Applications are open for the DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship 2027, which gives eligible university students the chance to spend four weeks studying German language and regional studies at participating institutions in Germany. The programme is run by the German Academic Exchange Service and funded by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, with the next application window running from 1 September 2026 to 30 October 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Key facts
- The funded courses take place in Germany between June and September 2027.
- The course lasts four weeks and is taught entirely in German.
- The scholarship covers course fees, accommodation, a one-time €475 allowance, insurance and travel support for selected countries.
- Applicants must be enrolled at an eligible university outside Germany and remain enrolled during the scholarship period.
- Undergraduate applicants must have completed at least two years of university study by the start of the funded course.
What does this mean for students and applicants?
The scholarship is aimed at students who want to strengthen their German for academic, technical or professional use while also learning about German society and regional studies. It is open across disciplines, so applicants do not need to study German or a humanities subject to qualify. Eligible candidates may come from fields including engineering, medicine, social sciences, law, arts, natural sciences and economics.
Practical support is substantial: DAAD covers the language course cost, arranges accommodation for the duration of the stay, and provides a one-time €475 allowance. A country-specific travel allowance may also apply for applicants from selected countries. The programme is in-person only, so successful applicants must travel to Germany and attend the course physically for the full four weeks.
- Application window: 1 September 2026 to 30 October 2026 at 23:59 CET
- Course period: June to September 2027
- Course length: four weeks
- Minimum age: 18 at the start of the course
How does the scholarship work?
DAAD says the programme combines language learning with regional studies and is intended to improve both general and technical German. Courses normally run no more than five days a week and provide at least 25 teaching hours per week. That means participants are expected to complete an intensive in-person study period rather than an online or part-time course.
Accommodation is normally arranged as a single room, and it may be in a student residence, shared apartment or private household. The €475 allowance and any applicable travel support are paid through the course provider in Germany rather than transferred abroad before the programme begins.
Who can apply?
DAAD’s current call is open to undergraduate and master’s students from all academic disciplines, provided they are enrolled at an eligible university outside Germany and remain enrolled throughout the scholarship period. Undergraduate students must have completed at least two academic years by the time the funded course begins. The scholarship can only be used once.
Applicants also need sufficient German-language ability to follow lessons and participate in group work. The programme is not for beginners, because courses are taught exclusively in German and proof of language proficiency must be submitted with the application. Accepted certificates include onSET-Deutsch, TestDaF, Goethe-Institut Zertifikat, DSD, DSH, telc Deutsch and ÖSD-Zertifikat, with some country-specific calls also accepting the DAAD Language Certificate German under certain conditions.
What documents are needed?
Applicants must submit the DAAD online application form, a CV in tabular form, a motivation letter and university transcripts covering the previous two years of study. Where documents are not in German or English, translations must be included. The motivation letter should explain how the summer course fits the applicant’s academic degree, postgraduate plans, research interests or professional plans.
Selection is competitive. DAAD says applications are reviewed by a committee that looks at previous academic achievement and the quality of the motivation letter. Meeting the basic eligibility rules does not guarantee an award.
Is the course fully funded?
The scholarship provides strong financial support, but it is better described as a funded short-term scholarship rather than a universal full-cost award. DAAD covers the course fee, accommodation, a €475 allowance, insurance and travel support for selected countries. Applicants may still need to budget for personal costs that are not covered by the package.
Frequently asked questions
Can students study remotely?
No. The courses are taught entirely in German and must be attended in person in Germany. DAAD does not allow remote participation.
When do the funded courses take place?
The funded summer courses take place between June and September 2027, with exact dates depending on the selected host institution and course.
