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Imagine pursuing your higher education in Germany, a country renowned for its academic excellence, without having to worry about tuition fees! It's possible! Most public universities in Germany don't charge tuition fees, making it an attractive destination for international students, including those from Brazil.
While tuition might be off the table, living expenses in Germany need careful consideration. The German government estimates that Brazilian students need a minimum of 11,904 Euros per year (or 992 Euros per month) to cover their living costs. This isn't just a suggestion; it's a mandatory requirement for obtaining a German student residence permit. Without proof of this financial capacity, your residence permit application will be rejected. Consequently, you will not be able to study in Germany.
So, how can you bridge the financial gap and secure your dream of studying in Germany? One of the most promising opportunities is a DAAD scholarship. The good news is that Brazilian students are eligible for a variety of DAAD scholarships! This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to the different funding opportunities offered by DAAD for Brazilian students, with a particular focus on DAAD scholarships for Master's and Bachelor's degrees.
It is our goal to inform you honestly and accurately, therefore, we need to add a disclaimer:
This article is for general information only and cannot replace your own research. We, therefore, exclude any liability and highly recommend always double-checking the information on the official DAAD web pages and with the official local DAAD representatives in Brazil.
Overview
The DAAD, which stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service), is a potential game-changer for students worldwide aspiring to study in Germany. As Germany's largest provider of scholarships for international students, DAAD embodies its inspiring motto, "Change through Exchange."
DAAD operates as a two-way bridge, facilitating educational exchanges in both directions – supporting German students in their pursuit of studies abroad while also welcoming international students, including Brazilians, to Germany. With its main office in Bonn and a branch in Berlin, DAAD's extensive global network spans over 50 countries, including 20 Regional Offices and 37 Information Centers. For Brazilian students, the DAAD Regional Office in Rio de Janeiro serves as a crucial resource.
The organization offers a wide array of scholarship programs, covering undergraduate and graduate studies, PhD programs, language courses, and more. As of 2024, DAAD offers an impressive 86 scholarship programs, each with its own specific DAAD application procedure and requirements.
This comprehensive guide will focus on two key DAAD scholarship types particularly relevant for aspiring students from Brazil:
- DAAD bachelors scholarship for Brazilians
- DAAD masters scholarship for Brazilians
These prestigious scholarships are merit-based and designed to fully cover the living expenses of Brazilian students during their studies in Germany. In other words, they provide students, among others, with €992 per month, which amounts to €11,904 annually. Note: this amount is not set in stone - it might change depending on the BAföG rate.
Eligibility
Having a full scholarship that covers all of your living costs in Germany sounds like a great deal, doesn't it? And at this point you might be wondering: "Is Brazil eligible for the DAAD scholarship?" And here is the good news: Yes, as a Brazilian, you are also eligible for a DAAD scholarship!
However, not all DAAD scholarship programs are open for Brazilian applicants. As of 2024, there are 19 DAAD scholarships available for Brazilian students, out of which 7 scholarships are for those Brazilians, who would like to pursue a degree (excluding a PhD) in Germany. It is noteworthy, that all of those DAAD scholarships are for the Master's (graduate) level. Below, you can find the list of these 7 scholarships with key information in a nutshell. However, before moving on to that part, let us tell you what the options are if you are an undergraduate student from Brazil.
Geeky Stuff Box
The 2023 DAAD Annual Report indicates that Brazil is one of the top 15 countries globally, out of over 180, in terms of the number of students awarded DAAD scholarships. This highlights the strong educational ties between Germany and Brazil and the high regard Brazilian students have for DAAD programs.
In 2023, an impressive total of 1030 Brazilians were granted DAAD funding across various scholarship categories. In Latin America, only Colombians won more DAAD scholarships. This substantial figure demonstrates the vast opportunities available to Brazilians through DAAD programs, cementing Germany's status as a highly attractive destination for those seeking international education experiences.
DAAD Scholarship for Bachelors in Germany for Brazil
As previously mentioned, there is currently no DAAD scholarship specifically for Brazilian students wishing to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Germany. However, if you're an undergraduate student from Brazil, there's an alternative non-degree opportunity: a winter course funded by DAAD. Here are the details about this program:
Table 1: DAAD Scholarships for undergraduate Brazilians
*Regularly check the application deadlines, as they are updated annually.
