Country-Specific Information for Applicants from the US and Canada

Young graduates standing in a row smiling in robes and doctoral hats.
© iStockphoto
Select a scholarship or grant below to view regional-specific information for applicants from the United States and Canada. For full descriptions of each program, please visit the scholarship database.

Objective

Highly qualified final year undergraduate students or those who have received an undergraduate degree of all disciplines may apply for the DAAD Study Scholarship for a full Master’s degree program at a State or State-recognized university in Germany or for a study at a German university as part of a postgraduate or Master’s degree program completed in the home country.

Please note: For applicants from artistic disciplines and the field of architecture, DAAD offers subject-specific scholarship programs: MusicFine Art/Design/FilmPerforming ArtArchitecture

Eligibility requirements

  • Students in their last year of undergraduate studies at an accredited US or Canadian university.
  • US or Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • Foreign nationals who live in the USA or in Canada by the time of application deadline are eligible, if your last degree was obtained in the US/Canada, or you will have received a degree in the US/Canada before your scholarship starts. All other foreign nationals may need to apply via a different DAAD office.
  • Recent BA/BS or MA/MS graduates who completed their last degree no longer than 6 years ago.
  • Applicants may not have been living in Germany for more than 15 consecutive months by the time of application deadline.
  • A Master’s degree program already started in Germany cannot be funded.

Application Guidelines

The DAAD portal closes at MIDNIGHT Central European Time (6 PM EST/5PM CST/4PM MTN/3PM PST) on the deadline date. 

  1. Check here if your University is a DAAD Partner University.
  • At a DAAD Partner University: contact your DAAD campus coordinator and follow the application guidelines for your university’s pre-selection. Please note that your university may have an earlier internal deadline. (if you miss your university’s deadline, you may follow the general application guidelines). This does not apply to short-term research grant applicants or to performing/visual artists.
  • Not at a DAAD Partner University: follow the general application guidelines
  1. Application Checklist for US & Canadian applicants [PDF 128.54 KB]
  1. Helpful Links for the Online Portal
  1. After You Submit Your Application
  • Please DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL. You will receive an acknowledgement letter through the portal 8 weeks after the deadline.
  • Results will be announced through the portal at the beginning of April.
  • Application decisions will not be accompanied with an explanation.
  • The application documents remain with the DAAD. Your personal data is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and with the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as this data is needed to process the application.

Objective

Highly qualified doctoral students in a US/Canadian program (or those who will be enrolled by the beginning of funding) interested in a research project in Germany for funding between 2 – 12 months, or those who have already completed a PhD (postdocs) for funding between 2 – 6 months.

Eligibility requirement

  • US or Canadian citizens or permanent residents
  • Foreign nationals who live in the US/Canada by the time of application deadline must have gained their last degree in the US/Canada or will be gaining it before the beginning of their funding period.
  • All other foreign nationals may need to apply via a different DAAD office.
  • Doctoral students enrolled in a program in the US/Canada: no more than 3 years should have passed since receiving ABD status.
  • Postdocs: You should not have completed your doctorate more than 4 years before the application deadline.
  • If students are not yet admitted into a PhD program by the application deadline but will be admitted by the beginning of funding, they are eligible. In this case, students must submit the confirmation of admission later.
  • Applicants may not have been living in Germany for more than 15 consecutive months by the time of application deadline.
  • If you are a German citizen, you must have been living abroad for at least 10 years or have had strong ties to the country of residence for at least five years (e.g., through permanent employment, second citizenship, unlimited residence permit) at the time of the application deadline. Please call our office to make sure you are eligible.
  • You cannot apply if you are doing your entire doctorate at a German university.

Application Guidelines

The DAAD portal closes at MIDNIGHT Central European Time (6 PM EST/5PM CST/4PM MTN/3PM PST) on the deadline date. 

There are two deadlines each year, in the spring and in the fall.

  • For the fall deadline please refer to Nr. 1-4 below.
  • For the spring deadline please refer to Nr. 2-4 below (there is no partner university pre-selection in the spring).
  1. Check here if your University is a DAAD Partner University (only for the fall deadline).
  • At a DAAD Partner University: contact your DAAD campus coordinator and follow the application guidelines for your university’s pre-selection. Please note that your university may have an earlier internal deadline. (If you miss your university’s deadline, you may follow the general application guidelines.) This does not apply to those who are applying for funding bet. 2-6 months or to performing/visual artists.
  • Not at a DAAD Partner University: follow the general application guidelines (Nr. 2-4 below)
  1. Application Checklist for US & Canadian Applicants [PDF 121.17 KB]
  1. Helpful Links for the Online Portal
  1. After You Submit Your Application
  • Please DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL. You will receive an acknowledgement letter through the portal 8 weeks after the deadline.
  • Results will be announced through the portal at the beginning of April (fall deadline) and at the beginning of September (spring deadline).
  • Application decisions will not be accompanied with an explanation.
  • The application documents remain with the DAAD. Your personal data is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and with the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as this data is needed to process the application.

Eligibility requirements

  • US or Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • Foreign nationals who live in the US/Canada by the time of application deadline must have completed their last degree in the US/Canada or will complete it before the beginning of their funding period.
  • All other foreign nationals may need to apply via a different DAAD office.
  • Applicants may not have been living in Germany for more than 15 consecutive months by the time of application deadline.
  • If you are a German citizen, you must have been living abroad for at least 10 years or have had strong ties to the country of residence for at least five years (e.g., through permanent employment, second citizenship, unlimited residence permit) at the time of the application deadline. Please call our office to make sure you are eligible.
  • Depending on the nature of the project, you can apply for:
    a) bi-national supervision based on the “sandwich model”. You can apply if you have earned a Master’s degree or Diplom (or in exceptional cases a Bachelor’s degree) at the latest at the start of the funding period.
    b) ”Cotutelle model”. You can apply if you have been admitted to a doctoral program at the latest at the start of the funding period.

