• April 30, 2026 - Research Grants in Germany (PhD / Postdocs)
• May 1, 2026 - German Studies Research Grants (Bachelor, Master's & PhD students)
• May 15, 2026 - Study Visits for Artists and Academics
• May 15, 2026 - Re-Invitation Grant (for former holders of DAAD Study Scholarship or Research Grant six months or longer)

• Graduate School Scholarship Program (PhD students)

Graduate School Scholarship Program

DAAD’s Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP) provides up to four years of support for exceptional international doctoral candidates pursuing PhD studies in select structured graduate schools at German universities. The participating schools offer studies across the disciplinary spectrum and there are study programs taught both in German or English.

Unlike other DAAD programs, students do not apply directly to the GSSP program. Rather, after applying at a participating graduate school (see www.daad.de/gssp for the list of participating graduate schools) and being nominated for a scholarship by said graduate school, applicants are then invited by DAAD to upload their application to the application portal.

With the application window to German study programs opening in the first months of 2026, now is a good time for those interested in PhD studies there to familiarize themselves with this program and the opportunities it can support. For details on GSSP, please visit: www.daad.de/gssp.

For questions about GSSP, please the Program Officer for the program, Ms. Irmgard Kasperek by writing: gssp@daad.de

DAAD launches new programme “Academic Horizons” to attract international talent

Earlier this fall, DAAD announced the launch of “Academic Horizons – Attracting Global Minds”, a program to support German universities in their efforts to attract young international talent to Germany for graduate studies in key technologies including AI, quantum technology and climate-neutral mobility. This program will run through 2029 with funding provided by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee offered, “It is crucial for Germany's future and competitiveness to attract outstanding young people from all over the world to our higher education institutions for Master's degree and doctoral programs in key technologies. With ”Academic Horizons“, DAAD is supporting our member higher education institutions in their efforts to bring such students to Germany and helping them provide these scholars with good support while here.”

To learn more about “Academic Horizons” please click here.

VORsprung: A digital head start for Engineering and Science studies in Germany

VORsprung (in English “headstart”) is DAAD's free, digital study preparation program for international high school students wanting to pursue a Bachelor degree in a STEM field at a German university.

The program runs 36 weeks and includes course work in relevant subject along with intensive German language instruction and culminates with students taking both taking the TestAS and TestDaF entrance exams.

Applications are being accepted through January 15, 2026 with classes beginning in March 2026.

For more information on VORsprung including how to apply, please click here.

Canadian Summer School in Germany

This year's Canadian Summer School in Germany will once again offer students of German from Canadian universities an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the German language and culture through an intensive 7-week study program taking place in Kassel, Germany in May and June 2026.

Classes will take place on Universität Kassel campus and be led by professors from the University of Toronto professors and other Canadian universities. This year, the program is able to offer instruction in German at the intermediate level (200 and 300 levels).

For further details on CSSG, please click here.

Canadian Year in Freiburg

The Canadian Year in Freiburg offers students of all disciplines from Canadian universities and colleges the chance to spend one semester or a full a year of study at the University of Freiburg.

Credits earned in Germany can be used towards participating students' Canadian degree studies.

Participating students need to demonstrate German language skills to at least the A2 level.

Application deadline for studies in the 2026-27 academic year is January 9, 2026.

For further details, visit the program's webpage by clicking here or contact the program coordinator, Dr. Christian Thomas, by writing: christian.thomas@acadiau.ca.

My DAAD Story - DAAD 100

As part of marking DAAD’s 100th anniversary, Canadian alumni were invited to share the impact that their DAAD experience had on their lives.

Read about the experiences of Ralph Carl Wushke, a retired pastor in Toronto and past President of the DAAD Alumni Association Canada.