Checklist for Study Scholarships.pdf (128.12 KB)
Funding for a yearlong master's degree or independent research project in any field at a German university.
Application Deadline
September 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Duke Contact
ncs-ousf@duke.eduQuick facts
Academic Discipline
Arts & HumanitiesSocial Sciences
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)
Eligibility: Citizenship
U.S. Citizen, Non-US Citizen, DACA RecipientWhen to Apply
Senior Year, Young AlumniLocation
InternationalCampus Nomination Required?
YesAge Limit
Applicants should have completed their last degree no longer than 6 years before the application deadline. Those in PhD programs must apply within 3 years of receiving ABD status.Sponsoring Foundation Site
https://www.daad.org/en/Description
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the national agency for the support of academic cooperation. DAAD offers a range of scholarships, grants, and fellowships in Germany. German language proficiency is not required unless it is needed to complete the proposed research or study plan. Many German institutions offer English-language courses.
The Office of University Scholars & Fellows nominates Duke undergraduates applying for Study Scholarships. The Office also supports doctoral students and postdocs applying for One-Year Research Grants. If applicants are not yet admitted into a PhD program by the time of the application deadline, but will be admitted by the beginning of the scholarship, they can apply for the research grant. In this case, applicants can submit the admission documents later.
Duke's Department of German Studies has a database of other opportunities for German studies. Visit their website to access this list.
| Registration with DAAD | ASAP |
|
The DAAD reference form is available in the application portal; it is also called “referee’s report.” Forms must be signed in ink on a printed copy; forms do not accept e-signature. For all applicants, one recommendation form is required. Recommenders should email their signed letters directly to ncs-ousf@duke.edu prior to the campus deadline. For the national deadline, a recommendation letter/reference should be uploaded to the DAAD portal. | Friday, September 26, 12:00 p.m. (noon) |
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Checklists for Applications:
Checklist for Research Grant.pdf (119.56 KB)
| Consult Appropriate Checklist ASAP |
| German language evaluation form, if you know any German (even if you do not explicitly need it for your plans). Email to ncs-ousf@duke.edu. | Friday, September 26, 12 p.m. (noon) |
| Deadline for campus evaluation. Submit a PDF of your complete draft application via email to ncs-ousf@duke.edu. | Friday, September 26, 12 p.m. (noon) |
| NCS will send the institutional support letter to DAAD. | Tuesday, September 30 |
| DAAD application deadline: include all documents requested and CLICK SUBMIT. Download a summary PDF of all the uploaded documents from the portal and send to ncs-ousf@duke.edu. | Friday, October 31 Midnight Central European Time (6p.m. EST) |
Benefits
The DAAD program provides a living expense stipend, a travel allowance, and a modest, one-time research or study grant to support the purchase of course or research materials.
Eligibility
Students and graduates of U.S. and Canadian programs of all nationalities are eligible. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree prior to the grant period; graduates should have completed their last degree no longer than 6 years before the application deadline. Those in Ph.D. programs must apply within 3 years of receiving A.B.D. status.
If applicable, German language ability must be commensurate with the plans for study or research. English-language research opportunities are available, and many degree programs are taught in English.
Those applying for graduate work in each of these fields below follow separate timelines. You will need to apply through direct processes that don't involve formal Duke endorsement:
Music, Performing Arts, Fine, Film, Design/Visual Communication, and Architecture.
Selection Criteria
- Outstanding academic achievements
- Feasibility and quality of research or study plans, typically substantiated by a detailed proposal and prior research or academic experiences
- Applicant's potential, including motivation, prospects, and extracurricular achievements
- Language skills, if necessary
N.B.: Each research host and master's degree program may specify their own requirements.