DAAD

Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) • DAAD

Overview

Objective
With its development-oriented postgraduate study programmes, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from development and
newly industrialised countries. Well-trained local experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the
sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education and health
for all. The scholarships offer foreign graduates from development and newly industrialised countries from all disciplines and with at least
two years' professional experience the chance to take a postgraduate or Master's degree at a state or state-recognised German university,
and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master's/PhD) in Germany.

Who can apply?

Graduates with at least two years' professional experience from the following countries: list of eligible countries
[https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-studieren-forschen-
lehren/dac_laenderliste_epos.pdf]

What can be funded?

Individual scholarships exclusively for Postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed on the

List of all Postgraduate courses with application deadlines 2023/24

[https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-studieren-forschen-lehren/epos-
bewerbungsdeadlines_2023-24.pdf].

List of all Postgraduate courses with application deadlines 2024/25

[https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-studieren-forschen-
lehren/daad_epos_bewerbungsdeadlines_2024-25.pdf].

Duration of the funding

12 to 42 months (dependent on study programme)

Value

Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 934 euros for graduates or 1,200 euros for doctoral candidates

Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover

Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding

Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:

Monthly rent subsidy

Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family

Selection

Candidates fulfil the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany
(above-average result for first academic exam – top performance third, language skills)

Candidates have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) in an appropriate subject

Candidates have at least two years' professional experience

Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support
processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship
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 Further information

EPOS Brochure 2023/2024 "Development-Related Postgraduate Courses - Educating Professionals for Sustainable Development"
[https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-studieren-forschen-
lehren/daad_programmbroschuere_entwicklungsbezogene_studiengaenge_2023-24.pdf]

EPOS Brochure 2024/2025 "Development-Related Postgraduate Courses - Educating Professionals for Sustainable Development"
[https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-studieren-forschen-
lehren/daad_programmbroschuere_entwicklungsbezogene_studiengaenge_2024-25.pdf]

FAQs [https://www2.daad.de/medien/deutschland/stipendien/formulare/epos_faq_en.pdf]

Application requirements

What requirements must be met?

The Typical Scholarship Holder

works either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, is engaged in the planning and
execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social
areas.

holds a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject.

has completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third) and at least two years of related professional
experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application.

His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.

Applicants who have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline cannot be considered

Language skills

For study courses in German (scholarship includes a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany): Successful passing of
the language examination DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course. Therefore, a minimum German language level of B1
at the time of application is a requirement, that needs to be proofed by providing a current certificate.
Note: It is not possible to pass the required German language courses (DSH or TestDaF) without any previous basic knowledge in the
German language (at least B1 Level), even with the preceding six-month intensive course in Germany. Passing the language test is a
formal prerequisite for matriculation at the respective German university.

For courses in English: IELTS (Band 6) certificate or TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 80 internet based)
Note: Some courses may expect a different level. For detailed information see the relevant course description on the following pages.

Application Procedure

Application documents
Applications have only to be sent to the respective course directly! Please refer to their respective websites for the application procedure
(e.g. online application), for the application deadline and the documents to be submitted.
Applications sent to the DAAD will not be forwarded to the respective course/university.

You can apply for up to three courses. If applying to more than one course, please list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application
forms (see 7. Choice of host university/institution in Germany) and do not change the priorities in the according application form!

Application documents
Required documents (in the following order):

Completed and signed checklist [https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-

studieren-forschen-lehren/epos_checkliste.pdf]
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 DAAD application [https://www.daad.de/medien/deutschland/stipendien/formulare/forschungsstipendium_en.pdf]
“Application for a research/study scholarship” (please type your answers or make sure they are easy to read)

A curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (please use the europass template
[http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/] including exact information about your studies, and on practical experience

One Letter of Motivation with detailed reference to academic, professional and personal reasons for applying for the programme.
IMPORTANT: When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), please also give detailed reasons for your
choice of courses and prioritisation in the letter of motivation. Please submit a uniform letter of motivation to all postgraduate degree
programmes of your choice.

[listLetter of recommendation from your current employer; the letter must include official letterhead, signature and official stamp and
must be of current date (not in a sealed envelope)]

Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) showing at least two years of relevant work experience after the Bachelor's degree
up to the time of application and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home. The
certificate of employment from the current employer should, if possible, include a guarantee of re-employment after returning to the
home country.

Recent proof of Language Skills:

o English – IELTS or TOEFL (Note: The institutional TOEFL is not accepted)
o German – required for courses taught in German

Copies of your higher education degree certificates. Please provide a certified translation if the original is not in German or English,
and make sure these are clearly legible.

Copy of your full set of transcript of records. Please provide an explanation of the grading system if this is not part of the transcript.

Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.

Note: Some courses may require additional documents. For detailed information, please see the relevant course description in the
Brochure and on the respective websites.

IMPORTANT:
The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered.
Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to submit one motivation letter explaining why
you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority. If this information is ignored, the application cannot be
considered or an already awarded scholarship might be withdrawn.

Please check with the requirements of the according University whether certified copies are required.

Application deadline
Depending on chosen study programme; please check scholarship brochure or the website of your chosen study programme.

Application location
Apply directly to the chosen study programme

Application and Selection Procedure

Step 1: You send your complete application(s) directly to the according postgraduate course.
Step 2: A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
Step 3: The suggested candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal.
Step 4: The selection process will be finalized, and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.
IMPORTANT:
Make sure that you have a copy of each document of your application ready, as those documents (as PDF files) have to be uploaded to the
DAAD Portal in case you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship!

Please also take note of our important scholarship information [https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-

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 Please also take note of our important scholarship information [https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-
research-in-germany/scholarships/important-information-for-scholarship-applicants/].

Copy this link: daad.de/go/en/stipa50076777

Updated 2023-04-17
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