This table shows that although there isn't a dedicated DAAD scholarship for Brazilian Bachelor's degree seekers, Brazilian undergraduates can still access DAAD funding for a winter course. Actually, participating in this program can enhance your prospects when applying for a DAAD Master's scholarship, as detailed in the next section.
It's also important to note that while current opportunities are limited, this situation may change, and new options might arise. We suggest keeping an eye on the DAAD scholarship database for the latest updates and new openings.
DAAD Scholarship for Masters in Germany for Brazil
Unlike the bachelor's level, when it comes to doing a master's in Germany, Brazilians are eligible for multiple DAAD scholarships. Here is the list:
Table 2: Master's Scholarships for Brazil
*The list is ordered in the exact way as presented on the DAAD Funding Guide website.
**Regularly check the application deadlines, as they are updated annually.
***This is not an officially stated requirement by the given DAAD program. It is a recommendation from MyGU.
****EPOS scholarship finances specific study programs from specific universities. Here is the list for the 2025/2026 intake.
*****Helmut-Schmidt-Programme finances specific study programs from specific universities. Here is the list for the 2025/2026 intake.
As the table vividly shows, Brazilian students who want to do their master's in Germany can find a relevant full DAAD scholarship to completely cover their living costs during their studies. And the scholarships are available for almost every discipline, ranging from Environmental Science to Peace & Conflict Studies.
DAAD Scholarship Brazil: Requirements
As previously mentioned, DAAD scholarships vary widely in terms of purpose, target audience, admission criteria, application procedures, and more. This also applies to DAAD study scholarships for Brazilians, each having unique requirements and processes. Nevertheless, based on our research, we can outline the key requirements and eligibility criteria that Brazilian students are likely to encounter when applying for DAAD study scholarships.
List of DAAD requirements for Brazil:
- Education gap: Your previous academic degree should not be older than six years at the application deadline. Note: DAAD typically does not impose any age limits.
- State of residence: You are ineligible if you have resided in Germany for more than 15 months by the application deadline.
- Language skills: Your proficiency in English and/or German should meet the requirements of your chosen study program in Germany.
- Academic performance: While not always explicitly stated, your GPA should be at least "GOOD," equivalent to a 2.5 in the German grading system.
IMPORTANT: To be eligible for a DAAD scholarship and study in Germany, you must also fulfill all the specific admission requirements of the study program you wish to enroll in. Therefore, in addition to checking the DAAD website, make sure you are fully informed about the details of the courses you plan to apply for.
Advice Box
Even if not always explicitly required, a strong extracurricular portfolio (e.g., internships, volunteer work, project participation, training, etc.) can significantly enhance your chances of securing a DAAD scholarship.
Application Documents
Now that you're familiar with the DAAD eligibility criteria, let's address a crucial question: What documents do Brazilian students need for their DAAD scholarship application? The answer varies due to the diversity of funding programs, but there are some common documents required across most DAAD scholarship applications.
DAAD checklist for Brazil:
- Online application form. DAAD has its own application form, which needs to be completely filled out by the applicant. Do not worry: it is quite self-explanatory and easy to follow.
- Educational certificate(s). For instance, your Bachelor's degree and high school diploma.
- Transcript of records. If your transcript includes only the individual grades of the courses you took without explaining the grading system at your institution, you should also separately attach the document containing that information to your DAAD application.
- Language certificate(s). Usually, the proof of your English (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) and/or German (e.g., TestDaf, DSH) level should not be more than 2 years old.
- Curriculum Vitae. Full tabular CV/Resume without any unexplained gaps.
- Letter of Motivation. Basically, around 1-3-pager, convincingly explaining why you deserve the funding.
- Letter of Recommendation. Also called a reference letter (from a professor or from an employer).
Important considerations:
- If your documents are not originally in English or in German, you need their (certified) translations.
- If your DAAD scholarship application is incomplete, the documents are not in the right shape, or even one signature is missing, it can be rejected. That is why we recommend you take your time and closely inspect the requirements of your chosen scholarship program to ensure that you are well and correctly informed and do not miss anything (hence, your application is not rejected for formal reasons).
- Usually, you do not need to wait for the letter of admission from the German study program to apply for the DAAD scholarship. The reason is that the DAAD scholarships are pre-admission scholarships. To put it differently, as a rule, you first apply for the DAAD scholarship and then for the desired Bachelor's or Master's study program in Germany.
How to apply for a DAAD scholarship from Brazil?
