The DAAD HAW.International Scholarships 2027–2028 provide funding for doctoral candidates conducting research abroad as part of a PhD at a German University of Applied Sciences (HAW). The program supports international research experience by allowing eligible doctoral researchers to spend between one and six months at universities, research institutions, archives or other appropriate research locations abroad.
The program is particularly relevant for international and German doctoral candidates enrolled at eligible German Universities of Applied Sciences. DAAD states that applicants do not necessarily have to hold German citizenship, provided they meet the applicable scholarship requirements.
For the 2027–2028 funding period, the program can support research projects in different countries and, where academically justified, the research stay can be divided into multiple periods or host institutions.
| Scholarship | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | DAAD HAW.International Research Fellowships |
| Funding period | 2027–2028 |
| Study level | PhD / Doctoral research |
| Target group | Doctoral candidates at German Universities of Applied Sciences |
| Research stay | 1 to 6 months per funding period |
| Eligible destinations | International research locations, subject to DAAD requirements |
| Nationality | German and international applicants may be eligible |
| Monthly scholarship | Rate depends on the host country |
| Travel support | Travel allowance based on destination |
| Insurance | Health, accident and personal liability insurance |
| Research allowance | €102 per month for research and conference costs |
| Application | DAAD online portal |
| Application timing | Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis, generally at least three months before the planned research stay |
The official DAAD information confirms that the program is available for doctoral research stays abroad and that funding can be split across several host institutions, countries or periods where there is a strong academic justification.
What Is the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship?
HAW.International is a DAAD initiative supporting internationalization and international experience for students and researchers associated with German Universities of Applied Sciences.
The doctoral research component provides financial support for research projects conducted abroad during a doctoral program in Germany.
Research may take place at:
- Universities
- Non-university research institutions
- Archives
- Field-research locations
- Other suitable research locations abroad
The program can therefore be useful for PhD researchers whose projects require access to specialized facilities, international research groups, archives, field sites or other resources unavailable at their German institution.
DAAD also permits the research period to be divided among multiple institutions or countries when this is academically justified.
DAAD HAW.International Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants receive several forms of financial support for their approved research stay.
Monthly Scholarship Allowance
The fellowship provides a monthly scholarship rate determined by the host country. DAAD notes that the applicable doctoral scholarship rates for funding in the 2027–2028 academic year are subject to the relevant program provisions.
The exact amount therefore depends on the country where the research stay takes place rather than being a single worldwide fixed amount.
Travel Allowance
The scholarship includes a travel allowance based on the destination country.
This can help offset the cost of traveling from Germany to the research destination and returning after completion of the approved stay.
Insurance
The program includes benefits related to:
- Health insurance
- Accident insurance
- Personal liability insurance
These provisions are intended to provide financial protection during the approved international research period.
Research and Conference Allowance
Recipients receive a €102 monthly flat-rate allowance for research and conference costs.
This can provide additional support for expenses connected with the academic research project and relevant professional events.
Additional Funding
After funding begins, scholarship holders may also be able to apply for additional benefits, depending on their circumstances and the applicable DAAD rules.
These may include:
- A subsidy toward tuition fees, subject to a maximum limit
- Language-course support
- Family benefits for eligible accompanying spouses, partners or children
- Funding for research-related travel within the host country
- Travel and accommodation expenses for a supervising university lecturer visiting the host location for up to 10 days
- Possible support for justified additional costs related to a disability or chronic illness
Additional benefits are subject to DAAD conditions and individual assessment.
Who Is Eligible for the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship?
The program is primarily intended for doctoral candidates conducting their PhD at a German University of Applied Sciences (HAW) with the relevant doctoral authority.
Applicants may also be eligible if they are pursuing a cooperative doctorate, provided the cooperation involves the relevant German HAW and a German university with doctoral degree-awarding authority.
Importantly, German citizenship is not a universal requirement. DAAD states that applicants who are not German citizens may also apply if they satisfy the applicable scholarship requirements.
Doctoral Study Requirement
Applicants must be formally accepted as doctoral candidates at an eligible German HAW by the application deadline.
If formal acceptance is still pending, DAAD indicates that proof of assignment of the dissertation topic may be sufficient in the relevant circumstances.
For cooperative doctoral programs, applicants must provide the required cooperation documentation.
Length of Doctoral Study
The beginning of the doctoral studies generally must not have been more than three years before the application deadline, unless special circumstances apply.
Applicants should therefore carefully calculate their doctoral-study start date before preparing an application.
What Research Projects Can Be Funded?
The fellowship is designed for research that forms part of a doctoral project being undertaken in Germany.
Potential activities can include research at:
Universities:
Applicants can work with researchers or facilities at universities abroad.
Research institutions:
Non-university research institutions may also serve as research destinations.
Archives:
Archival research can be supported where it is relevant to the doctoral project.
Field research:
Fieldwork may be undertaken even when there is no formal institutional affiliation in the host country, subject to the program requirements.
The proposed international stay should have a clear academic purpose and demonstrate why the selected destination and research environment are important to the doctoral project.
How Long Can the Scholarship Last?
Each funding period can last from one month to a maximum of six months.
