DAAD/EPOS Development-Related Postgraduate Courses 2027

Overview

The DAAD/EPOS programme funds development-related postgraduate study in Germany for mid-career professionals from developing countries. Applicants must hold a relevant professional position (or have recently held one) and commit to returning to their home country after graduation. Around 300 scholarships per year are awarded across approximately 60 eligible German postgraduate programmes in public health, water and environmental engineering, agriculture, economics, and social policy.

For the 2027 cohort, the application deadline is 15 October 2026. A full list of EPOS-eligible programmes and their country-specific deadlines is published annually as a PDF on the DAAD website.

Benefits

• Full tuition waiver at the host German institution
• Monthly stipend of EUR 934 for standard Masters students
• International travel allowance (economy return airfare)
• Health and accident insurance
• Rent subsidy and study cost supplement
• German language preparation course where the target programme requires it

Funding lasts for the standard duration of the chosen EPOS programme, typically 12 to 24 months.

Eligibility

• Citizens of countries on the DAAD/EPOS eligible list (primarily sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East)
• At least two years of professional work experience in a development-relevant field after your first degree
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a subject related to the chosen EPOS programme
• Conditional or full admission letter from one of the EPOS-listed German universities
• Typically under 36 years of age (some programmes allow up to 40; check the programme page)
• German language certificate where the programme is taught in German

How to Apply

1. Browse the list of EPOS-eligible programmes using the EPOS filter in the DAAD scholarship database at daad.de.
2. Apply to your chosen German institution and obtain a written conditional admission or acceptance.
3. Submit the full DAAD/EPOS application through the DAAD portal (portal.daad.de) by 15 October 2026, attaching your admission letter, degree certificates, two professional or academic references, and a motivation letter explaining how the degree advances development work in your home country.
4. Results are typically communicated in March or April 2027.

Country-specific sub-deadlines for submitting through your home country’s DAAD office are listed in the annual deadlines PDF. Check this before applying as some countries have earlier internal deadlines.