The DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, is the main way most Nigerians get funded study and research in Germany, and it is worth understanding properly before you apply. DAAD is not one scholarship with one form. It is a funding body that runs many different programmes, and the one that fits you depends on your level and field. For Nigerian graduates, the best-known route is the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), which fund master’s and some PhD study in subjects tied to development.
Apply on the official page: DAAD Scholarships (daad.de). Start every application from DAAD’s own database, not from an agent.
Quick summary
| Funder | DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), funded by the German government |
|---|---|
| Study level | Mostly postgraduate: master’s, PhD and research stays |
| Typical cover | Monthly stipend, and depending on the programme, travel, insurance and study costs |
| Who it suits | Nigerian graduates, researchers and, for a few programmes, undergraduates |
| Official page | daad.de scholarship database |
What DAAD funding usually covers
The exact package depends on the programme you pick, but a full DAAD scholarship commonly includes a monthly living stipend, health and accident insurance, and a travel allowance. Some programmes add a study or research allowance, and a few help with rent or a family supplement. One honest point: many Master’s programmes in Germany already charge little or no tuition at public universities, so DAAD’s value for you is often the stipend that lets you actually live while you study, rather than a tuition waiver.
Are you eligible?
- You hold a strong first degree relevant to the programme you are applying for.
- For EPOS, you usually need around two years of relevant work experience after graduating.
- You meet the language requirement, which is English for English-taught courses or German where the course demands it.
- Your chosen course and university appear on DAAD’s approved list for that programme.
How to apply, in the right order
- Open the DAAD scholarship database and filter by your status, country (Nigeria) and subject.
- Read the specific programme page in full, because each one sets its own courses, documents and selection rules.
- Prepare your documents early: degree certificate, transcripts, CV, a clear motivation letter and, for EPOS, proof of work experience.
- Apply through the route the programme states, which may be directly to DAAD or through the German university.
- Keep a copy of every submission and confirmation.
If you are casting a wide net for funded study in Europe, it is sensible to line up more than one option. Two routes many Nigerians apply to alongside DAAD are the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters and the fully funded Commonwealth Scholarship.
How to find the right DAAD programme
The biggest DAAD mistake is treating it as one scholarship with one form. It is a funding body running many programmes, and your success depends on choosing the one that fits your level and field before you write anything. Start in the official DAAD scholarship database and filter by your status, Nigeria, and your subject. Read each programme page fully, because every one sets its own eligible courses, documents, and selection rules. For most Nigerian graduates the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses, known as EPOS, are the main route, and they usually expect around two years of relevant work experience. Picking the right programme first means the rest of your application is aimed correctly rather than wasted on a scheme you do not qualify for.
How to prepare a strong application
Give yourself months, not days, because a strong DAAD application rests on documents you cannot rush. Line up your transcripts, a focused CV, a clear motivation letter and academic references early, and make sure each one speaks directly to the programme you are targeting. Confirm the exact requirements on the official DAAD scholarship database for your course, since they differ from one programme to the next. Apply before the stated deadline and keep copies of everything you submit, so you can respond quickly if the selection team asks for more.
Related guides
- Chevening Scholarship for Nigerians: 2027/28 Official Application Guide
- NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship: 2026/27 Status and Official Guide
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2026 Direct Application Portal
- Commonwealth Scholarship for Nigerians: How to Apply and Win (Fully Funded UK Study)
Once you have the right programme, preparation is about evidence and timing. Get your degree certificate, transcripts, CV, and a clear, specific motivation letter ready early, and for EPOS add proof of your work experience. Tailor the motivation letter to the exact programme and explain how the study links to the work you want to do back home, since DAAD values relevance over ambition. Confirm whether the course is taught in English or German and meet the stated language requirement. Apply through the route the programme specifies, which may be directly to DAAD or through the German university, keep copies of everything, and never pay an agent who claims to secure a DAAD award.
Frequently asked questions
Is DAAD only for master’s students? No. There are PhD and research grants too, and a small number of undergraduate options, but postgraduate funding is the main route for Nigerians.
Do I need to speak German? Not always. Many master’s programmes are taught in English, but check the language rule on each programme page.
Does it cost anything to apply? No. The official application is free. Never pay anyone who claims they can secure a DAAD award for you.
Source: DAAD official scholarship database (daad.de). Confirm the current programmes, courses and requirements there before applying.
Reviewed by Miles Obi, Careers and Scholarships Editor at Jobviza.
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