DAAD doctoral scholarships in Germany and in Cotutelle/Sandwich models

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers funding to excellent early-career researchers who plan to pursue a PhD in Germany.

Doctorates can be completed entirely in Germany or through a binational model with stays in Germany and the home country. This includes the sandwich model (degree awarded by the home university) or the cotutelle model (joint degree from both institutions).

The next application deadline is 3 September 2025 at 00:00 CEST (19:00BRT). Funding begins in October 2026, and selection results will be announced in February 2026.

Eligible applicants must hold a university degree completed no more than six years before the deadline. If the PhD has already started, it must have begun no more than three years ago. Applicants who have been in Germany for more than 15 months at the deadline are not eligible. Proficiency in German or English is required.

More information:

Binationally supervised doctorates: https://uni.ms/wt6z7 

Doctorates fully in Germany: https://uni.ms/pc7ez