DAAD Research Grants in Germany 2026: Fully Funded Short-Term Research Stay for PhD Students and Postdocs

The DAAD Research Grants in Germany programme offers international doctoral candidates and early-career researchers the opportunity to conduct a funded research stay at a German university or research institute. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the grant supports high-quality academic research and international collaboration while strengthening research capacity worldwide. The funding supports research visits taking place in 2026 and cannot be extended beyond the approved period.

Programme Objective

The DAAD research grant enables researchers to carry out an independent research project in cooperation with a scientific supervisor in Germany. The programme is designed to enhance academic exchange and support doctoral and postdoctoral research careers. Applicants must arrange supervision with a host institution before applying.

Funding Duration

• Doctoral candidates: 2 to 12 months

• Postdoctoral researchers: 2 to 6 months

The funding must start in 2026 and cannot be split across multiple countries.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants receive comprehensive financial and academic support including:

• Monthly stipend of €1,400

• Health, accident, and liability insurance coverage

• Travel allowance

• €460 research allowance (for stays longer than six months)

• Rent subsidy (for longer stays)

• Family allowance (eligible cases)

• Disability-related additional support

• Climate-friendly travel subsidy or carbon offset reimbursement

Language and academic support may also include:

• Online German language course before departure

• Optional German course in Germany before research begins

• Reimbursement for TestDaF or DSH language tests

What Can Be Funded

The grant funds a research project conducted at:

• A state or state-recognized university in Germany

• A non-university research institute in Germany

The project must be approved by a German academic supervisor.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by an independent academic committee based on:

Academic qualifications

• Grades and academic progress

• Publications or conference participation (if applicable)

• Language proficiency

Research quality

• Originality and relevance of proposal

• Feasibility and planning

• Integration into doctoral research

Applicant potential

• Career relevance of the research stay

• Motivation and academic goals

• Civic engagement and extracurricular activities

Equal opportunity considerations are included in the selection process.

Who Can Apply

You may apply if you:

• Are pursuing a doctorate outside Germany, or

• Completed a doctorate within the last four years

Applicants conducting their entire doctorate at a German university are not eligible.

Click here to start your application

Application deadline: 17th March, 2026

Contact Information

DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg
Email: daad@wits.ac.za
Phone: +27 (0) 11 717 9334

Visit the DAAD Scholarship database for more information about this scholarship.

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