DAAD Scholarship for Nigerians: Official Application Guide

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers several funding routes for international study and research in Germany. DAAD confirms that it supports Nigerian students and lecturers through scholarships and academic opportunities, but eligibility, benefits, deadlines, subjects, and application procedures differ from programme to programme.

Start with the official DAAD scholarship database

Use the DAAD Scholarship Database to find a currently available call. Before preparing an application, read the entire listing for your selected programme, including the country-of-origin conditions, degree level, subject area, required professional or academic background, documents, deadline, and application route. The database directs applicants to the relevant application portal.

Which DAAD options may apply?

DAAD says its scholarships are aimed primarily at graduates, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers. There are different routes for Master’s study, doctoral research, research grants, and other academic purposes. A call that suits one applicant may not be open to another, even where both are Nigerian graduates.

EPOS: development-related postgraduate courses

One commonly searched option is the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme. DAAD describes EPOS as individual scholarships for participants from developing countries who will study development-related postgraduate courses at selected German universities. The current EPOS call and its available-course list must be checked in the official database; do not rely on an old course list or deadline from a blog post.

Funding and application rules vary by call

DAAD states that scholarships generally do not need to be repaid and may include a monthly payment, a travel allowance, and, in many cases, health, accident, and personal-liability insurance. The actual benefits, amount, duration, and any additional support are set out in each programme’s official call. Do not describe a particular DAAD scholarship as fully funded unless the live call for that programme explicitly confirms the components it covers.

How Nigerian applicants can prepare responsibly

1. Search the official DAAD database for an open programme that matches your academic level and intended study or research plan.
2. Read the selected call line by line. Pay particular attention to the deadline, language requirements, professional experience, academic records, references, and application channel.
3. Use DAAD’s admission database and the chosen university’s own requirements to assess whether your qualification meets the course’s admission conditions.
4. For Nigeria-specific study and research information, use the DAAD in Nigeria information page and its official advisory routes.

Avoid application scams

• Do not pay an agent for a “guaranteed” DAAD place, special shortlist, or private portal access.
• Do not submit documents through an unrelated website simply because it repeats an old DAAD deadline.
• Confirm the current call, application portal, and listed deadline directly on DAAD’s official sites.

Official sources

• DAAD Scholarships Overview — programme types, database route, selection information, and general funding explanation.
• DAAD Scholarship Database — current programme calls, requirements, deadlines, and application access.
• DAAD EPOS Programme — official explanation of the development-related postgraduate route.
• DAAD in Nigeria — Nigeria-focused information and official advisory links.

Last checked: August 14, 2026. Scholarship calls, course lists, eligibility, funding, and deadlines can change. Confirm the live official listing before applying, paying any third party, or making travel plans.