DAAD Scholarship: A Guide for Turkish Students 2026

The DAAD, short for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service), is a potential game-changer for students worldwide aspiring to study in Germany. As the largest funding organization of its kind, DAAD embodies the transformative power of international education with its motto, "Change through Exchange."

DAAD doesn't just support German students venturing abroad; it also warmly welcomes international students, including those from Turkey, to experience academic life in Germany. Headquartered in Bonn with an additional branch in Berlin, DAAD's reach extends globally through a vast network. This network encompasses 20 Regional Offices and 37 Information Centers strategically located in approximately 50 countries. For example, in Turkey, there is a DAAD Information Centre in Istanbul.

While DAAD offers a spectrum of scholarships encompassing undergraduate and graduate studies, PhD programs, language courses, and more, this article will hone in on the opportunities most relevant for Turkish students. With a particular focus on DAAD study scholarships for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, we'll delve into these merit-based scholarships that cover the full living expenses for Turkish students 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.

Picture yourself in Germany with all your living expenses covered by a scholarship—sounds like a dream, right? If you're wondering, "Are Turkish students eligible for the DAAD?" The answer is an enthusiastic yes! DAAD scholarships are open to Turkish students.
 

However, it's important to clarify that not every DAAD scholarship program is available to Turkish applicants. As of 2024, there are 19 DAAD scholarships specifically for Turkish students, with 7 designed for those pursuing degrees in Germany, excluding PhD programs. Interestingly, these opportunities are exclusively for Master's (graduate) level students. Detailed information about these 7 scholarships follows below. Before we dive into that, let’s explore the options for Turkish undergraduate students.

This table shows that although there isn't a dedicated DAAD scholarship for Turkish Bachelor's degree seekers, Turkish undergraduates can still access DAAD funding for a summer 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.

As depicted in the table, Turkish students planning to pursue their master’s in Germany can find a fully-funded DAAD scholarship that covers living expenses. These scholarships span a wide array of disciplines, from Film Studies to Business Administration, providing opportunities for students from diverse fields to benefit from this funding.

Don't Forget the University Requirements! Remember, receiving a DAAD scholarship doesn't automatically guarantee your admission to a German university. You still need to meet the entry requirements of your chosen study program. Take the time to thoroughly research your target program and ensure you fulfill its specific criteria.

​​Keep in mind:

• Translations: If your documents are not originally in English or German, you'll need to provide (certified) translations.

• Completeness and Accuracy: Double-check your application to ensure it's complete, accurate, and meets all the formal requirements. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will lead to rejection.

• Applying Before Admission: In most cases, you don't need to wait for a letter of admission from a German university to apply for a DAAD scholarship. DAAD scholarships are often "pre-admission" scholarships, meaning you apply for the scholarship first and then apply to your chosen study program.

Winning a DAAD scholarship is undoubtedly challenging, regardless of your nationality. These scholarships are highly competitive due to their prestigious reputation and the limited number of awards available. According to our 2023 research, the success rate, or the acceptance rate for DAAD scholarships among Turkish students is approximately 10%. This means that roughly 10 out of every 100 Turkish applicants are successful in their DAAD applications. Consequently, the rejection rate for Turkish students applying for DAAD funding is about 90%. Common reasons for rejection include a low GPA and an underwhelming academic profile.
  

Hence, even if you meet all the fundamental requirements and submit a complete application, there is still a high likelihood of rejection if your GPA isn't impressive, your CV lacks significant achievements, or your Motivation Letter does not convincingly convey your goals and aspirations.