional branch offices, its information centers, and DAAD professors around the globe provide information and financial support to more than 120,000 highly qualified students and faculty for international research and study. Visit the DAAD website for a full list of funded programs.
Research grants are awarded to highly qualified candidates who have completed a master’s degree or diploma, to those who have already completed a Ph.D., or to those wishing to earn a doctoral degree in Germany.
Those who have received an undergraduate degree of any discipline may apply for the DAAD Study Scholarship for a full master’s degree program at a German university, or for study at a German university as part of a post-graduate or master’s degree program completed in the home country.
Many study programs and research opportunities funded by DAAD do not require proficiency in the German language; applicants should indicate interest in developing proficiency in the language before and during time overseas.
Deadlines
- UW campus priority status deadline: October 1, 2024
- DAAD application deadline: October 31, 2024, 3 p.m. (Pacific)
Those applying for graduate study scholarships and standard research grants (for a duration of at least 7 months) are eligible to be considered for UW’s single priority nomination. Per DAAD guidelines, applicants for shorter term research grants may not be considered for priority status.
Eligibility
- Current UW graduate students or postdocs within two years of Ph.D. completion
- Both U.S. citizens and international students are eligible to apply for DAAD awards; citizenship status may affect the types of awards for which students are eligible
View the DAAD FAQs for more information about eligibility.
Application process
Current graduate students who wish to be considered for the priority nomination should apply through the University of Washington. Both research and study applicants of all disciplines should find the appropriate program for which to apply through DAAD’s scholarship database. The program’s profile will indicate all required application materials.
Search the DAAD Scholarship Database
View the DAAD Applicant Checklists
Apply for Priority Consideration:
- Once you have identified your desired program opportunity from the scholarship database, open an application in the DAAD online portal.
- Complete all components of your online application, but do not submit the application.
- Generate a recommendation form in the portal and instruct your reference writer to email the completed letter to you, or directly to the Office of Fellowships & Awards (gradappt@uw.edu) if they wish for the letter to be confidential.
- NOTE: If your recommender prefers for your letter to be confidential, in addition to emailing the letter to Fellowships & Awards, they will also need to mail a hard copy to the DAAD before the final deadline: Regional Office New York, German Academic Exchange Service, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.
- Email a PDF copy of your application summary and all supplemental materials (letter of motivation, research proposal, CV, etc.) to gradappt@uw.edu by the priority deadline.
- After the campus committee review, you will receive feedback and have the option to revise your application materials before submitting your application in the DAAD portal by the national deadline.
Apply without Priority Consideration:
- Once you have identified your desired program opportunity from the scholarship database, open an application in the DAAD online portal.
- Generate a recommendation form in the online portal and instruct your reference writer to either provide the letter to you electronically or mail the signed and completed form to the DAAD: Regional Office New York, German Academic Exchange Service, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.
- Complete all components of your online application and submit via the portal by the DAAD final deadline.
Questions?
Michelle Sutton in the Office of Fellowships & Awards can assist you with questions and application support.
Consider registering for Global Fellowships Prep for additional online tips and resources.