DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses EPOS 2027/28 (Funded)

The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scholarship supports foreign graduates from development and newly industrialised countries who have at least two years of professional experience. The programme provides funding for selected postgraduate courses in Germany, with the possibility to pursue a postgraduate or Master’s degree and, in exceptional cases, a doctoral degree.

Quick Overview

Programme: Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
Opportunity Type: DAAD scholarship for postgraduate courses
Host Organization: DAAD
Country: Germany
Duration: 12 to 42 months, depending on the study programme
Deadline: Depending on the chosen study programme
Funding: Monthly payments, insurance support, and travel allowance
Eligibility: Graduates from development and newly industrialised countries with at least two years of professional experience

About the DAAD EPOS Scholarship

The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses programme promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialised countries.

The programme is designed for graduates who are professionally engaged in development-related work and want to gain a postgraduate qualification in Germany. DAAD states that well-trained local experts who are connected with international partners play an important role in the sustainable development of their countries.

Through EPOS, selected candidates can study eligible postgraduate courses at state or state-recognised German universities.

What Can Be Funded

The scholarship funds individual participation in postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed in the official EPOS course list.

The programme may support:

• Postgraduate or Master’s degree study at a state or state-recognised German university
• Doctoral study in exceptional cases
• University qualification in Germany

Applicants must apply only for postgraduate courses that are included in the official DAAD EPOS course list.

Also read: DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2027 Master’s Scholarships in Germany

Benefits and Financial Coverage

The DAAD EPOS scholarship provides financial support depending on the applicant’s academic level.

Confirmed scholarship benefits include:

✓ Monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates
✓ Monthly payments of 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates
✓ Monthly payments of 1,400 euros for doctoral candidates beginning with February 2026
✓ Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover
✓ Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding

Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may also receive:

✓ Monthly rent subsidy
✓ Monthly allowance for accompanying family members

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is intended for graduates with professional experience from eligible development and newly industrialised countries.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be a graduate from an eligible country listed by DAAD
• Have at least two years of professional experience
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree, normally a four-year course, in a related subject
• Have completed an academic degree with far above-average results, usually in the upper third
• Have at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree at the time of application
• Have academic degrees that are normally not more than six years old
• Not have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline

The typical scholarship holder works for a public authority, state company, or private company in a developing country. Their work should involve planning and executing directives or projects connected to development policies in technological, economic, or social areas.

Selection Criteria

Candidates are selected based on academic readiness, professional experience, and development-related motivation.

DAAD lists the following selection points:

• Candidates fulfil the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to complete a study programme in Germany successfully
• Candidates have a Bachelor degree, usually a four-year course, in an appropriate subject
• Candidates have at least two years of professional experience
• Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related
• Candidates are expected to take on social responsibility after their training or scholarship
• Candidates can initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment

Check: HTW Berlin MIDE Master’s Programme 2027 in Germany

Language Requirements

Language requirements depend on the chosen study course.

For German-taught courses, the scholarship includes a preparatory six-month German language course in Germany. Applicants must pass DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course.

For German-taught courses, a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application is required and must be proven with a current certificate.

For English-taught courses, applicants must provide proof of adequate language skills according to the requirements of the selected course.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the required application documents in the correct order.

Required documents include:

• Completed and signed checklist
• EPOS application form
• Curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order using the Europass template
• Letter of motivation explaining academic, professional, and personal reasons for applying
• Letter of recommendation from the current employer
• Certificate or certificates of employment showing at least two years of relevant work experience after the Bachelor’s degree
• Recent proof of language skills
• Copies of higher education degree certificates
• Full transcript of records
• APS Certificate for applicants from the People’s Republic of China

Some courses may require additional documents. Applicants should check the relevant course description and the selected university’s website.

Related opportunity on GlobalLinkX: CGI Post-graduate Scholarship 2027 for International Applicants

Application Process

Applications must be sent directly to the respective course. Applications sent to DAAD will not be forwarded to the course or university.

The application process follows these steps:

• Choose an eligible postgraduate course from the official EPOS course list
• Check the course website for the application procedure, deadline, and required documents
• Prepare the complete application in English or German
• Submit the application directly to the selected course
• If applying for more than one course, list up to three courses in order of priority
• Wait for the selection committee review
• If suggested for a DAAD scholarship, upload the complete application documents to the DAAD Portal

Applicants may apply for up to three courses. When applying for more than one course, applicants must explain their choice and prioritisation in the letter of motivation.

Explore: McCall MacBain Scholarships 2027 at McGill University (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline

The application deadline depends on the chosen study programme.

Applicants must check the scholarship brochure or the website of the selected study programme for the exact application deadline. DAAD also states that applications must be sent directly to the respective course.

Important Notes for Applicants

Complete applications must be submitted in English or German to be considered.

Applicants should also keep a copy of each application document. If they are suggested for a DAAD scholarship, these documents must later be uploaded to the DAAD Portal as PDF files.

Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Applicants should also check whether the selected university requires certified copies.

Official Link

Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.

View the Official Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) Page