When are the DAAD scholarship application deadlines?

DAAD scholarship application deadlines vary from category to category — missing the correct deadline will lead to the rejection of your application.

#Master Studies in Germany (Most Popular)

#For Wintersemester (Starting October 2026)

• Application deadline: September 30, 2025 (end of the previous year)
• Interview: October-November 2025
• Decision: December 2025
• Scholarship start: October 2026
• German course (if necessary): April-October 2026

#For Sommersemester (Starting April 2026)

• Application deadline: June 15, 2025
• Interview: July-September 2025
• Decision: October 2025
• Scholarship start: April 2026

Wintersemester (October) is the most common start — most categories are designed for Wintersemester.

#PhD in Germany

#3 Different Application Periods

• March application: Spring semester start → September 2026
• May application: Autumn start → February 2026
• September application: Spring start → May 2026

#Decision Times

• From application to acceptance letter: 6-8 months
• Interview usually 2-3 months after application

#Other Category Dates

#Re-invitation for Former Scholarship Holders

• Application: Open all year (rolling basis)
• Decision: 3-4 months

#Research Stays for Doctoral Candidates (Short-term)

• March application: September 2025 start → March 2026 deadline
• May application: December 2025 → May 2026
• September application: March 2026 → September 2026

#Working Internships in Science and Engineering (WISE)

• Application deadline: December 15, 2025 (for Summer 2026 internship)
• Decision: February-March 2026
• Internship: June-September 2026

#Summer Course Programme

• Application deadline: December 1, 2025 (for Summer 2026 course)
• Decision: February 2026
• Course: July-August 2026

#Bi-nationally Supervised PhD (Sandwich)

• Application deadline: February 15, May 15, September 15
• Decision: 3-4 months

#Faculty Research Stays

• Application: Open all year
• Decision: 3-4 months

#Critical Deadlines for 2026

#Recommended Application Preparation Time

#For Master Studies (Wintersemester)

• Application deadline: September 30, 2025 (for October 2026 start)
• Start in February of the previous year:
  • February-March: Collect documents (diploma, transcript, translation)
  • April-May: University admission application (for Anabin equivalency)
  • June-August: Complete DAAD documents (motivation letter, reference)
  • Early September: Submit online application

Total preparation time: 6-8 months

#For PhD

• Application deadline: May 15, 2025 (for February 2026 start)
• Start in September of the previous year:
  • September-December: Prepare Forschungsexposé, search for a professor
  • January-February: Professor communication, Betreuungszusage
  • March-April: Complete documents
  • Early May: Online application

#Common Mistakes

• Preparing the application in the last month — not enough, documents will be incomplete
• Missing the university admission deadline — DAAD application requires university admission
• Getting the language certificate late — TestDaF/IELTS preparation takes 3-4 months
• Not accounting for the Apostille process — district governor's office + provincial governor's office 2-3 weeks

#Important Tip

• Start preparation 1 year before the application
• University admission should come before the DAAD application (apply to university in May, get a response in July-September, DAAD in October)
• Missing documents automatically leads to rejection of the application — double-check

#Academic Year Structure (Germany)

#Wintersemester

• Start: October 1
• End: March 31
• Most common Master's start period

#Sommersemester

• Start: April 1
• End: September 30
• For late application or exchange

Most Master's programs only accept for Wintersemester — that's why the September deadline is critical.

Related: DAAD application process | DAAD documents.