Göttingen DAAD EPOS Master Scholarship 2026 – MSc Development Economics

University of Göttingen / DAAD Master's Degree Germany (Göttingen)

Göttingen DAAD EPOS Master Scholarship - MSc Development Economics

Scholarship Description

The Göttingen DAAD EPOS Master Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in collaboration with the University of Göttingen. The scholarship supports highly qualified professionals from developing and newly industrialised countries to pursue the MSc Development Economics programme at one of Germany's top research universities.

The DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) scheme aims to promote the training of specialists from the Global South. Well-trained local experts who are networked with international partners play a vital role in the sustainable development of their countries. The University of Göttingen offers six to seven scholarships each year to students from eligible developing countries.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at the University of Göttingen in Göttingen, Germany. Founded in 1737, the University of Göttingen is one of Europe's most renowned research universities, associated with over 40 Nobel Prize winners. The city of Göttingen is a vibrant university town in Lower Saxony, known for its historic charm and high quality of life.

Scholarship Deadline

Applications for the DAAD EPOS scholarship at Göttingen are accepted annually from October 1st to November 15th. All applications must reach the University of Göttingen by November 15th.

Application Period: October 1 – November 15 (annually)

Programme Start: Winter term (October) only

Important: All late applications will be rejected regardless of the reasons for their tardiness.

Recommendation: Start preparing your application well before October 1. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Host Institution

The University of Göttingen – a world-class research university founded in 1737. The university is renowned for its excellence in economics, social sciences, and development studies. The MSc Development Economics programme is hosted by the Chair of Development Economics / Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CeMIS).

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Master's Degree (MSc).

Field: Development Economics – a multidisciplinary programme that combines economic theory, quantitative methods, and development policy analysis.

Eligible academic backgrounds:

A Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in Economics or a closely related subject.
At least 60 ECTS credits in Economics and/or Agricultural Economics and/or Econometrics.
At least 12 ECTS credits in Mathematics, Statistics, or Econometrics.

Target Group

Graduates from developing and newly industrialised countries (Global South) with at least two years of professional experience after their Bachelor's degree. The programme targets professionals who work for public authorities, state or private companies, or development organisations and are engaged in planning and executing development-related projects.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: 12 to 42 months (dependent on the study programme).

Scholarship benefits include:

Monthly stipend: €992 per month for graduates (rate as of 2026).
Health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage.
Travel allowance – unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding.
Monthly rent subsidy – under certain circumstances.
Monthly allowance for accompanying family members – under certain circumstances.
Preparatory German language course – if applicable.

📊 Summary of Benefits:
Stipend: €992/month (approx. €11,904/year)
Insurance: Health, accident, personal liability
Travel: Travel allowance provided
Additional: Rent subsidy + family allowance (where applicable)

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

Nationality: Must be a graduate from an eligible developing or newly industrialised country (Global South).
Academic qualification: Hold a Bachelor's degree (usually a four-year course) in Economics or a closely related subject.
Academic performance: Above-average results – typically in the top third of your class.
Professional experience: At least two years of relevant full-time work experience after the Bachelor's degree by the time of application.
Degree age: Academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.
English proficiency: IELTS Academic 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 95 (or equivalent). Certificates must not be older than three years.
Development-related motivation: Proven motivation to take on social responsibility and initiate processes of change in your home country after completing the programme.

✅ Eligible Candidates

Graduates from eligible developing/newly industrialised countries.
Bachelor's degree in Economics or a closely related subject.
Top third academic performance.
At least 2 years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 95.
Development-related motivation and social responsibility.

❌ Ineligible Candidates

Graduates from non-eligible countries.
Applicants without two years of professional experience.
Applicants whose degrees are more than six years old.
Those without the required English proficiency.
Applicants lacking development-related motivation.

