DAAD Hilde Domin Programme

Benefits & funding

• Monthly scholarship of EUR 992 for master’s students or EUR 1,400 for doctoral candidates.
• Funding for up to 24 months for a master’s degree or up to 48 months for a doctorate.
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance.
• A travel allowance based on the recipient’s country of origin or current residence.
• If applicable, a two-, four- or six-month preparatory German course.
• Additional financial benefits; eligible recipients may apply for spouse and child allowances when their family resides in Germany.

Eligibility

• The candidate must be seeking a master’s degree or doctorate and face a credible threat to personal safety or educational rights in the country of origin because of ethnic, sexual, gender or religious identity and/or political or civic engagement.
• Nationals of all countries may be nominated except nationals of EU, EEA or EFTA states, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the United Kingdom.
• At nomination, the candidate must not already reside in Germany, the EU, the EEA or the EFTA.
• A recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required by the scholarship start for a master’s route; a recognised master’s degree or equivalent is required by then for a doctoral route. A second master’s or doctoral degree is not funded.
• All academic disciplines are eligible except human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy or pharmacology, and law. Special nomination and admission evidence rules apply to specified arts, design, film, music and architecture fields.
• The candidate must have German or English proficiency at CEFR B2 or above and provide official proof, generally issued within the previous two years.
• The candidate must be legally an adult at nomination, usually at least 18. As a rule, the last university degree or matriculation must be no more than six years old at application.
• Nomination must come from the management of an eligible legal entity based in Germany and active in science, research, teaching, human-rights protection, peace, democracy or the rule of law.

Application process

1. 1
   The candidate identifies an eligible Germany-based institution or organisation willing to nominate them; self-nomination is not accepted.
2. 2
   The nominating body requests the online nomination link and risk-description form from DAAD, then submits both the nomination and risk questionnaire by 15 September 2026.
3. 3
   After an initial plausibility review, DAAD invites suitable candidates to apply through its online portal between 17 September and 15 October 2026.
4. 4
   The invited candidate submits the required academic records, German or English translations where needed, language proof and a one- to two-page motivation letter. A master’s candidate later applies separately to the intended university programme.
5. 5
   DAAD checks completeness and formal eligibility; an independent committee assesses risk and academic merit, and suitable candidates may be invited to an online academic interview.

Program timeline

1. Nomination deadline for the winter 2027/28 intake.

   Sep 15, 2026

2. Invited application period opens.

   Sep 17, 2026

3. Invited application deadline.

   Oct 15, 2026

4. Not published

   Online interview and selection-decision dates.

5. Planned study start.

   Winter semester 2027/28