The DAAD GROW Scholarship 2026 in Germany is a fully funded short-term research program for doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, and scientists from eligible countries in the Global South. Officially called GROW – Global Research Opportunities for the South, the program supports research stays in Germany that must begin in 2026 and finish by 31 January 2027, with the application deadline set for 30 April 2026.

Basic Information about the Scholarships

• Scholarship name: DAAD GROW Scholarship 2026 in Germany.
• Official program name: GROW – Global Research Opportunities for the South.
• Host country: Germany.
• Funding organization: DAAD.
• Program purpose: Short-term funded research stays and research cooperation in Germany.
• Who it is for:
  • Doctoral candidates.
  • Postdoctoral researchers.
  • Assistant professors and lecturers.
  • Professors and established scientists.
• Funding period:
  • Must begin in 2026
  • Must be completed by 31 January 2027.
• Program lines:
  • Programme Line 1: Preparatory and cooperation visits, 1–2 months.
  • Programme Line 2: Research stays, 2–6 months.
• 📅 Duration
  • Must start in 2026 (July/August)
  • Must end by 31 January 2027
  • ❌ No extension allowed
• Funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
• Funding depends on approval (not guaranteed until confirmed)
• Application deadline: 30 April 2026.

Objective

• Supports researchers from developing countries (Africa, Latin America, Asia)
• Funds short research stays in Germany
• Aims to:
  • Improve research skills
  • Build international networks
  • Support development-related research
• Focus on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Programme Options:

1. Preparatory & Cooperation Visits
   • Develop research ideas & partnerships
   • Duration: 1–2 months
2. Research Stays
   • Conduct independent research
   • Duration: 2–6 months

❌ Conferences/travel presentations not funded

University/Institution Details

The DAAD GROW Scholarship is not tied to one single university. Instead, it allows selected researchers to carry out a funded research stay at a German university or non-university research institute with a host in Germany. The program is offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and is funded with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with a strong focus on research cooperation and capacity building connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This makes it especially attractive for applicants searching for DAAD research scholarship 2026, Germany short-term research fellowship, or fully funded research stay in Germany.

Study Areas

• Program nature: This is a research fellowship, not a degree scholarship, so applicants do not choose from a fixed list of university degree programs.
• Research scope: The project should be linked to academic research and have a strong development-related orientation with relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Common field examples mentioned in public summaries:
  • Agriculture and food systems.
  • Renewable energy.
  • Urban governance.
  • Public policy and governance.
  • Health and development-related research.
  • Social sciences and institutional development.
• Best practical interpretation:
  • The scholarship can support a wide range of fields as long as the research project is academically strong, development-oriented, and hosted at an eligible German institution.

DAAD GROW Scholarship Benefits

Benefits

• Monthly stipend:
  • €1,400 per month for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers.
  • €2,000 per month for assistant professors and lecturers.
  • €2,150 per month for full professors and established scientists.
• Travel allowance
• Health & insurance coverage
• Possible extra support (e.g., disability)

• Possible additional support:
  • Applicants with a disability or chronic illness may apply for extra funding for justified additional costs during the stay abroad.
• Research access:
  • Fellows gain access to German research infrastructure, laboratories, libraries, and scientific networks through their host institution.

Benefits not included

• It is not a degree scholarship, so it does not cover tuition for bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD enrollment in Germany.
• Long-term settlement funding is not included, because the program supports only short-term research stays of 1 to 6 months depending on the line.
• Unlimited personal spending is not part of the program package.
• Family allowance is not clearly listed as a standard benefit in the official scholarship database page reviewed here, so applicants should not assume it is included unless separately confirmed.
• Funding cannot be split into separate blocks, so applicants cannot break the supported stay into multiple disconnected visits.

Eligibility Criteria for the DAAD GROW Scholarship

• Doctoral students (PhD)
• Postdoctoral researchers (PhD completed within 4 years)
• University teachers & professors
• Must:
  • Be from OECD DAC-listed countries
  • Work at a university/research institute
• ❌ Not eligible if:
  • Already in Germany
  • Doing full research in Germany
• Research must:
  • Address real-world problems
  • Benefit home country
  • Build long-term collaboration
• ✅ Women & disadvantaged groups encouraged
• Research linked to SDGs (health, education, climate, etc.)
• Must have development impact

• Research quality requirement:
  • The project should clearly explain the academic value of the research stay and its expected benefit for the applicant’s career and home-country institution.
• Host requirement:
  • Applicants need a German host institution or host academic connection for the proposed research stay.
• Funding frequency:
  • Applicants may receive GROW funding more than once at the same academic stage if technically justified, but only once per year.

