🌍 DAAD Bi-national PhD Scholarship 2026 — Sandwich & Cotutelle | Flexible 7-24 Month Stays | €1,400 Monthly | Apply by 31 August 2026.
Calculating time remaining...
Application deadline: 31 August 2026
Introduction
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, has officially opened applications for its prestigious Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees programme. This uniquely flexible scholarship allows doctoral candidates to split their research between their home university and a state-recognized institution in Germany. It offers two distinct pathways: the "sandwich model" (bi-national supervision) and the "Cotutelle" model (joint degree awarding). This is a transformative opportunity for Pakistani researchers to gain international experience while completing their PhD.
Interested candidates must apply exclusively online through the official DAAD portal. The application window is currently open, and all documents must be submitted by the strict deadline of 31 August 2026. An independent selection committee will evaluate applications based on academic excellence, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, and the candidate's overall potential. Funding is expected to begin in May 2027 at the earliest.
Quick Overview
| Organization | Program | Host Countries | Funding Level | Eligibility | Application Mode | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD | Bi-national / Cotutelle PhD | Home Country & Germany | €1,400/month (in Germany) | Master's Degree | Online (DAAD Portal) | 31 August 2026 |
About the DAAD
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world's largest funding organization for the international exchange of students and researchers. Representing German higher education institutions, the DAAD promotes academic cooperation worldwide and provides scholarships for international students and researchers at all stages of their careers. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the DAAD is a highly respected and competitive funding body that has supported thousands of scholars globally.
Two Pathways to a Bi-national Doctorate
This programme offers two distinct models to complete your doctorate with both a home university and a German institution.
Option A: Sandwich Model (Bi-national Supervision)
In this model, you start your doctoral degree in your home country, make research trips to Germany, and complete your doctorate back home. Your home university awards the final degree, while you are supervised by both your home and German academic advisers.
- Start: Home country.
- Research: Trips to Germany.
- Completion: Home country.
- Degree awarded by: Home university.
Option B: Cotutelle Model (Joint Degree)
In this model, you carry out your doctorate based on an individual cooperation agreement between your home university and the German university. After successful completion, both universities jointly award the doctoral degree.
- Requirement: An individual cooperation contract (Cotutelle contract).
- Degree awarded by: Both home and German university jointly.
Funding Value & Benefits
This DAAD scholarship is uniquely tailored to support international research collaboration.
- Monthly Stipend: A generous tax-free monthly payment of €1,400 (Euros) during your stays in Germany. (No stipend is paid for stays at your home university).
- Insurance: Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover.
- Travel Allowances: Up to three outward and return journeys are covered (upon application), unless covered by another source.
- Research Allowance: A one-time research allowance of €460 to cover project-related expenses.
- Supervisor Travel Expenses: Travel and accommodation for your supervising university teachers for one trip of up to 10 days—either to Germany for progress monitoring, or to your home university for final examinations.
- Additional Post-Start Benefits: For uninterrupted stays of over 6 months in Germany, you may apply for rent subsidies and family allowances.
- Language Support: DAAD offers payment for online language courses, potential pre-stay language courses (2-6 months), allowances for German courses during the grant, and reimbursement for TestDaF or DSH exam fees.
Funding Duration & Detailed Eligibility
Candidates must strictly meet the eligibility criteria set by the DAAD selection committee.
Funding Duration
- Funding is provided for between 7 and a maximum of 24 months.
- Grants can be used flexibly for several shorter stays during your doctoral project.
- If you plan to visit other countries for data collection, such visits can be funded if they are connected to your stay in Germany and do not exceed one quarter of your total funding period.
- Funding must begin in 2027 (earliest start in May).
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Qualifications: You must possess a Master's degree or Diplom (or an exceptional Bachelor's degree) by the start of the funding period. For the Cotutelle model, you must be admitted to a doctoral programme at the start of the funding period.
- Recent Graduate Requirement: Your most recent university degree should have been obtained no more than six years before the application deadline.
- Current Doctorate Status: If you have already started your doctorate, the start date must not be longer than 3 years ago at the time of application.
- Residency Restriction: You cannot apply if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
- English Language Proficiency: If your doctorate is to be completed in English, a valid test score not older than 2 years is required (TOEFL iBT min. 79, IELTS min. 6.5, onSET min. B2, or PTE Academic min. 75). TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Indicator are accepted.
- Medical Exceptions: For applicants from human medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry, other regulations apply (please refer to the DAAD website).
Required Application Documents
After registering on the DAAD portal, applicants must upload the following documents in PDF format. National language documents must include a German or English translation.
- Full Curriculum Vitae (CV): In tabular form, max. 3 pages.
- List of Publications: Max. 10 pages (if applicable).
- Letter of Motivation: 1-2 pages describing academic and personal reasons for the project.
- Research Proposal: An extensive, detailed description of the research project discussed with the German supervisor (max. 10 pages).
- Schedule: A timeline for the planned research work for the entire funding period.
- Ethics Declaration: A declaration from the German supervisor on safety-relevant and ethical aspects.
- University Degree Certificates: Bachelor's and Master's degrees with final grades. Provisional documents are accepted if final ones are pending.
- Transcripts of Records: Detailed grade reports for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
- Home University Admission: Proof of admission/enrolment for doctoral studies at your home university.
- Supervisor Confirmations:
- Option A (Sandwich): Written confirmation signed by both home and German academic advisers.
- Option B (Cotutelle): Individual cooperation contract (Cotutelle contract), or a confirmation from the German adviser if the contract is pending.
- Letter of Recommendation: One recent, supporting letter from a university teacher (on the DAAD form).
- Proof of English Language: Valid TOEFL, IELTS, onSET, or PTE Academic score (max 2 years old).
