Are you a student or researcher from a developing country dreaming of pursuing higher education in Germany? The KAAD Scholarships 2026 could be the opportunity you have been waiting for. Offered by the Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (KAAD), this prestigious fully funded scholarship programme supports talented individuals from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America to study, research, and grow academically in one of Europe’s top educational destinations.
In this post, we cover everything you need to know about the KAAD Scholarships 2026, who can apply, what the scholarship covers, the different programmes available, and how to submit your application.
What Is the KAAD Scholarship?
KAAD, which stands for Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (Catholic Academic Exchange Service), is a German Catholic scholarship organisation that has been supporting students and researchers from developing and emerging countries for decades. Its mission is to promote academic talent from the Global South and empower scholars to return home and contribute meaningfully to their communities after completing their studies in Germany.
The KAAD scholarship is not just financial support, it is a holistic programme that includes academic, spiritual, and community engagement components. Scholars are expected to be part of an active network and participate in KAAD’s educational programmes throughout their time in Germany.
Key Details at a Glance
Before diving into the details, here is a quick overview of the KAAD Scholarships 2026:
Quick Facts
- Scholarship Name: KAAD Scholarships 2026
- Host Country: Germany (with some in-country and third-country options)
- Degree Levels: Master’s, PhD, and short research stays (2 to 6 months)
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Application Fee: None
- Eligible Regions: Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America (and Eastern Europe for a specific programme)
- Application Deadline: Varies by country and programme, most September intake deadlines fall around June 2026
What Does the KAAD Scholarship Cover?
The KAAD scholarship is fully funded, meaning you can focus entirely on your academic and research goals without financial worry. Here is what the scholarship includes:
Benefits and Coverage
- Full coverage of tuition fees at your German university
- A monthly living allowance to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses
- Health insurance for the duration of your studies or research stay
- Round-trip travel costs from your home country to Germany
- Support for German language courses if you need to improve your language skills before or during your programme
- Additional funding for research and academic activities as needed
This comprehensive package makes KAAD one of the most attractive scholarship programmes available for students from developing countries who wish to study in Germany.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
KAAD has a specific set of eligibility requirements that all applicants must meet. Carefully review the criteria below before beginning your application.
General Eligibility Criteria
- You must come from and currently live in a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America
- You must hold a university degree with relevant professional experience in your home country
- You must demonstrate above-average academic performance
- You must intend to return to your home country after completing your studies to contribute to its development
- You must be Catholic or belong to a Christian denomination (applicants from other religions may be considered in special cases if proposed by Catholic partners and if they show willingness for inter-religious dialogue)
- You must have at least basic German language skills, B1 level is preferred, though A2 is accepted for English-taught programmes
If you do not yet meet the B1 German language requirement, KAAD may provide a German language course of up to six months in Germany before your studies begin.
KAAD Scholarship Programmes
KAAD organises its scholarship work under three main programmes. Each programme has its own eligibility criteria and application process.
Scholarship Programme 1 (Main Programme)
This is KAAD’s flagship scholarship programme and the most widely available option. It is designed for students and researchers who are currently living in their home countries and wish to come to Germany for postgraduate studies or research.
Who Can Apply for Programme 1?
- You come from and currently reside in a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America
- You hold a university degree and have professional experience in your home country
- You want to pursue a Master’s degree, PhD, other postgraduate qualification, or a post-doctoral or research stay (2 to 6 months) at a German university
- You are Catholic or belong to a Christian denomination (especially important for applicants from the Near and Middle East); applicants of other faiths may be funded if proposed by Catholic partners with a willingness to engage in inter-religious dialogue
- You have German language skills of at least B1 level before arrival (or A2 for English-taught programmes)
What Does KAAD Expect from Programme 1 Applicants?
- Above-average performance potential in studies or research
- A clear plan to return to your home region after graduation and reintegrate permanently (failure to do so may mean the scholarship is treated as a loan)
- Religious and social commitment, or willingness to engage in inter-religious dialogue
- German language skills of at least B1 for participation in KAAD’s compulsory educational programme
How to Apply for Programme 1
Applications for Programme 1 are processed exclusively through KAAD’s partner committees in your home country or region. Direct applications sent to KAAD in Germany are generally not accepted. You should visit the official KAAD website, complete the initial online questionnaire, and then contact the relevant local partner committee in your country for guidance.
