Germany remains one of the strongest global destinations for fully funded graduate study, postdoctoral research, public policy training, and international academic mobility.
With its world-class universities, advanced research institutions, and generous state-funded scholarship ecosystem, the country continues to attract students, researchers, and professionals from every region.
The 2025–2026 fellowship cycle offers a wide array of prestigious opportunities across disciplines, with programs supported by DAAD, major political foundations, the Humboldt Foundation, and leading German research networks such as Max Planck, Helmholtz, and Leibniz.
Below is a consolidated guide to the most competitive fellowships and scholarships in Germany, along with key deadlines for 2025–2026 or the expected 2026 cycles where new dates are pending.
These programs support master’s and PhD study, postdoctoral research, climate and leadership fellowships, and structured graduate school admissions.
Deadline: Varies by course; generally Aug–Dec 2026
🔗 https://www.daad.de/en/
Deadline: July 2026
🔗 https://www.daad.de/en/
Deadline: Oct–Nov 2026 (expected)
🔗 https://www.daad.de/en/
Deadline: February 2026
🔗 https://www.daad.de/rise
Deadline: Dec 2025 (next cycle expected Dec 2026)
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gEEq8rts
Deadline: July 2026
🔗 https://www.kas.de
Deadline: Ongoing; major rounds April & Oct 2026
🔗 https://www.fes.de
Deadline: April 2026 & October 2026
🔗 https://www.freiheit.org
Deadline: Rolling (all year)
🔗 https://lnkd.in/g_Gu8AKf
Deadline: February 2026
🔗 https://lnkd.in/g_Gu8AKf
Deadline: Varies; mostly Dec 2025–April 2026 (similar in 2026–27)
🔗 https://www.mpg.de
Deadline: Programme-based; major rounds April–July 2026
🔗 https://www.helmholtz.de
Deadline: Varies; typically March–June 2026
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gH_9kDBB
Deadline: September 2026
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gHWWKdHZ
Deadline: October 2026
🔗 https://www.daad.de/en/
Deadline: March 2026
🔗 https://www.daad.de/en/
Deadline: March 2026
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gCQwtriM
Deadline: Jan–Feb 2026 (varies by program)
🔗 https://www.uni-bonn.de
Deadline: April–June 2026
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gvitS4Bx
Deadline: Feb–March 2026
🔗 https://www.daad.de/en/
Germany remains one of the world’s strongest destinations for fully funded scholarships and international research opportunities, offering a diverse range of programs through DAAD, major foundations, top research institutes, and EU-funded schemes.
In 2025–2026, applicants can access prestigious fellowships such as DAAD EPOS, Helmut Schmidt, PRIME, and RISE, which support Master’s, PhD, and research mobility across disciplines. Major foundations—including Konrad Adenauer, Friedrich Ebert, and Friedrich Naumann—provide generous academic funding for students committed to political engagement, leadership, and social responsibility.
For research-focused scholars, elite institutions such as the Max Planck Society, Helmholtz Association, Leibniz Institutes, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offer fully funded PhD and postdoctoral opportunities, many with global mobility and long-term career support. High-level international programs like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions further enhance Germany’s standing as a research powerhouse, supporting interdisciplinary innovation and scientific excellence.
Additionally, university-specific opportunities at Heidelberg, Bonn, and Berlin offer targeted research fellowships that attract exceptional international talent. With deadlines distributed throughout 2025 and 2026, students and researchers can strategically plan ahead to secure funding for advanced degrees, research stays, climate protection projects, and global academic collaborations in one of Europe’s most dynamic academic environments.
Germany’s fellowship landscape for 2025–2026 offers one of the world’s richest collections of fully funded academic and research pathways.
Whether you seek a master’s degree, a structured PhD program, or a high-level postdoctoral research fellowship, these opportunities cover every domain—from STEM and climate science to public policy, social sciences, governance, and liberal arts.
Candidates planning to apply should monitor official pages for updated deadlines and prepare application materials several months in advance, especially for competitive DAAD and Humboldt programs.
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
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