The German Academic Exchange Service Study Scholarships for STEM Disciplines 2027 offer talented graduates from developing and emerging countries an opportunity to pursue a full-time master’s degree in Germany.
The scholarship supports academically strong candidates who want to advance their knowledge and professional prospects in innovation-driven fields such as mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering. Ghanaian graduates are eligible to apply for the 2027 intake, alongside qualified applicants from other eligible developing and emerging countries.
Selected scholars will study at a state or state-recognised university in Germany and receive financial assistance covering living costs, insurance, travel, study expenses and, where applicable, German-language preparation.
The application deadline is 24 September 2026.
Overview of the DAAD Doctoral Scholarship
The DAAD Study Scholarships for STEM Disciplines are designed to support the academic qualification and employability of young graduates and future professionals from developing and emerging countries.
Although the previous opportunity focused on doctoral study, the updated programme funds a complete master’s degree in one of the following STEM subject areas:
- Mathematics
- Computer science
- Natural sciences
- Engineering
The degree must be studied full-time and on campus at a state or state-recognised university in Germany. Interdisciplinary programmes may also qualify, provided they have a clearly designated STEM focus.
The selected master’s programme must be tuition-free. Applicants should note that the DAAD itself does not pay tuition fees. Candidates must therefore select a programme that does not charge tuition.
Funding is available only for programmes beginning in the 2027–2028 winter semester. Applicants cannot receive funding for a master’s degree that has already started in Germany.
What the Scholarship Covers
The DAAD STEM scholarship provides a comprehensive package intended to help recipients meet the costs of studying and living in Germany.
The standard benefits include:
- A monthly scholarship payment of €992
- Payments towards health insurance
- Accident insurance
- Personal liability insurance
- A travel allowance, upon application
- An annual study allowance of €460
- Access to German-language support, where applicable
- Possible reimbursement of carbon-offset payments for air travel
Depending on individual circumstances, scholars may also apply for additional support after funding begins, including:
- A monthly rent subsidy
- A monthly allowance for accompanying family members
- Assistance with justified additional costs related to a disability or chronic illness
Language-related support may include:
- Payment for an online German-language course after the scholarship award letter is issued
- A German-language course in Germany before the academic programme begins, where considered necessary by DAAD
- An allowance for a personally selected German-language course during the scholarship period
- Reimbursement of fees for a TestDaF or DSH examination
The DAAD determines whether preparatory German-language support is necessary and how long it should last.
Who Can Apply (Eligible Candidates)
The scholarship is intended for high-achieving graduates from developing and emerging countries who want to complete a master’s degree in a STEM subject at a German university.
Eligible Categories of Applicants
Applicants may qualify if they:
- Have completed a first university degree recognised in Germany, such as a bachelor’s degree
- Complete that first degree no later than the application deadline
- Intend to pursue a full-time master’s programme in an eligible STEM discipline
- Have not already begun the proposed master’s programme in Germany
- Do not already hold a master’s degree by the application deadline
Candidates who already possess a master’s degree when applications close are not eligible.
The programme is therefore primarily designed for bachelor’s graduates seeking their first master’s qualification.
Applicants should demonstrate strong academic achievement, suitable preparation for the proposed programme and a convincing connection between the degree in Germany and their long-term academic or professional goals.
Eligible Countries and Regions
The scholarship targets graduates from developing and emerging countries.
Eligible applicants may come from regions including:
- Africa
- Asia
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- The Middle East
- Eligible European developing or emerging countries
Ghanaian graduates are eligible to apply for the 2027 intake.
Applicants from Ghana may consider suitable STEM programmes at universities associated with the Ghana–North Rhine-Westphalia University Alliance, including:
- University of Bonn
- University of Cologne
- TU Dortmund University
- Ruhr University Bochum
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- University of Siegen
These universities offer internationally recognised programmes in fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, engineering, mathematics, natural sciences and other technology-driven disciplines.
Applicants are not restricted to these institutions. They may apply to another eligible state or state-recognised university in Germany, provided the selected programme meets all scholarship conditions.
Academic Fields and Areas of Study
Funding is available for master’s programmes in four principal STEM areas.
Mathematics
Eligible programmes may include applied mathematics, statistics, mathematical modelling, computational mathematics and related specialisations.
Computer Science
Relevant programmes may cover:
- Artificial intelligence
- Data science
- Machine learning
- Software engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Information systems
- Computational science
- Other computer-science disciplines
Natural Sciences
This category may include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth sciences
- Environmental sciences
- Related scientific fields
Engineering
Eligible fields may include:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Computer engineering
- Energy engineering
- Other related engineering disciplines
Interdisciplinary programmes are eligible only when they have a clearly identified STEM focus.
Programmes that include integrated study periods outside Germany are excluded from funding.