- Valid Identification: Passport, ID card, or driver's license with photo and date of birth.
- Optional: Certificates of employment, practical training, or voluntary commitment.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The application process is entirely digital via the DAAD portal. Access to the portal opens at least 6 weeks before the deadline.
- Visit the DAAD Portal: Navigate to the official DAAD link provided at the bottom of this post.
- Register for an Account: Create a new user profile on the DAAD portal to begin your application.
- Complete the Online Form: Fill out the application form with your personal, academic, and research details.
- Request the Recommendation Form: Generate the writable PDF recommendation form in the portal and send it to your university teacher.
- Prepare and Upload Documents: Scan all required documents (CV, proposal, transcripts, etc.), save them in PDF format, and upload them to the portal in the designated sections.
- Upload the Recommendation Letter: Once your referee returns the completed form, upload it to the portal under "Letter of Recommendation".
- Review and Submit: Double-check all uploaded documents and entered details for accuracy. Submit the application before the portal closes at 24:00 hrs (CET/CEST) on 31 August 2026.
Selection Committee & Criteria
Applications are reviewed by an independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists. The committee evaluates candidates based on three pillars:
- 1. Qualification: Academic achievements (grade point average), academic progress, knowledge of the instruction/working language, and scholarly achievements after graduation (e.g., publications).
- 2. Quality of Research Project: Originality, topicality, and relevance of the proposal; feasibility and consistency of the study plan.
- 3. Potential of Applicant: Career prospects, motivation (academic and personal reasons for visiting Germany), and non-study-related activities (civic engagement).
Selection results are typically communicated in February 2027.
Important Dates
Keep track of the following critical dates to ensure you do not miss the application window.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Period Opens | 01 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | 31 August 2026 |
| Selection Results Announced | February 2027 |
| Earliest Start of Funding | May 2027 |
Who Should Apply
This bi-national DAAD PhD scholarship is specifically targeted at the following candidates.
- Doctoral students seeking international supervision: Candidates who wish to pursue a PhD at their home university while benefiting from extended research stays and co-supervision in Germany.
- Applicants for the Cotutelle model: Researchers who have already secured—or are in the process of securing—a formal cooperation agreement between their home university and a German institution.
- Early-career academics: Recent Master's graduates (within 6 years) with a strong research proposal and a dedicated German supervisor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your DAAD application is not rejected.
- Not securing a confirmed German host: For both the Sandwich and Cotutelle models, you must have a confirmed German academic supervisor who provides a formal confirmation letter.
- Submitting a Cotutelle application without the contract: For Option B, you must either provide the finalized Cotutelle contract or, at minimum, a confirmation from your German supervisor that the contract is being processed.
- Providing an outdated English language certificate: The DAAD requires English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE) that are not older than 2 years at the application deadline.
Applicant Safety and Security Guidance
When applying to DAAD, please follow these safety guidelines to protect yourself from fraudulent activities.
- Use only the official DAAD portal: All applications and document uploads must be done through the official DAAD website. Do not share personal data with third-party agents.
- No application fee required: The DAAD does not charge any application fees. If any agency asks for money to apply for a DAAD grant, it is a scam.
- Verify official contact channels: Only use the official DAAD Information Centre in Islamabad (info@daad.pk) for local guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for the DAAD Bi-national PhD Scholarship?
The strict deadline for submitting your online application to the DAAD portal is 31 August 2026.
What is the difference between the Sandwich and Cotutelle models?
In the Sandwich model, you start and finish your PhD at your home university with research trips to Germany. In the Cotutelle model, a formal cooperation agreement leads to both universities jointly awarding the final degree.
How long does the DAAD Bi-national PhD grant last?
Funding is provided for a flexible duration of 7 to a maximum of 24 months, which can be split across multiple stays in Germany.
What is the monthly scholarship amount?
The DAAD provides a monthly stipend of €1,400 during stays in Germany. Please note that no stipend is paid during stays at your home university.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Candidates with a Master's degree (or exceptional Bachelor's) who will be starting or are already enrolled in a doctoral programme. Your most recent degree must be less than 6 years old, and your PhD start must be less than 3 years ago.
Can I apply if I have been living in Germany?
Your application cannot be considered if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
What is the required English language score?
If your research is in English, you need TOEFL iBT min 79, IELTS min 6.5, onSET min B2, or PTE Academic min 75. Scores must be less than 2 years old.
Do I need a supervisor in Germany to apply?
Yes. Both models require a confirmed German academic adviser who provides a formal confirmation letter and agrees to your research project.
What documents are required for the Cotutelle model?
For the Cotutelle model, you must provide an individual cooperation contract (Cotutelle contract) between your home and German university, or a supervisor confirmation if the contract is pending.
How can I contact the DAAD office in Pakistan?
You can contact the DAAD Information Centre Islamabad at House No. 5 A, Street No. 23, Sector F-8/2, Islamabad. Tel: +92 (51) /2251-118. Email: info@daad.pk.
Final Guidance
This bi-national DAAD PhD scholarship offers a unique, flexible pathway to complete your doctorate with joint international supervision. Whether you choose the Sandwich model or the prestigious Cotutelle model, this programme provides world-class funding and an incredible academic network in Germany.
Begin preparing your research proposal immediately. Contact potential German supervisors, gather the required transcripts and language test scores, and carefully prepare your application for the Cotutelle contract or joint supervision agreement. Submit your application well before the 31 August 2026 deadline. Good luck to all aspiring doctoral researchers!
🌍 DAAD Bi-national Doctoral Degrees 2026 | Sandwich & Cotutelle Models | Apply by 31 August 2026.
📝 Apply via DAAD Portal 🌐 Visit DAAD Pakistan
