Overview
The Hilde Domin Programme supports:
Master’s Degree (up to 24 months)
Description
The Hilde Domin Programme supports:
Master’s Degree (up to 24 months)
Doctoral Degree / PhD (up to 48 months)
Note: The programme does not support undergraduate studies.
Eligibility
To be nominated, applicants must:
1. Be at personal risk
Candidates must prove or credibly demonstrate that they face:
Physical danger
Arrest or persecution
Denial of civil rights
Denial of educational rights
Threats due to ethnic, religious, gender, sexual, or political identity, or civic engagement
2. Hold valid academic qualifications
Must possess certificates allowing admission to higher education (verified through the anabin database).
3. Be outside Germany/EU
Candidates must not already reside in Germany or the European Union at the time of nomination.
4. Meet language requirements
German or English language proficiency at B2 level by the nomination deadline.
5. Meet academic discipline requirements
Must belong to a permitted field of study (see above).
Application Process (Important: You Cannot Apply Yourself)
Unlike most scholarships, the Hilde Domin Programme does not allow direct applications.
Additional Information
Degree Level
The Hilde Domin Programme supports:
Master’s Degree (up to 24 months)
Doctoral Degree / PhD (up to 48 months)
Note: The programme does not support undergraduate studies.
Available Subjects
Students from all academic disciplines may be nominated except:
Human Medicine
Dentistry
Veterinary Medicine
Pharmacy
Law
Special rules apply for:
Visual Arts
Performing Arts
Design
Visual Communication
Music
Film
Architecture
(These require university confirmation of academic ability and willingness to enroll.)
Benefits
The Hilde Domin Programme provides extensive financial coverage, including:
Monthly Stipend
€992 per month for Master’s students
€1,300 per month for Doctoral candidates
Additional Benefits
Health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage
Travel allowance (based on home country)
German language course (2–6 months), if needed
Funding for the full duration of the degree programme
Participation in interdisciplinary training programmes
Academic and personal support throughout the stay in Germany
Eligible Nationalities
The programme is open to all nationalities worldwide, except:
EU/EEA/EFTA countries
Andorra
Monaco
San Marino
United Kingdom
Eligibility Criteria
To be nominated, applicants must:
1. Be at personal risk
Candidates must prove or credibly demonstrate that they face:
Physical danger
Arrest or persecution
Denial of civil rights
Denial of educational rights
Threats due to ethnic, religious, gender, sexual, or political identity, or civic engagement
2. Hold valid academic qualifications
Must possess certificates allowing admission to higher education (verified through the anabin database).
3. Be outside Germany/EU
Candidates must not already reside in Germany or the European Union at the time of nomination.
4. Meet language requirements
German or English language proficiency at B2 level by the nomination deadline.
5. Meet academic discipline requirements
Must belong to a permitted field of study (see above).
Application Process (Important: You Cannot Apply Yourself)
Unlike most scholarships, the Hilde Domin Programme does not allow direct applications.
Application Procedure
Unlike most scholarships, the Hilde Domin Programme does not allow direct applications.
Step By Step Application Route
1. Nomination by an eligible institution (mandatory)
The candidate must be nominated by:
A German university
A German research institute
A German-based human rights, democracy, or peace-promotion organization
Multiple nominations do not increase chances—one is enough.
2. DAAD Plausibility Check
DAAD reviews the nomination and verifies the candidate's risk situation.
3. Invitation to Apply
If the nomination is accepted, DAAD invites the candidate to submit:
Online application
Academic documents
CV
Motivation letter
Language certificates
Risk-description form
4. Final Evaluation
An independent DAAD selection committee assesses:
Risk level
Academic potential
Motivation and suitability
Successful applicants receive the scholarship and proceed with visa and university enrollment.
Nomination & Application Deadlines
For Summer Semester 2027 Start
Nomination Deadline: 15 March 2026
Application Period (after DAAD invitation): 17 March – 15 April 2026
Nomination is possible at any time, but only fully submitted nominations before the deadline are considered.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Can I apply for the Hilde Domin Programme by myself? No. Only a German-based institution can nominate you. Direct applications are not accepted.
What type of risks must I prove to be eligible? You must show credible evidence of being denied educational rights or threatened due to your: Political activity Human rights or civic engagement Gender or sexual identity Religion Ethnic background
Can I be nominated if I already live in Germany or the EU? No. Candidates must be living outside Germany and the EU at the time of nomination.
What language skills do I need? You must demonstrate English or German at B2 level by the nomination deadline.
Can I choose any German university? Yes. Scholars are free to select any accredited German higher education institution, provided they meet university admission requirements.
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Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
Germany Universities
Degree
Masters, PhD
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
International Students
Country
Germany
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.