DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027

The DAAD HAW. International Scholarship 2027 is a valuable funding opportunity for students enrolled at German Universities of Applied Sciences (HAW) or Fachhochschulen who want to gain international academic experience. The programme, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), supports students undertaking an approved study period abroad or completing part of their degree-related thesis or final project at an international institution.

The programme is designed to strengthen the international experience of students at German universities of applied sciences. Eligible students from different academic fields can receive financial support for an international study or thesis stay, helping them manage travel and other costs associated with their time abroad.

Important: This scholarship is primarily for students who are already enrolled at an eligible German HAW/Fachhochschule. It is not a scholarship for international students to come to Germany for a degree programme.

DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027 Overview

Category	Details
Scholarship Name	DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027
Provider	DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
Host Country	Germany
Funding Destination	Abroad
Eligible Students	Students enrolled at German HAW/Fachhochschulen
Degree Level	Bachelor, Master and Diploma
Study Areas	All academic disciplines
Study Stay Duration	3 to 6 months
Thesis Stay Duration	1 to 6 months
Funding Type	Partial/Exchange Funding
Application Method	Online through DAAD Portal
Next Deadline	31 August 2026
Funding Period	February 2027 to July 2027

The DAAD states that study stays must normally last at least three months and up to six months, while stays connected with a final thesis can last from one month to six months. What Does the DAAD HAW. International Scholarship Cover?

The scholarship provides several forms of financial support to successful applicants. The exact amount of some benefits depends on the destination country and the nature of the approved stay.

The main benefits include:

Monthly scholarship allowance based on the destination country
Travel allowance according to the destination
Health, accident and personal liability insurance
Possible study-fee support for eligible study stays, subject to a country-specific maximum
Support for relevant travel within the host country for approved thesis-related activities
A language-course allowance for an accompanying language course
Additional family-related support may be available under certain conditions
Additional support for eligible extra costs related to a disability or chronic illness may be available following individual assessment

The monthly allowance and travel support are not a single fixed amount for every applicant. DAAD determines certain rates according to the destination country. Students should therefore check the current DAAD funding information for their specific destination before preparing their financial plan.

Who Can Apply for DAAD HAW. International Scholarship 2027?

The scholarship is open to students enrolled at a state or state-recognized University of Applied Sciences or Fachhochschule in Germany. Students at the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg and Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach may also qualify under the programme conditions.

Students from all academic disciplines can apply. The programme is available for Bachelor, Master and Diploma students. International students studying at an eligible German HAW may also apply; German citizenship is not itself a requirement.

For Bachelor and Diploma students, applicants must normally have reached at least the second semester or the second half of the first year at the time of application. Applicants must also have the academic and language preparation required to complete their proposed stay abroad.

What Type of Study Abroad Is Supported?

The DAAD HAW. International programme supports two major types of international stays.

Study Stay Abroad

Students can receive funding for a temporary study period at an international host institution. The stay should be academically connected to their degree programme at the German HAW and contribute meaningfully to their academic development.

A study stay must normally last between three and six months.

Stay for a Final Thesis

Students completing a Bachelor's or Master's thesis, or another eligible final academic project, can also apply for funding for a stay abroad connected to their thesis.

These stays can normally last between one and six months. The research or thesis project should have a clear academic purpose and fit logically into the student's overall degree programme.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting their application.

To be considered, applicants generally need to:

Be enrolled at an eligible German HAW/Fachhochschule
Be studying in a Bachelor, Master or Diploma programme
Belong to an eligible academic field
Meet the minimum study-period requirement where applicable
Have a suitable academic plan for the proposed international stay
Have the language skills required by the host institution or for completing the planned project
Prepare the required academic and application documents
Demonstrate that the proposed international experience is academically meaningful

Students should also independently research travel, residence, and other formalities connected with their destination country. Depending on the destination, additional requirements may apply.

Language Requirements

Applicants must provide evidence that they have sufficient language skills for their proposed study or thesis project. The required language depends on the host institution and the language in which the academic work will be carried out.

The language certificate generally needs to demonstrate the applicant's current ability in the teaching or working language of the host institution. If the project involves fieldwork or interviews in another local language, additional evidence may be required.

DAAD states that the language proof should generally not be older than three years at the time of application. In limited circumstances, an exemption may be possible, but applicants should provide an appropriate explanation if they cannot submit a standard language certificate.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit their application through the DAAD Portal and upload the required documents.