You might have guessed that there isn't a single set of steps for Brazilian students that applies to every DAAD scholarship. However, there are SEVEN key steps Brazilian students need to know to apply for and win a DAAD scholarship.
DAAD Application Process for Brazilians:
- Find the scholarship: Start by visiting the DAAD scholarship database and use the website's filters to narrow down your scholarship options.
- Check eligibility: Once you've found a scholarship that aligns with your interests and goals, ensure you meet the basic formal requirements listed under "Application Requirements" on the DAAD database.
- Collect the documents: Refer to the "Application Procedure" section on the DAAD database for a list of required documents. Important: Certify and translate the documents as needed.
- Submit the application: Most applications are submitted online via the DAAD portal. However, some scholarships may have diverse submission procedures, such as requiring direct application to the academic program (e.g., Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship).
- Wait for the response from DAAD: This can take several months. If your first-stage application is successful, DAAD will contact you and invite you to the second stage of the application process.
- Complete the second stage: The second stage varies depending on the scholarship. For instance, it may involve an interview or the submission of additional documents.
- Wait for the final results: After completing the second stage, it may take a few months for DAAD to finalize the list of selected scholarship recipients. They will then inform you whether you have been awarded the scholarship.
DAAD Selection Criteria for Brazilians
Understanding the selection criteria and process is essential for optimizing your application and setting realistic goals. Below are the main DAAD selection criteria for Brazilian students:
- Grade Point Average (GPA): very good grades will significantly improve your chances of winning the scholarship.
- Motivation: so, take the letter of motivation seriously!
- Extracurricular Commitment: practical experiences, participation in workshops & trainings, publications, etc. So, make sure your CV is crafted in a way that all of these details are efficiently depicted.
While every component of your application holds importance, excelling in these areas can greatly enhance your likelihood of success.
DAAD Scholarship Brazil: Deadline & When to Apply
Brazilian students should apply for the DAAD funding as soon as possible!
For Brazilian students eyeing DAAD scholarships, it's important to note that deadlines vary depending on the specific scholarship program. Hence, it's crucial to regularly check the relevant program pages for the most up-to-date information. PRO TIP: In most cases, DAAD deadlines for Brazilians fall during the autumn months.
To avoid any last-minute rush, we advise starting your DAAD application process at least 2 months before the scholarship deadline. This will give you sufficient time to gather and prepare all necessary documents.
The application procedure for the DAAD scholarship can be extensive for Brazilian students, with the total DAAD processing time being around 6 months. Additionally, you'll need at least 1 month to prepare your application, making the total time investment approximately 7 months. Therefore, it’s crucial to plan ahead to ensure you start your studies in Germany with a DAAD scholarship on time.
To illustrate the planning timeline, consider this example: If you aim to begin your Master’s studies in Germany with a DAAD scholarship in October 2026, you should start your DAAD application process around August 2025. Thus, preparation for a DAAD scholarship starts over a year before your intended studies in Germany.
Is it hard to win a DAAD scholarship?
It is not easy to secure a DAAD scholarship, no matter where you’re from. This is largely due to its status as one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships available in Germany. According to our 2023 research, the acceptance rate for DAAD scholarships among Brazilian students is around 10%. This translates to roughly 10 out of every 100 Brazilian applicants being successful in their DAAD applications. Consequently, the rejection rate for Brazilians applying for DAAD funding is about 90%. The primary reasons for rejection include a low GPA and a generally weak academic profile.
In essence, even if you meet all the basic requirements and have correctly completed the application process, there is still a high likelihood of rejection if your GPA is not strong, your CV lacks substantial content, or your Motivation Letter is not persuasive. Thus, getting a DAAD scholarship is quite a competitive process for Brazilian students.
DAAD Brazil: Contact
As noted above, DAAD has a representation in Brazil. To be more specific, there is a DAAD Regional Office located in Rio de Janeiro. Besides, there are also "DAAD Lektors" in Brazil, who can provide Brazilian students with valuable information about studying and scholarships in Germany. We highly recommend reaching out to the DAAD representatives in Brazil if you have any questions or need personalized information. Below are the contact details for the Rio de Janeiro Regional Office:
BONUS: List of all DAAD scholarships for Brazil (2024)
*The list is ordered in the exact way as presented on the DAAD Funding Guide website.
**Regularly check the application deadlines, as they are updated annually.
***Here is the 2023/2024 list of GSSP participating graduate schools.