Selection Criteria

🔹 Programme 1 (Visits)

• Academic background
• Quality & relevance to development
• Feasibility of plan
• Networking potential
• Impact on home country

🔹 Programme 2 (Research)

• Academic results & publications
• Strong research proposal
• Clear plan to apply results at home
• Career benefits & motivation
• Social/extra activities

Required Documents for the Application

• Completed online application form through the DAAD portal.
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form, maximum 2 pages.
• List of publications, maximum 2 pages, for the most important published work.
• Letter of motivation, maximum 1 page, explaining the academic and personal reasons for the project and what the applicant hopes to gain from the research stay.
• Proof of doctoral admission, enrollment, or supervision for doctoral candidates.
• One recent supporting recommendation letter on a DAAD form.
• Translations into English or German for documents in other languages where required.
• Additional project-related materials may be needed through the DAAD portal depending on the selected program line and applicant status.

DAAD GROW Scholarship Application Process

• Step 1: Identify a suitable German university or research institute that matches your research area.
• Step 2: Contact a potential German host researcher or institution and discuss the possibility of a hosting arrangement.
• Step 3: Decide which funding track fits your plan:
  • Programme Line 1 for preparatory or cooperation visits
  • Programme Line 2 for a structured research stay.
• Step 4: Prepare your application documents, including your CV, publication list, motivation letter, and recommendation materials.
• Step 5: Register in the DAAD portal and complete the online application form.
• Step 6: Upload all documents in the required format and check that no file is missing, because incomplete applications are not considered.
• Step 7: Submit the application before 30 April 2026.
• Step 8: If selected, organize your research stay so that it begins in 2026 and ends no later than 31 January 2027.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Find a strong German host early, because the host relationship is central to a convincing application.
• Connect your project to the SDGs, since the program is explicitly development-oriented.
• Keep your motivation letter focused, because the official requirement limits it to one page.
• Use a clean, complete CV, since DAAD asks for a tabular CV without gaps.
• Show how the research benefits your home institution, not just your personal career.
• Apply before the deadline, because DAAD online portals can become busy near closing dates.
• Check your residence status carefully, because staying in Germany too long before the deadline can make you ineligible.

Monthly Living Expenses for International Students

• Accommodation: Around USD 500 to USD 900 per month depending on the German city and housing type.
• Food and groceries: Around USD 220 to USD 380 per month.
• Transportation: Around USD 50 to USD 120 per month, depending on local student and public transport options.
• Utilities and internet: Around USD 100 to USD 180 per month if not included in rent.
• Study and research materials: Around USD 40 to USD 100 per month.
• Personal expenses: Around USD 100 to USD 250 per month.
• Estimated total monthly cost: Around USD 1,010 to USD 1,930 for a moderate living budget in Germany during a research stay.
• Budget note: For doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, the €1,400 monthly stipend can cover a major share of regular living costs, while higher academic ranks receive even larger monthly support.

Why Choose This Scholarship?

• It is fully funded, covering stipend, travel, and insurance.
• It supports short-term research in Germany, which is ideal for scholars who do not want a full degree relocation.
• It connects research to development impact, especially through the SDG-oriented focus.
• It is open to multiple academic stages, from doctoral candidates to professors.
• It gives access to German research institutions, which can improve publications, partnerships, and long-term collaboration.
• It supports researchers from the Global South, helping strengthen institutions and capacity in home countries.
• It offers flexible funding lines, allowing both short cooperation visits and longer research stays.

Frequently Asked Questions about the scholarship

• Is the DAAD GROW Scholarship 2026 fully funded?
  Yes, it covers a monthly stipend, travel allowance, and health, accident, and liability insurance.
• What is the application deadline?
  The deadline is 30 April 2026.
• Is this a degree scholarship?
  No, it is a short-term research fellowship, not a degree scholarship.
• Who can apply?
  Eligible applicants include doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, professors, and scientists from eligible OECD DAC-listed countries.
• How much is the stipend?
  Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers receive €1,400 per month, lecturers receive €2,000, and professors receive €2,150.
• How long is the research stay?
  Depending on the line, it ranges from 1–2 months or 2–6 months.
• Do I need a German host?
  Yes, the program requires a host institution or academic connection in Germany for the research stay.
• Can I apply if I already live in Germany?
  Not if you have been resident in Germany for more than 15 months at the application deadline.

Duration

• Deadline: 30 April 2026.
• Must start in 2026 (July/August)
• Must end by 31 January 2027
• ❌ No extension allowed

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