The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst / German Academic Exchange Service) is the world's largest funding organization for international academic exchange. For Bangladeshi students, a DAAD scholarship is the ultimate ticket to studying in Germany — covering tuition, living expenses, insurance, and travel. Here's everything you need to know.
1. What Is DAAD?
DAAD is a German government-funded organization that provides scholarships to international students and researchers. It's not a university — it's a funding body that supports students at any eligible German university.
Key facts:
- Funds approximately 100,000+ scholarships per year worldwide
- Supports students from over 180 countries including Bangladesh
- Covers Master's, PhD, postdoctoral research, and short-term programmes
- The scholarship is merit-based — academic excellence, research potential, and development relevance
2. Types of DAAD Scholarships for BD Students
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS):
- For Master's students from developing countries (Bangladesh qualifies)
- Programmes are specifically designed for development-relevant fields: public health, renewable energy, urban planning, agriculture, economics
- Full funding — tuition, living allowance, insurance, travel
- 2 years of work experience usually required
Study Scholarships for Graduates (Master's):
- For any Master's programme at a German university
- Open to all subjects
- Requires a Bachelor's degree completed within the last 6 years
- Full funding for 12-24 months
Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates:
- For PhD research at German universities or research institutions
- Duration: 1-4 years depending on the programme
- Full funding + research budget
3. Eligibility for Bangladeshi Students
- Bachelor's degree with above-average results (typically top 20-30% of class)
- 2+ years of professional experience (for EPOS programmes — not always required for general scholarships)
- Language: IELTS 6.0+ for English-taught programmes or TestDaF/DSH for German-taught
- Motivation letter explaining your study plan and how it connects to your country's development
- Research proposal (for PhD scholarships)
- No previous DAAD scholarship (usually limited to one DAAD award)
4. How Much Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly stipend (Master's) | €934/month (~BDT 1.14 lakh) |
| Monthly stipend (PhD) | €1,300/month (~BDT 1.58 lakh) |
| Health insurance | Fully covered |
| Travel allowance | Return flight covered |
| Study allowance | €460/year for books and materials |
| German language course | 6-month pre-departure course covered |
| Tuition | €0 at public universities (covered by Germany) |
Total value: Approximately €25,000-30,000/year (~BDT 30-36 lakh/year) — essentially a fully funded education with living expenses.
5. How to Apply
Step 1: Check the DAAD scholarship database at daad.de/en → "Scholarships" → filter by your country (Bangladesh) and level (Master's/PhD)
Step 2: Note the deadline — typically October-November for programmes starting the following October (apply almost a year in advance)
Step 3: Prepare your application package:
- CV (in DAAD format — template on their website)
- Motivation letter (1-2 pages, development-focused)
- Research proposal (for PhD) or study plan (for Master's)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- 2 academic recommendation letters
- Language certificates
Step 4: Submit through the DAAD online portal
Step 5: If shortlisted, attend an interview (usually at the German Embassy or Goethe-Institut in Dhaka)
Step 6: Results announced within 3-6 months of the deadline
6. Success Tips for BD Students
- Development angle is crucial: DAAD prioritizes students who will contribute to their home country's development. Your motivation letter must clearly explain how your studies will benefit Bangladesh — not just advance your personal career
- Work experience matters: 2-3 years of relevant work experience significantly strengthens your application, especially for EPOS programmes
- Strong recommendation letters: Get letters from professors who know your academic work well, not just your department head who barely knows you
- Apply to multiple programmes: You can apply to more than one DAAD scholarship category simultaneously
- Start early: The application process takes 3-4 months to prepare properly. Don't rush it in the last week
- Realistic expectations: DAAD is highly competitive — acceptance rate is approximately 15-25% depending on the programme. But Bangladeshi students who prepare well have strong chances because of the development relevance of their profiles