DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)

Official overview

The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses programme, often known as EPOS, offers scholarships for graduates from developing and newly industrialised countries to study selected development related postgraduate courses in Germany. The DAAD says the courses are selected for their development orientation and practical relevance and that the programme is intended to strengthen professionals and future decision makers. The EPOS route is long established and well known across a wide range of disciplines tied to public policy, engineering, health, governance, planning, and other development fields. To compare German and non German study options, you can use /tools/scholarship-finder and read application planning pieces on /articles .

Funding and benefits

The official DAAD scholarship database says EPOS funding can include a monthly payment, health, accident, and personal liability insurance, and a travel allowance unless paid by another source. The database entry also states the monthly rate for graduates and doctoral candidates, with higher support for doctoral candidates beginning in February 2026. Some scholars may also receive rent or family allowances depending on circumstances. Because the exact benefits can change by programme year and level, applicants should check the current scholarship database entry linked from the EPOS page. The route is usually regarded as one of the strongest Germany based scholarships for professionals with development focused goals.

Eligibility and study level

EPOS is aimed at applicants from developing and newly industrialised countries who have at least two years of professional experience and a relevant bachelor’s degree. The current official database entry states that the funding is for postgraduate or master’s study at state or state recognised German universities and, in exceptional cases, for doctoral study. The programme is explicitly connected to development related courses rather than any course in Germany. That means the academic field must match an EPOS eligible course in the DAAD list and the applicant must satisfy the course specific criteria.

Required documents and application process

Applicants normally apply directly to the university course listed in the DAAD scholarship database. Typical documents include transcripts, degree certificates, proof of professional experience, language evidence if required by the course, CV, motivation letter, and any additional course specific forms. The DAAD page points applicants to the current scholarship database and to the list of available courses with application deadlines. A practical preparation step is to build a shortlist only after confirming the course’s own deadline and admission language. That is sensible advice, not a formal DAAD requirement.

Timeline and current status

The EPOS overview page says the current call for applications can be found in the DAAD scholarship database. The linked current database entry shows updated information and references course deadlines for 2026/27, but the overall programme page does not present one universal deadline because each course sets its own timetable. For this catalog, the safest confirmed status is that the current EPOS call is active through the DAAD scholarship database and that applicants must use the course specific dates shown there. Since EPOS is course driven, the exact deadline should be recorded only after selecting a specific course.

Important conditions

Applicants should not treat EPOS as a generic DAAD scholarship for every German university course. The funding is limited to development related postgraduate courses in the scheme list. Eligibility depends on the selected course and the country list shown by DAAD, and some courses may have additional requirements such as professional background or language level. The DAAD page also notes that the announcement of scholarships is subject to BMZ funding. That means the official database and course pages are the authority for current availability. If you are comparing fields or trying to identify a matching programme, start with the official DAAD EPOS page and then narrow down to the specific course page.

Official resources

The official DAAD EPOS overview page.

The DAAD scholarship database entry for the current EPOS call.

The list of EPOS eligible courses and their deadlines.

The selected German university course page for admission details.

This guide is based on official DAAD pages and the current scholarship database entry. (daad.de)

How to judge whether this scholarship fits you

Begin by comparing every published condition with your own record, not with a friend's experience or an old social media post. For DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), pay particular attention to the stated nationality or residence group of Developing and newly industrialised countries, the Master's, Doctoral study level, and the approved study destination of Germany. Check whether the rules refer to citizenship, current residence, permanent residence, or the country where your previous degree was completed, because these are not always interchangeable. You should also confirm minimum grades, graduation dates, age limits, work experience, language tests, admission requirements, and any return-home condition. If one condition is unclear, use the official contact channel before investing time or money in documents.

Building a competitive application

Eligibility only determines whether an application can be considered. Selection is usually comparative, so a strong submission should show why your preparation, proposed study, and future plans fit the purpose of DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS). Read the provider's objectives and identify the outcomes it values, such as academic excellence, leadership, public service, research impact, professional development, or contribution to a community. Then choose evidence from your education, employment, volunteering, projects, or personal responsibilities that demonstrates those qualities. Use specific examples with a clear situation, action, and result. Avoid copying generic statements about passion or financial need. Reviewers should be able to see what you have already done, what the proposed programme will help you learn, and how you intend to use that learning after graduation.

Writing the personal statement or study plan

A persuasive statement connects your past experience to a realistic next step. Explain why your chosen field, currently recorded as Development-related postgraduate fields, matters to the problem you want to address. Show that you understand the course, institution, or research environment rather than praising it in general terms. If the scholarship asks several essay questions, answer each question directly and avoid repeating the same story. Keep claims factual and support them with evidence. A useful editing method is to ask whether every paragraph adds new information about your preparation, judgement, character, or proposed impact. Leave time for revision, and ask a trusted reader to check clarity without replacing your voice.

References and supporting evidence

Choose referees who know your recent academic or professional work and can discuss it with examples. A senior title is less valuable than direct knowledge of your abilities. Contact referees early, share the official criteria, explain your study plan, and give them the exact submission deadline. Confirm whether the referee must upload a letter, complete an online form, or send the reference from an institutional email address. Your curriculum vitae, essays, transcript, and references should tell a consistent story. Dates, job titles, grades, awards, and project descriptions must agree across documents. If a document is unavailable, translated, provisional, or issued under a different name, follow the provider's instructions instead of uploading an unexplained substitute.

Planning the funding and practical costs

The funding category recorded for this opportunity is Fully funded, but applicants should still create a complete budget. Check whether the award covers full tuition or a fixed contribution, and whether payments are made to the institution or to the scholar. Look for information about accommodation, living allowance, flights, visa charges, health insurance, research costs, dependants, and arrival expenses. Currency changes and local housing costs can affect the real value of an award. Do not assume that every cost described as eligible will be paid automatically. Where a programme offers partial support, identify a realistic source for the remaining amount before accepting an offer.

Application timeline and final checks

Work backwards from the official deadline for your application route. Reserve the final days for technical problems rather than first drafts. A practical sequence is to confirm eligibility, shortlist courses, request transcripts, contact referees, draft essays, obtain language results, and complete the online form. Some scholarships require university admission before the funding application, while others use a combined process or require nomination by a university, ministry, employer, or national agency. Submit through the correct route for your country and programme. Before pressing submit, preview every page, open uploaded files, check that names and dates are accurate, and save a copy of the completed application and confirmation message.

After submission and possible interviews

Keep monitoring the email address and application portal you used. Scholarship providers may request corrections, additional evidence, an interview, or a response within a short period. Prepare for an interview by reviewing your application, the scholarship's mission, your proposed course, and the practical impact you described. Be ready to explain decisions, limitations, and alternative plans honestly. If you receive an offer, read all conditions before accepting, including academic performance requirements, reporting duties, travel dates, visa responsibilities, and obligations after study. If you are unsuccessful, retain your materials and seek specific feedback where available. A careful application can often be adapted for another suitable opportunity without being copied unchanged.

Related scholarships and planning resources

Use the Scholarship Finder to compare your profile with the current catalog. You can also explore programmes with the Course Finder , review your academic standing with the CGPA Calculator , and read current application advice in the NGScholars article library .

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