ERP-DAAD Scholarship 2026 – Economics & Business Administration in Germany

Scholarship Description

The ERP-DAAD Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship programme sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). It provides excellently qualified graduates of Economics and Business Administration with the opportunity to complete a Master's degree at a state (public) or state-recognised German higher education institution.

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is the world's largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers. The ERP-DAAD Scholarship is specifically designed to support future leaders in economics and business who will contribute to economic development and international cooperation. Scholars receive comprehensive financial support, including a monthly stipend, allowances, and German language course funding.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at state (public) or state-recognised German higher education institutions throughout Germany. Scholars may study at any eligible university offering qualifying Master's programmes in Economics and Business Administration.

Scholarship Deadline

Applications are accepted annually between 1 June and the application deadline. For the 2026-2027 academic cycle:

Host Institution

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst / German Academic Exchange Service) – the largest German support organisation for international academic cooperation. The scholarship is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Scholars study at their chosen German university after being admitted to a qualifying Master's programme in Economics or Business Administration.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Master's degree programmes.

Fields: Economics and Business Administration. Eligible programmes include but are not limited to: Economics, Business Administration, Management, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, International Business, Economic Policy, Development Economics, and related business and economic disciplines.

Duration: 18–24 months (3 or 4 semesters). Scholarships are awarded for degree courses with a duration of 3 or 4 semesters.

Target Group

Excellently qualified graduates of Economics and Business Administration from around the world. The scholarship is designed for students who will contribute to economic development and international cooperation. Applications are open to international students from all countries (with particular outreach through DAAD regional offices).

Residency requirement: Your application cannot be considered if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: 18–24 months (scholarships awarded for 3 or 4 semesters). To receive further funding after the first year, proof of academic achievements should indicate successful progress.

Scholarship benefits include:

• Monthly stipend: €992 per month
• Study allowance: €460 per year
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance – payments towards coverage
• Travel allowance (upon application only)
• German language course – upon selection committee decision, DAAD may fund attendance of a German language course at a language school in Germany for two months before the scholarship-supported studies begin.
• Additional payments may be paid upon application (note: family allowances cannot be paid)

Stay abroad: If the degree programme includes a stay abroad, funding will only be considered if it does not take place in the home country and lasts a maximum of 25% of the scholarship term.

Scholarship Eligibility

Academic requirements: You must hold at least your first academic degree (Bachelor, Diplom, or comparable degree) in the field of Economics or Business Administration by the time you commence your scholarship-supported study programme.

Degree recency: As a rule, you should have taken the final examinations of your last academic degree no longer than six years before the time of application.

Programme application: You must apply to three host universities for admission to studies simultaneously. The scholarship award letter from DAAD only becomes effective if the notification of admission has been presented to DAAD in due time before the beginning of the scholarship.

Residency in Germany: Your application cannot be considered if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.

Language skills: When you apply to DAAD for a scholarship, you must provide proof of your current level of proficiency in the language of instruction (German, English, or German and English) in your chosen study programme.

• For German-taught programmes: TestDaF, DSH, Goethe-Zertifikat (C1/C2 typically), or equivalent.
• For English-taught programmes: Cambridge English, IELTS (typically 6.0+), TOEFL iBT (typically 80+), PTE Academic, or equivalent. Certificates should be no older than 3 years at the application deadline.

Note: You are responsible for ensuring your application for admission to your chosen German universities is submitted by the due date. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Application Procedure

1. Register on the DAAD portal – Access the DAAD scholarship portal at https://portal.daad.de. Registration is required to complete the online application form.
2. Identify eligible Master's programmes – Research and select up to 3 German Master's programmes in Economics or Business Administration at state (public) or state-recognised German higher education institutions.
3. Prepare required documents – Gather all application materials in PDF format (non-certified scans are accepted initially; DAAD may request certified copies later if a grant is awarded).
4. Request recommendation form – Obtain one recent, supporting letter of recommendation from a university teacher on official letterhead (unless exempted by special conditions).
5. Complete the online application – Fill out the application form in the DAAD portal. Upload all required documents under the appropriate sections. Submit the application online before the deadline.
6. Apply for university admission – Concurrently apply for admission to your chosen German Master's programmes (minimum 3 universities). If you receive admission after the scholarship deadline, you must submit it before the funding period begins (October 2027).
7. Selection process – Scholarship holders are selected by selection committees in the home countries (DAAD regional offices). Selection is based on academic merit, motivation, language proficiency, and the quality of the study project.
8. Notification – Successful applicants are notified after the selection in February–March 2027. Funding begins in October 2027.

Required application documents (to be uploaded to DAAD portal):

• Full CV in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
• Letter of motivation (1–2 pages) – academic and personal reasons for the planned study project in Germany
• Letter(s) of admission to the study programme(s) (or to be submitted before funding begins)
• Form 'Information about your preferred master programmes' (duly completed)
• University degree certificate indicating final grade(s) (submit by funding start if not yet completed)
• Proof of language(s) of instruction (German/English, no older than 3 years)
• One supporting letter of recommendation from a university teacher
• School leaving certificate with all individual grades and grading system explanation
• All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grades
• German or English translations of documents submitted in the national language
• Other relevant documents (employment certificates, proof of placements – optional)

Important notes:

• Applications are only valid if all required documents are submitted by the deadline.
• The DAAD portal closes at 24:00 (CET/CEST) on the deadline day.
• Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
• Use a desktop computer – mobile devices have limited portal functionality.
• For applicants from Ukraine: The requirement to submit a letter of recommendation is suspended.

Official Website & Application Link

DAAD Scholarship Database – ERP-DAAD Scholarship

DAAD Portal: https://portal.daad.de

Scholarship Link (copy): daad.de/go/en/stipa50015171

DAAD Information Centre Kyiv (for inquiries): https://www.daad-ukraine.org/en/about-us/contact/

More detailed information: www.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/international-programs/en