DAAD Hilde Domin Scholarship Programme 2026-27 — Fully-Funded Opportunity for Students & PhD Candidates at Risk

The DAAD Hilde Domin Scholarship Programme offers a fully-funded scholarship for master’s and doctoral candidates worldwide who are at risk — for example because of political, social, or personal persecution — and are unable to continue their studies in their home countries.

What the Scholarship Offers

• Monthly stipend (currently ~ €992 for master’s students, ~ €1,300 for doctoral candidates)

• Coverage of health, accident, and personal-liability insurance

• Travel allowance for relocation

• Optional preparatory German-language course (2–6 months) when needed

• Additional support depending on individual circumstances

• Duration: up to 24 months for master’s; up to 48 months for doctoral studies

Who Can Be Considered

Eligible candidates are those who:

• Are from non-EU / non-EFTA countries (or otherwise outside Germany/EU at the time of nomination)

• Face credible threats to their personal safety, civil, or educational rights due to ethnic, religious, gender, sexual, political, or civic-engagement grounds

• Hold recognized academic qualifications that permit entrance into a German higher-education institution

• Plan to enroll in a first master’s or doctoral degree (no funding for second master’s or second doctoral degrees)

• Apply for disciplines other than human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or law

How It Works

• Candidates cannot apply directly — they must be nominated by a recognized German institution (university, research organization, or institution working in science/human rights/peace/democracy).

• The nominating institution submits a nomination (including a “risk-situation description”).

• If the nomination passes, the candidate is invited to submit a full application via DAAD’s portal.

• Selection is based on both academic potential and the severity/credibility of the risk faced by the candidate.