The DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027-28 in Germany has a hard deadline coming up fast — August 31, 2026 — and if you’re a student at a German University of Applied Sciences (HAW), this might be your best shot at getting your semester abroad or thesis research fully funded.

I’ve helped dozens of students navigate DAAD applications over the years, and the HAW.International program is one of the most underrated funding opportunities out there. Unlike general DAAD scholarships that are hyper-competitive, this one is specifically for HAW/FH students — and most applicants don’t even know how to structure their application to stand out.

This guide covers everything: eligibility, funding amounts, required documents, a step-by-step application walkthrough, and exactly what the selection committee looks for. Let’s get you that scholarship.

What is the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027-28?

The DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027-28 in Germany is a mobility scholarship funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with money from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

It supports students enrolled at German Universities of Applied Sciences (Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften — HAWs, formerly called Fachhochschulen) who want to spend time abroad as part of their studies.

You can use this funding for:

• Study semesters abroad — minimum 3 months, maximum 6 months
• Final thesis stays abroad — minimum 1 month, maximum 6 months

The program has been running since 2019 and is now in its second funding round, which runs through 2027. That means this is your window — don’t wait for a “next cycle” that might not come.

What Does the HAW.International Scholarship Cover?

Here’s exactly what you get with the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship:

How much is the monthly stipend? It depends entirely on your host country. DAAD provides a scholarship calculator (“Stipendienrechner”) on their portal. For context, a USA-based stay pays approximately €1,050 per month. European destinations pay less; higher-cost countries pay more.

Important: Stipend rates are subject to change and are confirmed for funding awarded in the 2025/2026 academic year. The rates for 2027/28 will be updated on the DAAD portal closer to your award date.

Who is Eligible for the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship?

Good news: You don’t need to be German to apply. International students are explicitly welcome.

Here’s the full eligibility checklist:

• Enrollment: You must be enrolled at a state or state-recognized University of Applied Sciences (HAW/FH) or at the Dual University of Baden-Württemberg or Dual University Gera-Eisenach
• Program: Bachelor, Master, or Diploma program — all subject areas are eligible
• Semester standing (Bachelor/Diploma): At least 2nd semester at the time of application
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities, including non-German citizens
• Language: You must demonstrate language proficiency required by your host institution for admission or to carry out your project

One critical requirement that trips up many applicants: You cannot receive funding simultaneously from Erasmus+ or PROMOS for the same stay. If you’re already getting Erasmus money, you’re not eligible for HAW.International for that same period.

See Also: Wiko Fellowship Scholarship 2027 in Germany

Required Documents for HAW.International Application

The DAAD HAW.International Scholarship application is entirely online through the DAAD portal. Here’s every document you need to upload:

1. Tabular CV — Keep it clean, chronological, and no longer than 2 pages
2. Detailed study plan (for study stays) OR research plan (for thesis stays) — maximum 5 pages
3. Motivation letter — explains your academic and personal reasons for the planned stay
4. University entrance qualification certificate (e.g., Abitur or equivalent) — with individual grades
5. Transcript of Records — all courses completed with ECTS credits and grades. For Master’s students: also include Bachelor’s degree certificate
6. Language certificate — not older than 3 years at the time of application. Use the DAAD language certificate form or an accepted test
7. Recommendation letter — from a professor or PhD-holding academic staff member. For thesis stays, it must be from your thesis supervisor

Pro tip: Don’t wait until the last week to gather these. The recommendation letter alone can take 2–3 weeks to get signed. Start now.

How to Apply for DAAD HAW.International Scholarship — Step by Step

Here’s exactly how to submit your DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027-28 application. Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Go to the DAAD scholarship database at www.daad.de/go/stipd57478124

Step 2: Click “Apply now” or “Zur Bewerbung” — this takes you to the DAAD application portal

Step 3: Register for a DAAD portal account if you don’t already have one. Use the same email you check regularly — all communications go here.

Step 4: Log in and select “HAW.International: Semesteraufenthalte und Abschlussarbeiten für Studierende” from your available programs

Step 5: Complete the online application form. Every field matters — don’t leave anything blank. The form will ask about your study plans, host institution, and funding period.

Step 6: Upload all required documents in the “Anlagen” (attachments) section. Make sure each file is clearly named (e.g., “CV_YourName.pdf”, “Motivation_YourName.pdf”).

Step 7: For the recommendation letter: the portal generates a cover sheet that your referee must sign along with their free-text recommendation. Send them the cover sheet + instructions well in advance.

Step 8: Review everything — twice. Check that your language certificate is less than 3 years old.

Step 9: Submit before August 31, 2026 for stays between February and July 2027. (The February 27, 2026 deadline for August 2026–January 2027 stays has already passed.)

Step 10: Wait. Selection results for the August deadline are announced in January 2027.

Common mistake: Students try to access the portal through a browser bookmark. Don’t. Always enter through the program’s official page — the portal link is session-specific.

