DAAD Scholarship for PhD Study in Germany: How to Apply
- Country
- Germany
- Institution
- Any state or state-recognised German university or research institute
- Value
- Monthly stipend plus insurance, research allowance and travel support (3–4 years)
- Level
- phd
- Eligibility
- International Students
- Field
- Any/All fields of study
About
Quick answer: The DAAD Research Grant — Doctoral Programmes in Germany funds Nigerians to complete a full PhD in Germany (individually supervised project or a structured doctoral programme) for up to three years, extendable to a fourth. It covers a monthly stipend, health insurance, an annual research allowance and travel support — confirm the current stipend rate in the DAAD scholarship database.
Applications go straight to DAAD via its online portal (no Nigerian nominating agency). Deadlines are country-specific and updated each year — open the DAAD scholarship database, select Nigeria as your country of origin, and check the date shown there before you start.
Don’t confuse this with DAAD’s short-term research grants (2–12 month stays) or the EPOS programmes (mostly Master’s) — aggregator blogs regularly mix the three up and quote the wrong deadline.
Eligibility
- A degree equivalent to a German Master’s, completed no more than 6 years before the deadline.
- If your doctorate has already started, it must be within its first 3 years.
- A convincing research proposal with a confirmed German supervisor or host institution — secure this before applying.
- Not resident in Germany for more than 15 months at application.
Additional Information
How to apply: find a supervisor (the DAAD and university websites list research groups), agree your proposal, then apply through the DAAD portal from the scholarship database entry. Application is free. The portal closes at midnight German time on deadline day — late submissions are rejected automatically.