DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships 2027 Application Method Discussed

The DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships are open for highly qualified international graduates, PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists who want to conduct defined research projects at the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

This is not a general German university scholarship for a degree of your choice. You must apply for a specific live DLR fellowship offer in aerospace, space, energy, transport, security or related research fields.

What Makes the DLR-DAAD Fellowship Different?

You cannot use this programme to choose any German university or create your own research placement. Each fellowship is tied to a named DLR institute, a defined research topic and a particular applicant level. That means applicants should first identify an offer that matches their academic background before opening the DAAD application portal.

Current opportunities include research themes such as satellite systems, quantum error correction, microbiology, deep learning, autonomous vehicle concepts, electrolysis, radar, aerospace engineering and spaceborne sensing. The programme is therefore particularly useful for applicants with a strong technical, scientific or engineering research profile.

DLR-DAAD Fellowship Funding and Duration

• Type A – Graduate students: 9 months with €992 per month, plus possible travel, rent, health insurance and family allowances.
• Type B – Doctoral students: up to 36 months with €1,760 per month, plus possible travel, rent, health insurance and family allowances.
• Type C – Postdoctoral researchers: 6 to 24 months with €2,400 per month.
• Type D – Senior scientists: 1 to 3 months with €2,760 per month.
• Type E – Visiting researchers: 1 to 6 months; €1,760 monthly at PhD level or €2,400 at postdoctoral level.

The financial package is not identical for every type. In particular, the listed additional allowances apply mainly to Types A, B and eligible PhD-level Type E researchers, not automatically to postdoctoral or senior-scientist offers.

Who Can Apply for DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships?

You should apply only if you are not a German national and your qualifications directly match the specific fellowship advertisement. DAAD also requires documented outstanding academic or research achievements in the relevant research area.

• Type B doctoral applicants must normally have completed their qualifying degree no more than six years before applying.
• Type C postdoctoral applicants must normally have received their doctorate no more than two years before applying.
• Type E PhD applicants must be currently enrolled in doctoral studies after completing a first qualifying degree.
• Senior-scientist applicants should generally hold a doctorate and work in higher education or a research institution.
• German is advantageous but not compulsory; excellent English is required.

Is IELTS Required for DLR-DAAD Fellowships?

IELTS is not the only accepted English test, but formal proof of English is required where specified. For the standard Type B and Type C application route, DAAD lists IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 as examples of acceptable minimum proof. A particular research offer may impose a higher or different language condition, especially where it is linked to doctoral enrolment at another university.

How to Apply for a DLR-DAAD Fellowship

1. Visit the official DLR-DAAD current offers page and select a project matching your degree and research experience.
2. Read the individual fellowship PDF carefully for its qualifications, location, start date and deadline.
3. Create an application through the DAAD scholarship database and portal.
4. Upload your CV, motivation statement, degree records, thesis abstract, English proof and other documents required for your fellowship type.
5. For Type B and Type C applications, arrange two academic references through the DAAD portal. Do not submit an incomplete application.

Application Deadline

There is no single next-batch deadline for the DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships. The last date to apply depends on the individual DLR research offer. Many current opportunities operate on a first-come, first-served basis and remain open only until the position is filled, meaning applicants should not wait for a later annual deadline. One current PhD fellowship, “Sustainable AI-Driven Robust Design of Automotive Structures Using Recycled Materials,” closes on November 15, 2026.

Applicants should recheck the official offer PDF immediately before submitting because a vacancy can be allocated while applications are still being processed.