Application Procedure

Create an account on the Application Portal – Register with your email address and preferred password on the Göttingen Application Portal (accessible during the application period only). Enter the verification code sent to your email.
Complete your application profile – Fill in your profile with the required information. You complete the profile once, and it applies to all applications.
Select the programme – On the homepage, choose 'Regular Procedure' and find "Development Economics with DAAD EPOS SCHOLARSHIP" under the list of programmes. Click 'Start Application'.
Complete the three-step application – The application consists of three steps: acquired skills, further declarations, and documents. Fill in all requested information accurately and completely.
Upload required documents – Upload both the programme-required documents and the DAAD-required documents (see list below).
Submit your application – Click 'Submit Application' to finalise. A successful submission is confirmed when the 'Start Application' button changes to 'Application Submitted'.
Prepare for the interview – Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview (about 15 minutes long) in January–March.
Receive your decision – You will receive an email with your application decision in mid-March.

Required application documents (DAAD EPOS):

Completed and signed DAAD checklist
DAAD EPOS application form
Curriculum Vitae in Europass format (reverse chronological order, no unexplained gaps)
One Letter of Motivation with detailed academic, professional, and personal reasons
Letter of recommendation from your current employer (with official letterhead, signature, and stamp)
Certificate(s) of Employment showing at least two years of relevant work experience
Proof of English language skills (IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 95)
Copies of higher education degree certificates (with certified translations if not in German/English)
Full set of transcript of records (with explanation of grading system)
APS Certificate (for applicants from the People's Republic of China)

Official Website & Application Links

University of Göttingen – DAAD EPOS Scholarship

EPOS Required Documents: Required Application Documents (EPOS)

DAAD Scholarship Database: DAAD EPOS Programme Information

Contact: Ann-Charline Weber, EPOS Study Coordinator – epos-devecon@uni-goettingen.de

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💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements

The Göttingen DAAD EPOS Master Scholarship offers an exceptional opportunity for professionals from developing countries to pursue a fully funded Master's degree in Development Economics at one of Germany's most prestigious universities. With a monthly stipend of €992, comprehensive insurance, travel allowance, and the possibility of a rent subsidy and family allowance, scholars can focus entirely on their studies and research.

Key strategies for a successful application:

Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria — particularly the two years of professional experience and the top-third academic performance requirement.
Start preparing your documents well before October 1. The application portal is only open from October 1 to November 15.
Write a compelling Letter of Motivation that clearly demonstrates your development-related motivation and how the programme will benefit your home country.
Secure a strong letter of recommendation from your current employer, including official letterhead, signature, and stamp.
Provide clear proof of your English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 95). Certificates must not be older than three years.
Ensure your CV follows the Europass format with no unexplained gaps.
Check your application materials for completeness before submitting — incomplete applications will not be considered.

Important reminders: The programme only starts in the winter term (October). Late applications will be rejected regardless of the reasons. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview (about 15 minutes) in January–March, and decisions are sent in mid-March. For any questions, contact the EPOS Study Coordinator at epos-devecon@uni-goettingen.de.

Göttingen DAAD EPOS Master Scholarship 2026 – FAQ

What is the Göttingen DAAD EPOS Scholarship?

It is a fully funded scholarship offered by DAAD and the University of Göttingen for professionals from developing countries to pursue the MSc Development Economics programme.

What does the scholarship cover?

A monthly stipend of €992, health/accident/personal liability insurance, travel allowance, monthly rent subsidy (under certain circumstances), and monthly allowance for accompanying family members (under certain circumstances).

Who is eligible to apply?

Graduates from developing and newly industrialised countries with a Bachelor's degree in Economics or a closely related subject, at least two years of professional experience, top-third academic performance, and IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 95.

What is the application deadline?

The application period is October 1 to November 15 annually. All applications must reach the University of Göttingen by November 15.

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship and the programme?

No. You only need to apply once — for both the study programme and the funding — directly at the University of Göttingen through the online Application Portal.

What documents do I need to submit?

DAAD application form, checklist, Europass CV, Letter of Motivation, employer recommendation letter, employment certificates, English language proof, degree certificates, transcripts of records, and APS Certificate (for applicants from China).

When will I know if I received the scholarship?

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview (about 15 minutes) in January–March. You will receive an email with your application decision in mid-March.