How to Write a Winning SOP for HAW.International

Your motivation letter (SOP) is arguably the most important part of your DAAD HAW.International Scholarship application. The selection committee reads it carefully — it’s not a formality.

Here’s the structure that works:

Opening (1 paragraph): Start with the specific research or academic problem you want to address abroad, not a generic intro about your country or how much you love Germany. Example:

“My current thesis examines how circular economy models can reduce construction waste in urban environments. To complete this research, I need access to the waste management facilities at the Technical University of Denmark, which have no equivalent in Germany.”

Body (2–3 paragraphs): Explain:

• Why this specific host institution? (Be specific — name professors, labs, facilities)
• How does this stay fit your academic trajectory?
• What will you bring back to your German HAW?

Closing (1 paragraph): Connect your stay to your long-term career goals. Keep it forward-looking.

Word count: The DAAD doesn’t specify a strict limit for the motivation letter, but aim for 1–2 pages (approximately 400–800 words). Your study/research plan is a separate document (max 5 pages).

What the committee wants to see:

1. Clear justification for going abroad — not just “I want to travel”
2. Plausibility — can you actually do what you’re proposing?
3. Preparation — have you already made contact with the host?
4. Integration — how does this fit your academic journey?
5. Career relevance — what’s the professional payoff?

What to avoid:

• Generic statements like “Germany is a great country for engineering”
• Cutting and pasting from your university’s website
• Vague plans (“I want to learn about new cultures”)
• Exaggerating your language skills — they’ll check

HAW.International Selection Criteria — What They Really Look For

The DAAD HAW.International Scholarship selection process happens in two stages:

Stage 1: Pre-screening — Your academic performance is reviewed, considering your individual circumstances. This is a filter — weak transcripts get eliminated here.

Stage 2: Comprehensive evaluation — Subject-specific selection committees (made up of university professors) review the full applications.

Here’s what they actually score you on:

Common misconception: You need a 1.0 GPA (German scale) to win. Not true. The DAAD explicitly says they consider “individual, special life circumstances”. A 2.5 with a compelling project and strong recommendation can beat a 1.3 with a generic application.

DAAD Doctoral Scholarship 2026 in Germany

HAW.International vs. Erasmus+ vs. PROMOS — Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re a HAW student, you might have multiple funding options. Here’s how they compare:

Can you apply to multiple? Yes — but you cannot receive funding from two programs for the same stay. Apply to all, and if you get multiple offers, choose the one that gives you the most flexibility and funding.

Country-Specific Advice for HAW.International Applicants

For Pakistani and Indian Students

• Transcripts: Make sure your transcript includes ECTS credits or a conversion explanation. German committees don’t always understand percentage-based grading.
• Language certificate: If your degree was taught in English, you might still need an official test (IELTS/TOEFL) unless your host university waives it. Check with your host institution first.
• Recommendation letter: In South Asian academic culture, recommendation letters tend to be brief and generic. Ask your professor to write a detailed letter — the DAAD committee reads these carefully.

For Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Egyptian Students

• University entrance qualification: If you studied in a non-European system, your qualification might need additional verification. Start this process early.
• Visa planning: Even if you win the scholarship, you’ll need a visa for your host country. Factor in 4–8 weeks for visa processing.
• English proficiency: Most HAW.International stays require English. If your host country doesn’t speak English as a first language, you may need additional language preparation — and you can apply for a DAAD language course subsidy to help.

For Bangladeshi, Indonesian, and Philippine Students

• Contact the host institution early: Establishing contact with a professor or department in your host country is highly recommended — and it shows in your application.
• Budget carefully: The stipend covers basic living costs, but unexpected expenses (visa fees, health insurance deductibles, travel within the host country) are on you. Plan ahead.

PHASE 5 — FAQ SECTION

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students apply for the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship?

Yes. Students without German citizenship can apply as long as they are enrolled at a German HAW. Nationality is not a barrier.

What is the deadline for DAAD HAW.International Scholarship 2027-28?

August 31, 2026 is the deadline for stays between February and July 2027. The February 27, 2026 deadline has already passed.

How much is the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship monthly stipend?

It varies by host country — use the DAAD “Stipendienrechner” calculator. A US-based stay pays approximately €1,050 per month.

Can I apply for HAW.International and Erasmus+ at the same time?

Yes, you can apply to both. But you cannot receive funding from both for the same stay. If you get both, choose one.

What documents do I need for HAW.International application?

CV, study/research plan (max 5 pages), motivation letter, transcript of records, language certificate (≤3 years old), and a recommendation letter from a professor.

Do I need to speak German to apply?

No. The language requirement depends on your host institution. If your host teaches in English, English proficiency is sufficient.

How competitive is the DAAD HAW.International Scholarship?

It’s less competitive than general DAAD scholarships because it’s limited to HAW students. However, funding is limited — submit a strong application with a well-developed project plan.

When will I know if I got the scholarship?

For the August 31 deadline, selection results are announced in January 2027.