Programme Objectives
The DAAD Study Scholarships for STEM Disciplines aim to:
- Strengthen the qualifications of talented graduates from developing and emerging countries
- Improve the employability of young academics and future professionals
- Support advanced study in innovation-driving STEM disciplines
- Promote international academic cooperation
- Expand access to high-quality German research and teaching environments
- Develop professionals capable of contributing to scientific, technological and economic development
- Encourage long-term academic and professional connections between Germany and participating countries
The programme places particular value on applicants whose proposed studies can contribute to their future academic development, professional progression and broader social or economic impact.
Duration of the Scholarship
Funding is provided for a minimum of 10 months and a maximum of 24 months.
The exact scholarship period depends on the standard duration of the selected full-time master’s programme.
Applicants must request funding for the complete programme period in their application. For example, a candidate applying to a two-year master’s programme should request two full years of scholarship support from the beginning.
After the first academic year, the recipient’s performance will be assessed. Funding will continue as planned when the evaluation indicates that the scholar is likely to complete the degree successfully within a reasonable period.
Funding must begin in 2027. The scholarship normally starts on 1 October 2027, although it may begin earlier when the recipient attends an approved German-language course before the degree programme.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete application with all mandatory documents. Incomplete applications will be excluded from consideration for formal reasons.
Requirements generally include:
- A completed first degree recognised in Germany
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Evidence of strong academic performance
- A clear and well-prepared study proposal
- Information about the selected master’s programme and host university
- A motivation letter
- Proof of proficiency in the programme’s language of instruction
- Relevant internship or professional-experience evidence, where applicable
- Additional documents requested through the DAAD application system
Applicants should explain why they selected the proposed degree and university and how the programme fits into their academic and professional development.
The selection process considers:
- Academic results
- Previous course of study
- Language proficiency
- Relevant internships or work experience
- Quality and feasibility of the proposed study plan
- Preparation for studying in Germany
- Motivation for the scholarship
- Future academic and professional prospects
- Extracurricular engagement
- Social commitment
The selection committee may also consider special life circumstances and equal-opportunity factors, including disability, chronic illness, childcare responsibilities, caregiving duties, refugee background or extensive employment undertaken to finance previous studies.
Application Process
The application process generally involves the following steps:
- Identify an eligible tuition-free STEM master’s programme in Germany.
- Confirm that the programme begins in the 2027–2028 winter semester.
- Review the programme’s academic and language-admission requirements.
- Prepare all required academic and scholarship documents.
- Submit the complete application through the official DAAD application system.
- Follow any separate university-admission procedures required by the selected institution.
- Attend an interview if shortlisted.
A preliminary selection will be conducted based on the submitted documents, with particular attention to academic performance and language skills.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with an independent selection committee of university academics. The interview may take place online or in person and is a decisive part of the selection process.
Applicants should begin preparing early because admission procedures and scholarship applications may involve different documents and timelines.
Apply Here
Applicants should review the complete scholarship conditions and submit their applications through the official DAAD scholarship information and application channels.
Learn more about the DAAD STEM Scholarship and application requirements, CLICK HERE.
Candidates should also explore the official DAAD Scholarship Database to confirm eligibility, required documents and application procedures.
Why You Should Apply
The DAAD Study Scholarships for STEM Disciplines provide an important opportunity for graduates who want to build advanced expertise in scientific and technological fields.
The programme allows recipients to:
- Complete a recognised master’s degree in Germany
- Receive €992 in monthly financial support
- Study in a tuition-free programme
- Access high-quality laboratories, libraries and research infrastructure
- Develop specialist skills in innovation-focused disciplines
- Build international academic and professional networks
- Improve their German-language abilities
- Strengthen their employment prospects
- Gain experience in one of Europe’s leading higher-education and research systems
Germany offers a wide range of internationally recognised STEM programmes and research environments. For Ghanaian graduates and other eligible international candidates, the scholarship can provide a pathway to advanced training in areas central to digital transformation, scientific innovation and sustainable development.
Deadline
The application deadline is:
24 September 2026
Applicants seeking admission for the 2027 intake should begin early by identifying suitable master’s programmes, reviewing language requirements and preparing academic documents.
The DAAD Study Scholarships for STEM Disciplines 2027 offer talented graduates from developing and emerging countries a valuable opportunity to pursue a funded master’s degree in Germany. With monthly financial support, insurance coverage, travel assistance, an annual study allowance and possible language preparation, the scholarship enables selected students to focus on building advanced expertise in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences or engineering.
Ghanaian graduates are eligible to apply, provided they hold a recognised first degree, do not already possess a master’s qualification and select an eligible tuition-free programme beginning in the 2027–2028 winter semester.
For more information about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.
To discover more global scholarship opportunities, CLICK HERE.