Scholarship Programme 2
Programme 2 is specifically designed for students from developing and emerging countries who are already studying in Germany and need financial support to complete their degree.
Who Can Apply for Programme 2?
- You come from a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America
- You are already enrolled at a university in Germany with at least 10 months of study remaining
- You want to pursue a Master’s degree (you may apply in the final semesters of a Bachelor’s), a Diploma or Magister degree, or a PhD at a German higher education institution
- You are Catholic or belong to a Christian denomination; applicants of other faiths may be supported in certain cases
- You have communicative knowledge of the German language
What Does KAAD Expect from Programme 2 Applicants?
- Above-average performance potential in studies or research
- A plan to permanently return to and reintegrate into your home region after completing your degree
- Religious and social commitment, or willingness to engage in inter-religious dialogue
- German language skills of at least B1 (or A2 for English-taught programmes)
How to Apply for Programme 2
This is an important distinction: you cannot apply directly to KAAD for Programme 2. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Catholic University Chaplaincy (KHG or KSG) at your university in Germany. The selection committee meets twice a year, so you should contact your local KHG or KSG as early as possible to find out exact deadlines and required documents.
Eastern Europe Programme
The Eastern Europe Programme is a separate track offered by KAAD in cooperation with partner committees in the region. It supports Master’s and PhD studies, as well as shorter study and research stays in Germany.
Who Can Apply for the Eastern Europe Programme?
- Applicants from countries in Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus
- You must be of Catholic denomination; in exceptional cases, applicants from another Christian denomination may be considered if proposed by Catholic partners
Applications for this programme are also handled through partner committees in the respective regions.
In-Country and Third-Country Scholarships
In addition to the main programmes, KAAD also awards scholarships that allow eligible students to study in their home country (in-country) or in a neighbouring country (third-country). These regional scholarships are available in selected countries across four regions.
Africa
Within Scholarship Programme 1, in-country Master’s programmes are available in the following KAAD partner countries:
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Ethiopia
- Zimbabwe
Asia
Students from Myanmar have a unique opportunity to pursue studies in Thailand through a Third-Country Scholarship. This option is currently available through the Diocese of Regensburg at Assumption University of Thailand in Bangkok. Additionally, with support from the Bettina Kattermann Foundation, students from Myanmar can apply for a Master of Public Health International Programme at the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University.
Latin America
In-country Master’s programmes are available in the following KAAD partner countries:
- Peru
- Guatemala
Near and Middle East
In-country study options are available in Jordan and Lebanon. Furthermore, refugees from Iraq and Syria have the possibility to apply for a Third-Country Scholarship to study in Jordan or Lebanon.
How to Apply for KAAD Scholarships 2026:
The application process for KAAD depends on which programme you are applying to. Here is a summary of the steps for each pathway:
For Scholarship Programme 1 (Main Programme)
- Visit the official KAAD website at kaad.de
- Fill out the initial online questionnaire to express your interest
- Contact the KAAD partner committee in your home country or region
- Submit your application documents through the partner committee as instructed
- Direct applications to KAAD in Germany are generally not accepted
For Scholarship Programme 2
- Contact the Catholic University Chaplaincy (KHG or KSG) at your university in Germany
- Get information about local deadlines and required documents from your chaplaincy
- Submit your application through the chaplaincy, direct applications to KAAD are not possible for Programme 2
- Note that the selection committee meets twice a year
For In-Country and Third-Country Scholarships
- Check the specific opportunities available in your region on the KAAD website
- Contact the relevant partner committee or institution in your area for guidance
- Submit your application through the appropriate regional channel
Important Deadlines
Application deadlines for KAAD Scholarships 2026 vary by country, region, and programme. Most applications for the September intake close around June 2026. However, because each partner committee has its own internal deadline, you should contact your local committee as early as possible. Do not wait until the last moment, processing and review take time.
About KAAD
KAAD (Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst) was founded to foster academic exchange between Germany and developing countries, driven by a commitment to Catholic social teaching and the principles of solidarity and international development. Over the years, KAAD has supported thousands of students and researchers from around the world, building a global network of alumni who are contributing to positive change in their home countries.
KAAD’s scholarships are not purely financial, they are part of a broader mission to build bridges between cultures, faiths, and academic communities. Scholars are invited to participate in KAAD events, seminars, and dialogues that enrich their experience beyond the lecture hall.
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