Germany has officially opened applications for the DAAD-Hilde Domin Scholarship 2026, a rare and life-changing opportunity designed for students and doctoral candidates who face serious risks to their education, academic freedom, or fundamental rights in their home countries. Administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, this programme offers more than funding—it offers safety, academic continuity, and a future built in dignity and freedom.
Inspired by the life and legacy of German poet Hilde Domin, the scholarship reflects resilience, intellectual courage, and the right to learn without fear—values that are now extended to scholars worldwide through Germany’s higher education system.
What the Hilde Domin Programme Offers Successful Scholars?
Designed to remove financial and structural barriers, this Hilde Domin German scholarship ensures that recipients can fully focus on their studies or research in a secure environment.
- Full financial support covering living expenses during the study or research stay in Germany
- Funding for undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree programmes based on individual qualifications
- Coverage of study-related and research-related costs at a recognized German higher education institution
- Access to interdisciplinary training and academic enrichment activities
- A protected academic environment enabling long-term personal, professional, and societal impact
The programme’s broader mission is to empower scholars to later contribute meaningfully to political, economic, and social development—whether in their home countries, Germany, or third countries.
Who This Scholarship Is Meant For?
The German Hilde Domin Scholarship Programme is specifically tailored for scholars whose academic journeys are under threat and who demonstrate strong potential for academic success in Germany.
- International students or doctoral candidates at risk of being formally or de facto denied education or academic rights
- Applicants with strong academic records and clear prospects for successful study or research in Germany
- Candidates nominated by eligible German institutions or organizations active in academia, human rights, peace, democracy, or rule of law
- Applicants with sufficient proficiency in German or English at B2 level to complete their chosen programme
- Individuals whose personal risk situation can be credibly documented and assessed
Direct applications are not permitted; all candidates must go through the official nomination route.
The DAAD-Hilde Domin Scholarship 2026 follows a two-stage timeline for applicants planning to begin their studies in Summer Semester 2027. Eligible German institutions and organizations must submit nominations by 15 March 2026.
After the nomination review, shortlisted candidates will be invited by DAAD to submit their full applications during the official application window, which runs from 17 March 2026 until 15 April 2026.