DAAD also allows doctoral candidates to receive funding twice during their doctoral studies, provided they submit a new application for the second period.
There must be at least six months between the end of the first funded period and the beginning of the second, and total funding during the doctorate cannot exceed 12 months.
Individual funding periods cannot be extended.
How Are Applications Evaluated?
The selection process considers both the quality of the proposed research project and the applicant’s academic and personal potential.
Important aspects include the:
- Quality of the doctoral research proposal
- Originality and relevance of the research
- Academic justification for the international stay
- Suitability of the selected host institution
- Feasibility of the research plan
- Quality and consistency of the timetable
- Integration of the international research period into the overall doctoral project
- Motivation for conducting research abroad
- Potential academic, professional and personal benefits
- Relevant extracurricular engagement and skills
DAAD states that selection committees are appointed by the DAAD Executive Board and primarily consist of university lecturers. The selection is based on the submitted application materials rather than an interview involving a personal presentation.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare their documents well in advance because the application requires substantial academic documentation.
The DAAD portal requires documents including:
1. Academic CV
Applicants should provide a tabular CV, with extracurricular activities or engagement included where relevant. The supplied program information specifies a maximum length of three pages.
2. Doctoral Research Proposal
A detailed description of the doctoral project is required.
The proposal should be approximately 5–8 pages and explain the current status of the research and work already completed.
3. Research Stay Timetable
Applicants must provide a timetable explaining the planned activities during the international stay.
The schedule should provide monthly and, where necessary, weekly details of the research activities.
4. Motivation Letter
A 1–2 page motivation letter should explain the professional and personal reasons for the planned research stay.
Applicants should specifically address what they expect to gain from the international research experience academically, professionally and personally.
5. Academic Certificates
Applicants must provide available university certificates containing individual grades, including relevant bachelor’s, master’s or other academic qualifications.
6. Thesis Summary
A summary of the applicant’s most recent thesis is required, generally approximately one page.
7. Confirmation From the German HAW
Applicants must provide confirmation of formal acceptance and supervision as a doctoral candidate at the German University of Applied Sciences, or the relevant DAAD confirmation of dissertation-topic assignment where applicable.
8. Cooperative Doctorate Documents
Applicants participating in a cooperative doctoral program must provide the relevant cooperation agreement and evidence of formal acceptance at the German university.
9. Confirmation From the Foreign Host
A letter from the foreign host university or research institute should confirm the researcher’s workplace and supervision or research permission, as applicable.
For archival research, confirmation of access to the relevant facilities may be required.
10. Publications
Applicants can provide a list of their self-published publications where applicable.
11. Language Evidence
Proof of language proficiency is required only in specific circumstances, such as when fieldwork or interviews will be conducted in a language different from the working language at the host institution.
12. Recommendation Letter
A current, supportive recommendation from the doctoral supervisor at the German HAW is required.
DAAD specifies that the recommendation consists of the required free-text section and the relevant cover sheet generated through the application portal.
DAAD HAW.International Application Deadline
The supplied secondary listing gives August 31, 2026 as the application deadline.
However, the current official DAAD listing describes the doctoral HAW.International program as allowing ongoing applications, with applications generally required at least three months before the planned international research stay.
Because application timing can depend on the destination and planned start date, applicants should rely on the current DAAD portal and official program information when determining their personal deadline rather than assuming that August 31 applies to every applicant.
How to Apply for DAAD HAW.International 2027–2028
Applications are submitted through the DAAD application portal.
Applicants should first confirm that their doctoral status, German HAW affiliation, destination country and planned research period satisfy the program requirements.
They should then prepare the research proposal, timetable, motivation letter, academic documents, host confirmation and supervisor recommendation before completing the online application.
DAAD recommends allowing sufficient processing time for questions or technical issues with the application. The official application system also advises applicants to use a desktop computer because the portal has limited functionality on mobile devices.
Why This Scholarship Is Important for PhD Researchers
International research experience can be particularly valuable for doctoral candidates whose projects depend on specialized expertise, international datasets, research facilities, archives or collaboration with researchers abroad.
The HAW.International doctoral fellowship is specifically structured around this need. Rather than funding a complete PhD abroad, it supports a research stay abroad as part of a doctorate being pursued in Germany.
This distinction is important for applicants searching for “DAAD PhD scholarships” because the program is not simply a general scholarship for starting a PhD in another country.
Final Thoughts
The DAAD HAW.International Scholarships 2027–2028 offer doctoral researchers at German Universities of Applied Sciences an opportunity to strengthen their research through an international stay.
The program can provide a monthly scholarship, destination-dependent travel support, insurance benefits and a €102 monthly research and conference allowance, with additional benefits potentially available under the program’s rules.
Eligible doctoral candidates can undertake research for one to six months, and the funding can potentially be divided into multiple stays where there is a strong academic justification.
Because the program is competitive, applicants should focus on presenting a clear and feasible doctoral research project, explaining why the international research location is necessary and demonstrating how the proposed stay contributes to their broader academic and professional development.
Before applying, prospective candidates should check the latest requirements and application information directly through the official DAAD program listing, particularly because destination-specific conditions and application timing may vary.
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