DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence 2026 in Germany — Fully Funded

The DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence 2026 is open to outstanding young scientists and academics from Aceh, Indonesia, though the application deadline has not yet been officially announced.

If you are from Aceh and ready to pursue a master’s or PhD degree at a German university or research institution, this scholarship covers your monthly living costs, health insurance, travel, tuition support, research allowances, and German language preparation — making it one of the most complete postgraduate funding packages available to Acehnese students. Selection is handled by a bi-national committee of academic experts, and your research proposal carries as much weight as your academic record.

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DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence Summary

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About the DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence

The German Academic Exchange Service — DAAD — is the world’s largest funding organisation for international academic exchange. It supports thousands of students and researchers across more than 150 countries each year through a wide range of scholarship programmes, research grants, and academic partnerships.

DAAD established the DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence in direct response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which devastated Indonesia’s Aceh province and caused catastrophic loss of life, infrastructure, and institutional capacity. The scholarship reflects Germany’s long-term commitment to rebuilding that capacity — not through short-term aid, but through sustained investment in Acehnese human capital at the highest academic level.

The programme focuses on two goals: supporting individual academic advancement for talented young Acehnese scholars, and building long-term research and development capacity in the region through international education and collaboration with German academic institutions.

Selected candidates may pursue a master’s degree programme for up to two years, or a doctoral degree programme for up to 3.5 years — extendable to four years in exceptional cases. Applications are reviewed by a bi-national selection committee made up of specialist scientists and academic experts from both Germany and Indonesia. Academic merit and the quality of the proposed research project are the two primary selection criteria.

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What the DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence Covers

Each scholarship provides the following, with amounts varying by degree level:

For Master’s students:

• Monthly stipend of €850 for the duration of studies
• Annual book allowance of €300
• Initial settlement allowance of €375 upon arrival in Germany
• Tuition support of up to €1,500 per semester where applicable

For PhD candidates:

• Monthly stipend of €1,000 for the duration of studies
• Annual book allowance of €400
• Initial settlement allowance of €500 upon arrival in Germany
• Tuition support of up to €1,500 per semester where applicable

For both degree levels:

• Full German language preparation support before and during studies
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage for the full scholarship period
• Travel allowance of €600 for outward and return journeys between Indonesia and Germany
• One-time study and research allowance of €1,500

The programme pays the monthly stipend directly to you to help cover your basic living expenses in Germany. It also provides one-time settlement, research, and travel allowances to ease the financial burden of relocating and establishing your academic life in a new country.

Duration of the DAAD-ACEH Scholarship

• Master’s Degree: Up to 2 years
• Doctoral Degree: Up to 3.5 years, extendable to 4 years in exceptional cases where the research project requires additional time

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Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for this scholarship, you must meet all of the following:

• You must be an outstandingly qualified young scientist or academic from the province of Aceh, Indonesia — this scholarship is geographic, not national. Indonesians from outside Aceh are not eligible.
• You must be applying for a master’s or PhD degree programme at a state-recognised German university or non-university research institution
• You must demonstrate strong academic performance, as the bi-national selection committee will assess your transcript and overall academic record.
• You must submit a convincing and well-structured research proposal. The selection committee evaluates the proposal based on its quality, clarity, and feasibility rather than its ambition alone.
• You must coordinate your proposed research project with a German academic host institution before applying — an informal agreement or letter of contact with a potential supervisor at a German institution strengthens your application considerably
• You must meet the specific admission requirements of the German university or research institution you are applying to

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Required Documents

Prepare the following before you submit your application:

