There is no single deadline for the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) that works for every course. Use this guide to locate the right official instructions before preparing a German postgraduate scholarship application.
Who the programme is for
The German Academic Exchange Service’s DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) listing links the 2027/28 course list. It targets eligible-country graduates with a related degree, upper-third results, development motivation and at least two years’ relevant post-degree work. Degrees normally should be no more than six years old; residence in Germany beyond 15 months at the deadline excludes applicants. Language requirements depend on the course.
Funding and applications vary by course
Support includes monthly payments, insurance contributions and a conditional travel allowance; additional benefits depend on circumstances. Duration is course-dependent. Apply directly to the selected course, not initially to DAAD. A course committee nominates candidates for later DAAD-portal submission. Up to three course choices must retain the same priority order.
The official checklist includes the signed checklist/form, curriculum vitae (CV), motivation, employer reference and work certificates, language evidence, degrees and transcripts; extra or country-specific documents may apply. Course pages control the actual deadline, submission route and further requirements. This is an overview, not confirmation that every listed course is still open.
Our suggested way to shortlist
Start with the course
Choose a subject that connects your existing work to a clear development goal. An attractive funding headline is not enough to establish academic fit.
Keep two calendars
Track the scholarship route and any separate academic requirements. Never substitute a general admission date for a scholarship deadline.
Build a source record before drafting
- Record the current course title, intake, scholarship deadline and official course contact.
- Mark whether the page describes scholarship applicants, self-funded applicants or both.
- If the deadline has passed, choose another suitable course or prepare for a later confirmed cycle. Do not reuse an old date.
- Keep your professional evidence accurate and explain your own contribution rather than exaggerating a project’s results.
Begin with the official DAAD listing and its linked course instructions. These shortlisting suggestions are ours. Programme eligibility, nomination and an eventual award are separate decisions, and this article does not guarantee any of them.
Official sources and next steps
Information checked 24 October 2026. Official sources are linked above; recheck current requirements before acting. Swan Study Bridge is an independent education publisher. No institutional endorsement is claimed.