DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2027/28 in Germany (Fully Funded, for Developing Countries)

The DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2027/28 is fully funded. It pays a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a travel allowance for a master’s or PhD in Germany, and it is built specifically for young professionals from developing countries.

EPOS stands for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses. It is not one course but a group of around 40 master’s and PhD programmes at German universities, taught mostly in English, in fields tied to development. You pick one course from the DAAD list and apply for the scholarship with it.

Overview

What is the DAAD EPOS Scholarship?

DAAD is Germany’s academic exchange service, and EPOS is its scholarship for people from developing countries who want a postgraduate degree that feeds back into their home country’s development. It funds around 40 approved master’s and PhD courses, in areas like economics, engineering, public policy, agriculture, health, and the environment.

You apply to one EPOS course and, in the same process, for the DAAD scholarship that funds it. Get selected, and DAAD covers your studies and living costs in Germany.

What the scholarship covers

• A monthly stipend (around 992 euros for master’s students, and about 1,300 euros for PhD students)
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
• A travel allowance to and from Germany
• Possible monthly rent support and an allowance for accompanying family members
• In many courses, a German language course before your studies begin

Confirm the exact current rates on the official DAAD page, since DAAD sets them each year.

Fields you can study

• Economics and business, and development studies
• Public policy, governance, and administration
• Engineering, water, and energy
• Agriculture, food, and rural development
• Public health and the environment

Who can apply

• You are from a developing country on the DAAD list. Most of West and Central Africa qualifies.
• You have at least two years of relevant professional experience after your first degree. Teaching or research at a university does not count as this experience.
• Your last degree is no more than six years old at the time you apply.
• Your degree is above average, in the upper third of your class.
• You have lived in Germany for no more than 15 months when you apply.

Is there an age limit?

There is no fixed age limit. The real limits are the two-year work experience rule and the six-year degree rule, so EPOS suits people a few years into their career rather than fresh graduates.

Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?

Most EPOS courses are taught in English and ask for proof of English, usually IELTS or TOEFL. A few need German. Check your chosen course for its exact requirement, and start on the test early if you do not have a score.

Can I apply with average grades?

EPOS asks for an above-average degree, in the upper third of your class. If your grades are strong and your work experience is relevant, you are a good fit. Your professional experience and your motivation carry real weight here, so make them clear.

Required documents

• The DAAD application form for your chosen course
• Your CV in the required format
• A motivation letter tied to your course and your development goals
• Your degree certificates and transcripts
• Proof of at least two years of work experience
• Proof of English (or German), as the course requires
• References or letters of recommendation, if the course asks

How to write your motivation letter

EPOS is about development, so connect the dots: your work so far, the course you chose, and what you will do with it back home. Be specific about the problem you want to help solve and how this degree fits. Write plainly, keep it to the length asked, and tie every paragraph back to your country and your field.

How to apply, step by step

1. Open the DAAD scholarship database and filter for EPOS, or Development-Related Postgraduate Courses.
2. Pick a course that matches your field and career.
3. Read that course’s own deadline and document list carefully.
4. Prepare your CV, motivation letter, degree documents, work-experience proof, and language score.
5. Apply to the course and for the DAAD scholarship as that course instructs, before its deadline.

Selection process

Each EPOS course reviews applications on your degree, your work experience, and your motivation. Strong candidates are shortlisted, and DAAD makes the final scholarship decisions. Because you choose the course, your fit with that specific programme matters.

Deadline

Varies by course. Many EPOS courses close on 15 October 2026 for studies starting October 2027.

Each course sets its own deadline, mostly between August and October. Find your course early, note its exact date, and work back from there. Confirm the deadline and the documents on the official DAAD course page before you submit.

Have a question?

Drop your question in the comments and we will help. Tell us your field and your years of experience, and we will point you toward EPOS courses that fit.

Related reading

More fully funded opportunities to explore on the site:

• Erasmus Mundus MARIHE Scholarship 2027
• ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/2028
• Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28

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Apply on the Official DAAD EPOS Website