• Completed scholarship application form — available through the official DAAD application portal or the designated application channel in Aceh
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates — for all completed degrees. Ensure these are certified copies. If your documents are in Indonesian, check whether DAAD requires certified German or English translations.
• Research proposal or study plan — this is one of the most important documents in your application. Your proposal must clearly state your research question, explain the methodology, demonstrate familiarity with the existing literature, and show the relevance of the research to development in Aceh. A vague or underdeveloped proposal will not be competitive regardless of your academic record.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) — include academic qualifications, research experience, publications if any, conference participation, and any professional or community experience relevant to your proposed area of study
• You must provide proof of English or German language proficiency by submitting an official language certificate. Review the language requirements of your chosen German host institution carefully, as some master’s programmes require German proficiency while others accept English.
• Recommendation letters — typically two letters from academic supervisors or senior researchers who can speak to your research capacity and academic potential
• Letter of admission or proof of contact with a German host institution — you do not necessarily need a formal admission letter at the application stage, but documented contact with a potential supervisor at a German university or research institution significantly strengthens your proposal
• Copy of valid passport or identification document
• Any additional supporting documents required by DAAD or your chosen host institution — check the official DAAD portal for the current complete list

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How to Apply

1. Confirm your eligibility. You must be from the province of Aceh and meet the academic requirements for postgraduate study at a German institution. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the DAAD office or the designated application coordinator in Aceh directly.
2. Identify your research area and develop your proposal. Your research proposal is the centrepiece of your application. Start early. Your topic should be clearly focused, grounded in existing literature, and relevant to development challenges in Aceh or Indonesia. Broad or unfocused proposals are the most common reason for rejection.
3. Identify a German host institution and establish contact with a potential supervisor. Search for German universities or research institutions that have expertise in your proposed area. Email potential supervisors with a concise summary of your research interest. A letter or email confirming that a German academic is willing to supervise or host you will materially strengthen your application.
4. Apply for admission to your chosen German university or research institution if formal admission is required at the application stage. Check the specific requirements of your host institution, as processes vary.
5. Prepare all required documents — transcripts, degree certificates, CV, research proposal, language certificates, recommendation letters, passport copy, and any additional documents specified by DAAD.
6. Submit your scholarship application through the designated application channel in Aceh. The DAAD-ACEH scholarship has a specific submission process coordinated through Aceh — do not submit directly through the general DAAD portal without confirming the correct channel first.
7. Ensure all documents are complete and submitted before the announced deadline. The deadline for the 2026 round has not yet been published. Monitor the official DAAD website at daad.de and the designated Acehnese application channel regularly for the announcement.

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Application Deadline

The deadline for the DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence 2026 has not yet been officially announced. Deadlines for this programme vary by cycle. Check the official DAAD portal at daad.de and the designated application coordinator in Aceh for the confirmed deadline before you begin your application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence fully funded?

Yes. The scholarship covers monthly living stipends, tuition support of up to €1,500 per semester, a travel allowance of €600, health and accident insurance, a one-time research allowance of €1,500, annual book allowances, and a settlement allowance upon arrival. It is one of the most complete postgraduate funding packages available for Acehnese students pursuing degrees in Germany.

Who exactly is eligible for the DAAD-ACEH Scholarship?

The scholarship is specifically for young scientists and academics from the province of Aceh, Indonesia. The scholarship does not accept applications from all Indonesian nationals. Instead, it limits eligibility to candidates connected to the Aceh region. Confirm that you meet this requirement by checking the official DAAD eligibility criteria before you apply.

Do I need to speak German to apply?

Not necessarily. Some master’s programmes at German universities are taught in English, and DAAD provides German language preparation support to scholarship recipients before they begin their studies. However, check the language requirements of your specific chosen programme, as some fields and institutions require German proficiency from the outset.

How important is the research proposal?

It is one of the two primary selection criteria, alongside academic merit. The bi-national selection committee evaluates the quality and feasibility of your proposed research project directly. A strong academic record with a weak or underdeveloped proposal is unlikely to result in an award. Invest significant time in developing your proposal before you apply.

Do I need a formal admission letter from a German university before applying?

Not always — but documented contact with a German academic host institution is required and strengthens your application. Check the current DAAD guidelines for the specific documentation required at the application stage for the 2026 cycle.

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Disclaimer: All scholarship details, award values, eligibility criteria, and programme information were verified from the official DAAD website as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. The application deadline for this scholarship had not been officially published at the time of writing. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official DAAD source before submitting your application.

Official Application Portal