DAAD GROW Scholarship In Germany 2027 (Fully Funded)

Overview

The DAAD GROW Scholarship (Global Research Opportunities for the South) is offered by the German Academic Exchange Service and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. It supports development-oriented research aligned with global priorities such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, letting researchers from developing regions spend between one and six months at leading research institutions in Germany.

What you get

A monthly stipend is paid at €1,400 for PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, €2,000 for lecturers and assistant professors, and €2,150 for senior academics and professors. The package also includes an international travel allowance, health, accident and liability insurance, additional support for researchers with disabilities, and access to German research facilities and academic networks. Short visits last one to two months and extended stays two to six months. All research activities must be completed by 31 January 2027.

Who can apply

Applicants must be non-German citizens from an eligible developing country, affiliated with a recognized university or research institution at home, and not currently living or working in Germany. They need a strong academic and research background, and postdoctoral applicants must have finished their PhD within the last four years. Research should be clearly aligned with development goals, in areas such as public health, climate change and sustainability, governance and development studies, engineering and technology, or social sciences. Interdisciplinary and applied proposals are encouraged.

How to apply

Applicants first identify a German host professor or institute, then prepare a research proposal that highlights development impact. The documents are a detailed research proposal, an academic CV, proof of qualifications, a letter of invitation or evidence of contact with the host, and a transfer plan explaining how the research will benefit the home country. Everything is submitted online through the DAAD application system. Independent expert committees review applications on academic excellence, proposal quality and relevance, development impact, feasibility and potential for long-term collaboration.