Germany continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading destinations for research and innovation by investing in international academic mobility. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has officially opened applications for the HAW.International Research Scholarships 2027, a prestigious funding programme that enables doctoral researchers at German Universities of Applied Sciences (HAWs) to conduct research abroad while receiving comprehensive financial support.
Unlike many doctoral scholarships that only provide funding for studies at a single university, the HAW.International Research Scholarship is specifically designed to support international research stays, allowing candidates to access specialized laboratories, archives, research institutes, field sites, and global academic networks that can significantly strengthen the quality and impact of their doctoral projects.
The programme offers funding for research stays lasting between one and six months, with opportunities to undertake research at universities, research institutes, archives, or fieldwork locations almost anywhere in the world. For doctoral candidates seeking international collaboration and greater research visibility, this scholarship represents one of DAAD’s most flexible mobility programmes.
About the HAW.International Research Scholarship
The HAW.International programme is funded by DAAD to encourage doctoral researchers enrolled at German Universities of Applied Sciences to gain valuable international research experience without interrupting their doctoral studies.
Rather than funding an entire PhD programme, the scholarship finances carefully planned international research visits that contribute directly to a candidate’s dissertation. Researchers may work alongside internationally recognized experts, access specialized facilities unavailable in Germany, collect research data, perform fieldwork, or use archives essential to their projects.
One of the programme’s biggest advantages is its flexibility. Depending on the research plan, scholars may conduct their research at:
- Universities abroad
- International research institutes
- Government laboratories
- Libraries and archives
- Field research locations
- Multiple institutions across different countries (where academically justified)
This flexibility allows researchers to design research visits that best support their academic objectives.
Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Germany (Funding for research abroad) |
| Funding Organization | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
| Programme | HAW.International Research Scholarship |
| Study Level | Doctoral (PhD) |
| Research Duration | 1–6 months per funding period |
| Total Possible Funding | Up to 12 months during doctorate |
| Eligible Applicants | Doctoral candidates at German HAWs |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Deadline | Rolling applications (minimum three months before departure) |
Why This DAAD Scholarship Matters
Many doctoral researchers eventually reach a point where completing high-quality research requires access to facilities or expertise outside their home institution.
Examples include:
- Advanced laboratories
- International research collaborations
- Specialized scientific equipment
- Historical archives
- Fieldwork locations
- International datasets
- Expert supervision
- Collaborative publications
Without financial assistance, these international research visits can become prohibitively expensive.
The HAW.International Scholarship addresses this challenge by covering many of the major costs associated with overseas research while allowing candidates to remain enrolled in their doctoral programme in Germany.
Scholarship Benefits
The programme provides extensive financial support that goes well beyond a monthly stipend.
Successful applicants may receive:
| Benefit | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Monthly scholarship | Amount depends on destination country |
| International travel allowance | ✔ Included |
| Health insurance | ✔ Covered |
| Accident insurance | ✔ Covered |
| Personal liability insurance | ✔ Covered |
| Research and conference allowance | €102 per month |
| Tuition contribution (where applicable) | Available |
| Language course funding | Available |
| Project-related travel | Available |
| Family allowance | Available for eligible applicants |
| Support for disabilities/chronic illness | Available |
| Supervisor visit funding | Up to 10 days |
The exact financial package varies according to the destination country and approved research activities.
Duration of Funding
The scholarship supports short-term international research stays.
| Duration | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 1 month (4 weeks) |
| Maximum | 6 months |
| Total funding possible during doctorate | Up to 12 months |
| Number of funding periods | Maximum of two |
| Gap between funding periods | At least 6 months |
Researchers wishing to undertake a second research stay must submit a new application.
Eligible Research Activities
Funding can support a wide variety of doctoral research activities, including:
- Laboratory research
- Archive research
- Data collection
- International fieldwork
- Scientific collaboration
- Research internships
- Experimental research
- Applied technology projects
- Conference participation linked to research
- Collaborative publications
The research activities must clearly contribute to the applicant’s doctoral dissertation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be pursuing a doctorate at a German University of Applied Sciences (HAW) with doctoral awarding rights, or
- Be enrolled in a cooperative doctoral programme involving a German HAW and a university with doctoral awarding rights.
- Have been formally accepted as a doctoral candidate.
- Normally be within the first three years of doctoral studies (unless exceptional circumstances apply).
- Demonstrate a strong academic research proposal.
- Obtain support from both the home institution and the host institution abroad.
Importantly, applicants do not need to be German citizens. International doctoral candidates enrolled in eligible German HAW doctoral programmes are welcome to apply.
Who Cannot Apply?
Applicants generally are not eligible if they:
- Already receive mobility funding for the same research stay from another DAAD programme.
- Hold doctoral scholarships from certain major German gifted education foundations that prohibit additional DAAD mobility funding.
- Do not have formal doctoral admission before the application deadline.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare a complete application package that typically includes:
- Completed online application form
- Detailed research proposal
- Academic curriculum vitae (CV)
- Doctoral admission confirmation
- Research timetable
- Invitation or confirmation from the host institution
- Letter of support from the doctoral supervisor
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Proof of language proficiency (if required)
- Any additional documents requested by DAAD
Preparing these documents well in advance is recommended, particularly because obtaining host institution confirmations may take several weeks.
Why International Research Experience Is Valuable
International research experience has become increasingly important in today’s academic environment.
Researchers who collaborate internationally often benefit from:
- Larger professional networks
- Greater publication opportunities
- Exposure to different research methodologies
- Access to advanced facilities
- Higher international visibility
- Improved competitiveness for postdoctoral positions
- Stronger applications for future research grants
- Better career prospects in academia and industry
The HAW.International programme is designed to provide exactly these opportunities while ensuring candidates can continue making progress toward completing their doctoral degrees.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the DAAD application portal.
The general process involves:
- Develop a research proposal aligned with your doctoral project.
- Secure acceptance from a suitable host institution abroad.
- Obtain support from your doctoral supervisor.
- Gather all required supporting documents.
- Submit the complete online application through DAAD.
- Await evaluation and funding decision.
Because applications are assessed individually, candidates are encouraged to submit strong, carefully prepared proposals demonstrating the academic value of the planned international research stay.
Apply Here
Application Deadline
Unlike many scholarship programmes that have a single annual deadline, the DAAD HAW.International Research Scholarship operates on a rolling basis.
Applicants must submit their application at least three months before the planned start date of their research stay abroad.
Researchers planning international mobility during the 2027–2028 academic year are encouraged to begin preparing their applications as early as possible, especially since securing host institution agreements and recommendation letters can take considerable time.
The HAW.International DAAD German Research Scholarships 2027 provide an exceptional opportunity for doctoral researchers to expand their academic horizons through fully funded international research experiences. With support for travel, living expenses, insurance, research activities, language training, and family-related costs, the programme removes many of the financial barriers associated with conducting research abroad.
For PhD candidates who want to strengthen their dissertations, collaborate with leading international experts, and build a globally competitive research profile, this scholarship offers one of Germany’s most practical and flexible research mobility opportunities.