Application Guidelines

The DAAD portal closes at MIDNIGHT Central European Time (6 PM EST/5PM CST/4PM MTN/3PM PST) on the deadline date. 

  1. Application Checklist for US & Canadian applicants [PDF 122.40 KB]
  2. Helpful Links for the Online Portal
  1. After You Submit Your Application
  • Please DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL. You will receive an acknowledgement letter through the portal  8 weeks after the deadline.
  • Results will be announced through the Portal at the beginning of April.
  • Application decisions will notbe accompanied with an explanation.
  • The application documents remain with the DAAD. Data relating to applicants is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act insofar as this data is needed to process applications.

Objective

University teachers in the following disciplines are eligible to apply: Architecture, Urban Planning, Fine Art, Film, Design, Visual Communication, Performing Arts, Music

Eligibility requirements

  • US or Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • German nationals must have been affiliated with a US or Canadian institution in full-time employment for at least ten consecutive years.

Application Guidelines

The DAAD portal closes at MIDNIGHT Central European Time (6 PM EST/5PM CST/4PM MTN/3PM PST) on the deadline date. 

After You Submit Your Application

    • As soon as you have submitted your application online, you will automatically receive confirmation that your application has been successfully submitted and an e-mail informing you that a message has been sent to you via the portal’s messaging system confirming receipt.
    • Please do not call or email. You will receive an email notification 8 weeks after the deadline confirming receipt of your complete application.
    • Results will be announced approximately 3-4 months after the application deadline.
    • Please note that no reasons for decisions will be given.
    • The application documents remain with the DAAD. Your personal data is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and with the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as this data is needed to process the application.

Objective

Former holders of DAAD research grants or study scholarships who were funded for a period of over six months.

Eligibility requirements

  • US or Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • German nationals must have been affiliated with a US or Canadian institution in full-time employment for at least ten consecutive years.

Application Guidelines

The DAAD portal closes at MIDNIGHT Central European Time (6 PM EST/5PM CST/4PM MTN/3PM PST) on the deadline date. 

After You Submit Your Application

    • As soon as you have submitted your application online, you will automatically receive confirmation that your application has been successfully submitted and an e-mail informing you that a message has been sent to you via the portal’s messaging system confirming receipt.
    • Please do not call or email. You will receive an email notification 8 weeks after the deadline confirming receipt of your complete application.
    • Results will be announced approximately 3-4 months after the application deadline.
    • Please note that no reasons for decisions will be given.
    • The application documents remain with the DAAD. Your personal data is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and with the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as this data is needed to process the application.

Advertisements by German Universities

1/14

Master in Human and Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc./M.A.)

"Discover our interdisciplinary Master's program in Human and Artificial Intelligence for Philosophy, Psychology, and Computer Science graduates."

More

Global Food, Nutrition and Health (M.Sc.)

Your master’s degree for a better world! Be a part of our international master’s programme at the Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health and apply now!

More

Professional Master of Public Policy (MPP)

A brighter future needs smarter policies. Shape solutions for global policy challenges with our MPP program, designed for young professionals.

More

GET MA – Global and European Transformations: Social Sciences with a G...

GET MA offers an interdisciplinary master's program combining political science and sociology, with a double degree from Berlin and Ankara. Ideal for careers in diplomacy, policy advising, NGOs and ac...

More
Logo Universität Bayreuth

Food System Sciences (M.Sc.)

Your master’s degree for a better world! Be a part of our international master’s programme at the Faculty of Life Sciences: Food System Sciences and apply now!

More

Discover the business of tomorrow – enhance your career opportunities ...

Advance your career with an MBA from Pforzheim University, one of the leading Business Schools in Germany!

Mehr

LL.M. in European and International – Start your global career now!

Study European Integration, Economic Law, Trade, Investment and IDR as well as Human Rights together with students from more than 30 countries!

More
Hof University - University of Applied Sciences Logo RGB

Hands-on Master’s programs at Hof University Graduate School

Boost your career with our practical M.B.A. and M.Eng. programs, including a one-year industry internship to gain real-world experience!

More

MBA & Engineering in Life Science Management Programme

Internationally accredited MBA&E providing life science expertise required in leaders of the future combining comprehensive, industry-specific knowledge and management skills.

More

“Level up your finance future — propel your career with our MBA in Fin...

“Unlock your finance and leadership potential – our premium, accredited MBA in Financial Management opens doors to top careers in Germany’s thriving market.”

More

MBA IN INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT --> YOUR KEY TO SUCCESS

Esslingen University - one of Germany’s leading universities for applied sciences. Core areas: engineering, management, applied research.

More

Get a truly international education!

Are you looking to study at a German university that will launch your international career? Join us at ESB Business School for a top-tier education!

More

AI & Robotics (M.Sc.)

Join a new AI-focused university – and shape the future. Start your Master’s at the University of Technology Nuremberg, Germany.

More

English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at Hof University

Shape your future with our career-focused Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in English, featuring hands-on learning, internships, and strong industry connections!

More

Contact

Location pin on map display