DAAD German Academic Exchange Service

Academic Discipline

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Business, Management & Finance, Education & Human Development, Law, Policy & Governance, International & Global Studies

Award Type

Graduate School Scholarship, Post-Grad Research Fellowship, Project, Research

Award Location

International (Not UK), Europe

When to Apply

Senior Year, Alumni, Graduate Student

Eligibility: Citizenship

Non-U.S. Citizen, U.S. Citizen

Funds one full year of study in any subject for a master’s degree or an independent research project at an institution in Germany. German language proficiency expected for social science and humanities degrees or projects, but not for STEM or arts fields.

https://www.daad.org/en/find-funding/graduate-opportunities/

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world’s largest organization supporting international exchange among students, scholars, and researchers. Its fellowships provide an exceptional opportunity for graduate students to pursue advanced study and research in Germany across a broad range of disciplines. Applicants are welcome across SAS fields.

The School of Arts and Sciences is pleased to participate in the DAAD partner-institution program. Through this partnership, SAS may nominate one priority candidate for a DAAD fellowship. A priority nomination does not guarantee an award, which is determined by an independent DAAD selection committee, but it provides an important opportunity for a candidate to receive consideration through the partner-institution process.

Students may apply for DAAD scholarships independently of a Penn Priority Nomination.

Who May Receive Penn's Priority Nomination?

The Penn priority nomination is reserved only for applicants to the following DAAD programs.

Study Scholarships
Long-Term Research Grants (7–12 months)

The priority nomination is not available for:

Short-Term Research Grants (up to 6 months); or
Applicants in artistic fields, who apply directly to DAAD headquarters in Bonn.

Graduate students interested in pursuing study or research in Germany should review the DAAD requirements carefully and determine which program best fits their academic plans. Students are free to apply to the DAAD regardless of whether they are eligible for the priority nomination.

Please see: DAAD Scholarship and Research Grant Information

Questions About DAAD?

The DAAD Info-Center offers consultation in both German and English for students and scholars seeking information about study and research opportunities in Germany.

Telephone: +49 (228) 882-180

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 2:00–4:00 p.m. (CET/CEST)
Friday: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (CET/CEST)

You may also submit questions through the DAAD Information Centre contact form.

Students whose scholarly work would benefit from time in Germany are encouraged to explore this opportunity. DAAD fellowships can provide valuable support for sustained research, intellectual exchange, and engagement with German universities and research institutions.

Application Process:

Students who are eligible for and wish to be considered by Penn for the priority nomination must complete both of the following steps:

October 14, 2026 — Penn/SAS application
October 30, 2026 — DAAD application

Please plan accordingly, particularly with respect to requesting letters of recommendation.

1. APPLICATION TO THE SAS GRADUATE DIVISION

Deadline: October 14, 2026

To be considered for Penn's priority nomination, please submit a complete application to the SAS Graduate Division. These are the identical materials that you will send to DAAD not separate applications.

Submit all application materials in a single PDF.
Use “LAST NAME, DAAD” as the subject line of your email.
Send the application to grad-dean@sas.upenn.edu
Arrange for all letters of recommendation to be sent directly to grad-dean@sas.upenn.edu.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to request letters sufficiently in advance to ensure that they arrive by the October 14 deadline. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

2. APPLICATION TO DAAD

Deadline: October 30, 2026

Applicants must also submit a complete application directly to DAAD by October 30, 2026, through the portal: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/

The materials submitted to Penn and DAAD are the same application materials. However, submitting an application to Penn does not constitute an application to DAAD.

For an application to be considered complete, DAAD must receive both the applicant’s electronic application and all required letters of reference through its online portal by October 30, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

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At a Glance for Priority Nomination Review:

October 14, 2026 Submit complete application to the SAS Graduate Division for consideration for Penn's priority nomination.

October 30, 2026 Submit complete application directly to DAAD through the online portal.

Students seeking Penn's priority nomination must complete both applications.

Students who do not wish to be considered for Penn's priority nomination, or who are not eligible for the partner-institution process, may still apply directly to DAAD by its October 30 deadline. A Penn endorsement is not required for a direct DAAD application.

The below application checklists provide additional guidance as you prepare your materials.

Benefits:

DAAD scholarships do not have to be paid back. They usually consist of a monthly scholarship payment (currently, for example, € 992 for students and € 1,300 for doctoral/PhD students) and a flat-rate travel allowance. In many cases, DAAD also provides you with health, accident and personal liability insurance. Depending on the scholarship programme, there are also additional benefits such as a one-off research allowance, family benefits or funds for language courses.