Deadline: 15 April 2026
Applications for the DAAD Hilde Domin Scholarship Programme 2026/27 are now open through nominating institutions. This fully funded programme, administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and financed by the German Federal Foreign Office, supports students and doctoral candidates worldwide whose academic freedom, safety or basic rights are threatened in their home countries.
The Hilde Domin Scholarship offers a crucial path for at-risk individuals to pursue higher education in Germany, enabling them to resume or complete their studies in a secure academic environment.
Programme Purpose
The programme is designed to:
- Protect students and researchers at risk of political persecution, violence, arrest or serious restrictions on civil and educational rights.
- Provide safe access to higher education or research opportunities in Germany.
- Strengthen the academic and professional capacity of beneficiaries through interdisciplinary training.
- Enable awardees to contribute to political, economic and social development in their home countries, Germany, or a third country after completing their studies.
Who Was Hilde Domin?
The programme is named after Hilde Domin (1909–2006), a German-Jewish poet and essayist whose life reflected exile, resilience and eventual return.
Key facts:
- Fled Nazi Germany in 1932 and lived in exile for more than 20 years, including in the Dominican Republic, which inspired her pen name.
- Returned to Germany, becoming widely known as the “poet of return.”
- Recipient of major literary awards such as the Carl Zuckmayer Medal, the Nelly Sachs Prize and the Grand Federal Cross of Merit.
- Her poems often explore themes of displacement, belonging and hope.
Her story mirrors the journey of many scholars the programme seeks to support today.
Nomination and Selection Process
Individuals cannot apply directly. Only candidates formally nominated by eligible organisations will be considered.
Who Can Nominate?
Any Germany-based institution that is a legal entity and active in:
- Academia
- Scientific research
- Human rights protection
- Peace and democracy promotion
- Rule of law initiatives
Nomination Steps
- Nominating institution submits the official online nomination form.
- A detailed risk assessment questionnaire must be completed.
- DAAD reviews the plausibility of the candidate’s risk situation.
- If deemed suitable, the candidate is invited to apply through the DAAD portal.
- Applications are reviewed for completeness.
- Final selection is made by an independent committee appointed by DAAD.
Important notes:
- Multiple nominations do not give any advantage.
- One nomination is sufficient to be considered.
- Institutions may nominate more than one candidate.
- Candidates must demonstrate German or English proficiency at B2 level by the nomination deadline.
Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must:
- Be prospective Master’s students or doctoral candidates in any field except:
- Human medicine
- Dentistry
- Veterinary medicine
- Pharmacy
- Law
- Provide credible evidence of risk, such as persecution, threats, or denial of educational access.
- Hold academic credentials that qualify them for study in Germany (verified via the anabin database).
- Reside outside Germany and the EU at the time of nomination.
For Artistic Disciplines
Candidates applying in fields such as music, design, architecture, performing arts or fine arts must be nominated only by accredited higher education institutions. A confirmation letter must verify:
- The applicant’s artistic and academic capability.
- The institution’s willingness to enroll the candidate if selected.
Funding and Duration
Duration
- Master’s degree: up to 24 months
- Doctoral degree: up to 48 months
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full living expenses
- Academic-related costs
- Health insurance
- Additional DAAD benefits depending on study level and circumstances
This makes the programme one of the most generous and protective scholarship schemes for at-risk scholars.
Key Deadline
Nomination deadline: 15 April 2026
For further details, please see the scholarship’s website.