The application package generally includes:

Curriculum vitae
Detailed study plan or research plan
Motivation letter explaining the academic and personal reasons for the proposed stay
University entrance qualification certificate with individual grades
Transcript of Records
Bachelor's degree certificate for Master's students, where applicable
Proof of required language skills
Current recommendation letter from a university teacher or qualified academic
Additional documents related to the thesis project, where required
Travel cost estimate for relevant thesis-related travel within the host country, where applicable

For a thesis-based application, the research plan should explain the proposed project clearly and demonstrate how the international stay fits into the student's final thesis.

How to Apply for DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027

The application process is completed online through the DAAD application portal. Applicants should first review the programme requirements and make sure that their proposed study or thesis stay meets the eligibility conditions.

After preparing the study plan or research plan, applicants need to complete the online application and upload all required documents in the appropriate sections of the portal. The application should clearly explain why the international stay is important, why the selected host institution is appropriate, and how the experience fits into the applicant's academic and future professional plans.

Applicants should also arrange their recommendation letter and language certificate in advance. Since incomplete applications are not considered, all required documents should be checked carefully before submission. DAAD recommends submitting the application several days before the deadline in case technical problems occur.

Selection Criteria

The selection process is competitive. DAAD assesses applications based on several academic and personal factors.

Important criteria include:

Quality of the proposed project
Academic relevance of the study or research plan
Clear justification for the international stay and host institution
Feasibility and preparation of the proposed project
Connection between the international experience and the applicant's academic development
Relevance to future professional goals
Previous academic performance
Language and country-specific knowledge
Extracurricular interests, skills and engagement l

For thesis-related applications, the relevance of the proposed research and its integration into the overall thesis project are also considered.

Application Deadline

For the DAAD HAW. International Scholarship 2027, the next application deadline is:

31 August 2026

This deadline applies to scholarships beginning between February 2027 and July 2027. The selection is scheduled for December 2026, with selection results expected in January 2027.

The previous deadline was 27 February 2026 for scholarship starts between August 2026 and January 2027.

Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their applications. The DAAD Portal closes at midnight on the application deadline, and late applications are not accepted. Incomplete applications are also excluded from consideration.

Can International Students Apply?

Yes, international students can potentially apply if they are already enrolled at an eligible German University of Applied Sciences or Fachhochschule and meet the other programme requirements.

The scholarship does not require applicants to be German citizens. However, simply being an international student living outside Germany does not make someone eligible for this particular programme.

This distinction is important for students searching for DAAD scholarships to study in Germany. The HAW. International programme is designed specifically to support students at German HAW institutions who want to undertake an approved international study or thesis experience abroad.

Is DAAD HAW.International a Fully Funded Scholarship?

The DAAD HAW. International Scholarship provides substantial financial support, but it should not automatically be described as a fully funded scholarship.

Depending on the approved destination and type of stay, funding can include a monthly allowance, travel support, insurance, possible study-fee assistance, and other eligible benefits. However, the exact level of support varies according to the destination and individual circumstances.

Students should therefore calculate their expected expenses before travelling and determine whether the DAAD funding will cover all of their anticipated costs.

Important Funding Restriction

Students cannot receive funding from Erasmus or PROMOS at the same time as HAW. International for the same purpose. Applicants should disclose other funding sources and carefully review DAAD's rules regarding additional financial support because some third-party funding may be deducted from the DAAD award or may not be permitted.

Why Choose the DAAD HAW. International Scholarship?

The programme can provide students with an opportunity to combine their practical education in Germany with international academic experience.

A funded international stay can help students:

Gain international academic exposure
Experience a different education system
Build international professional connections
Improve foreign-language skills
Develop intercultural understanding
Strengthen their CV
Conduct research or thesis work in an international environment
Improve their preparation for an international career

For students at German Universities of Applied Sciences, the programme can therefore be an effective way to add an international dimension to an otherwise Germany-based degree.

Final Thoughts

The DAAD HAW. International Scholarship 2027 is an important opportunity for students enrolled at German Universities of Applied Sciences who want to complete a temporary study period or thesis-related stay abroad.

The programme offers several forms of financial support, including a destination-based monthly allowance, travel funding, insurance and, where applicable, support for study fees or thesis-related travel.

The 31 August 2026 deadline is particularly important for students planning to begin their funded stay between February and July 2027. Since the application requires several documents, including a study or research plan, motivation letter, academic records, language proof and recommendation letter, applicants should begin preparing well in advance.

Students should also remember that this is not a general scholarship for international students to study in Germany. Applicants must already be enrolled at an eligible German HAW/Fachhochschule and intend to undertake an approved academic stay abroad.

For the most accurate and current requirements, applicants should always review the official DAAD programme information before submitting their application. Apply Now