The prestigious DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) scholarships are now open for international professionals from developing countries who dream of studying in Germany and making a difference in their communities.
Offered in partnership with Freie Universität Berlin and several other top German institutions, this scholarship program is your ticket to a fully funded Master’s degree — and even a PhD in exceptional cases — starting in the 2026/2027 academic year.
About the DAAD EPOS Program at Freie Universität Berlin
Administered by Germany’s leading academic exchange service — DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) — the EPOS scholarships are designed to build future leaders from the Global South by offering development-related postgraduate courses that are practical, interdisciplinary, and globally relevant.
This opportunity is ideal for mid-career professionals with a minimum of two years of work experience who are passionate about development work and committed to returning home to contribute to sustainable development goals.
Fields of Study – What Can You Apply For?
Candidates can choose from a wide array of development-focused Master’s programs taught in English, hosted at top-tier institutions including TU Berlin, HTW Berlin, TU Dresden, University of Freiburg, and more. Fields include:
- Economics & Business – e.g., MIDE (HTW Berlin), Development Economics (Göttingen)
- Development Cooperation – e.g., Development Management (Bochum)
- Engineering & Sciences – e.g., Hydro Science (TU Dresden), WASTE (Stuttgart)
- Urban & Regional Planning – e.g., Urban Management (TU Berlin)
- Agriculture & Forestry – e.g., AgEcon (Hohenheim), Tropical Forestry
- Environmental Sciences – e.g., ISATEC (Bremen), Environmental Governance
- Health & Medicine – e.g., International Health (Charité Berlin), Global Urban Health (Freiburg)
- Law, Media & Education – e.g., MIPLC (Munich), International Media Studies (DW Akademie).
EPOS Scholarship Benefits
The DAAD EPOS scholarship is fully funded and includes:
- Full tuition coverage
- Monthly stipend: €992 for Master’s programs, and €1,300 for PhD candidates (in rare cases)
- Health, accident, and liability insurance
- Travel costs to and from Germany
- Optional support for rent and family members (if applicable).
Who’s Eligible?
To apply, you must:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree (4-year minimum) in a relevant discipline
- Have at least 2 years of professional experience
- Demonstrate strong academic performance (typically top 30%)
- Show development-related motivation and a commitment to return to your country after graduation
- Submit proof of English or German proficiency (depending on the program — most are in English).
Application Deadline
The deadlines vary by program, ranging from August 31, 2025 to March 15, 2026, depending on the course you apply for.