Research Grants – Doctoral Degree in Germany (PhD)

This is a scholarship programme to complete your doctoral degree at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education or a non-university research institute in Germany with a possibility of a fieldwork trip.

You are eligible to apply for this scholarship if you fulfil the following requirements

1. Your last degree award is not older than 6 years
2. You have not been living in Germany for more than 15 months
3. You have a letter of invitation from a professor at a German university or you have a confirmed seat for a Structured PhD Programme such as Graduate School/Research Training Group or so on.

If you are an applicant from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal or Sri Lanka, you will be asked to submit your TOEFL/IELTS results if you get selected for the scholarship.

The application deadline is 21 October 2024. The scholarship will start from 1 October 2025.

The application portal opens 6 weeks ahead of the deadline.

To apply for this scholarship the knowledge of the German language is not mandatory.

The DAAD will support you in learning the language once you are in Germany.

After you have submitted all the required documents online successfully, an independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists from Germany and the region i.e. India/ Bangladesh/ Bhutan/ Nepal/ Sri Lanka reviews your application. If you are shortlisted, you are invited for a personal interview which either takes place in face to face at the DAAD New Delhi office or in online/hybrid mode.

Your academic qualifications including your scholarly achievements after the graduation and quality of your research project, research publications if any etc. are checked during the selection.

The personal interview plays a very important role.

Initially the scholarship is awarded for 1 year. Based on approvals from the host professor and the DAAD, the scholarship can be extended. With subsequent annual extensions it can reach up to a maximum of 4 years, students also complete it within 3 years.

You get the scholarship value of €1,300 per month once you are in Germany. This is in addition to travel allowance, funding for a self-chosen German language course, research allowance and insurance. The scholarship also covers monthly allowance for spouse and/or children.

This scholarship amount is not taxable.