DDAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Partially funded
DAAD Hilde Domin Programme
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Germany
Scholarship overview
The Hilde Domin Programme is funded by the Federal Foreign Office and administered by DAAD. It supports Master's students and doctoral candidates worldwide who are at risk of being denied educational or other rights in their country of origin, so they can begin or complete a degree at a German higher education institution.
Scholarship holders choose a degree course according to their qualifications, and the scholarship is intended to cover the necessary costs of study or research. Holders also join interdisciplinary trainings. Candidates cannot apply directly: they must be nominated by a German institution.
Award Information
- Master's students and doctoral candidates from all disciplines except human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and law.
- At risk of being denied educational or other rights because of ethnic, sexual, gender or religious identity or political or civic engagement, with a credible threat to personal safety or well-being.
- Educational certificates that qualify for entry to higher education according to the anabin database.
- Not already residing in Germany or the European Union at nomination.
- Not from EU/EEA/EFTA countries, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the United Kingdom.
- Language level B2 in German or English by the nomination deadline.
- Nominated by the management of a German-based institution in science, research, teaching, human rights, peace, democracy or rule of law; one nomination per candidate. Visual arts, performing arts, design, music, film and architecture candidates can only be nominated by accredited higher education institutions with a letter confirming academic ability and willingness to enrol.
- Funding of up to 24 months for a Master's degree and up to 48 months for a doctorate.
- Monthly payment of 992 EUR for Master's students or 1,400 EUR for doctoral candidates.
- Health, accident and personal liability insurance.
- Travel allowance based on the country of origin or present residence.
- Where applicable, a preparatory German course of two, four or six months.
- Additional financial benefits.
Winter semester 2027/28 start: nominations until 15 September 2026; application period 17 September to 15 October 2026. Summer semester 2027 start: nominations until 15 March 2026; application period 17 March to 15 April 2026. Nominations can be submitted online at any time. A separate application to a degree programme and its own university deadline are required for Master's students.
- A German institution or organisation submits the nomination online, with a questionnaire on the nominee's risk situation (form and link available on request).
- After a plausibility check, DAAD contacts suitable candidates and invites them to apply in the DAAD online portal.
- DAAD checks the documents for completeness.
- Master's students apply separately for their degree programme at the university.
Official links
How selection works
An independent selection committee appointed by DAAD assesses both the risk status and academic performance. Multiple nominations give no advantage, and nominations sent by email, post or fax are not accepted.
