The DAAD EPOS Scholarship is one of the most popular scholarships in Germany for students from developing countries who want to study in Germany. If you’ve ever dreamed about studying for a master’s degree or even a PhD in Germany, this program is one of the best ways to make it happen. But a lot of people get confused about how to actually apply, what documents they need, and the steps they should take to get everything right. Let me explain this to you like you’ve never applied for a scholarship before, step by step, in a simple and clear way.
How to Apply DAAD Epos Scholarship (Step by Step)
First, let’s understand what the DAAD EPOS Scholarship really is. DAAD stands for the German Academic Exchange Service, which is an organization that supports international students and researchers who want to study in Germany. The EPOS part means “Development-Related Postgraduate Courses.” This program is designed for professionals from developing countries who have some work experience and want to continue their education to help develop their home countries. Basically, Germany funds these scholarships to train people who can later go back and make positive changes in their countries, especially in sectors like economics, engineering, health, environment, and education.
Now that you know what it is, let’s talk about how you can apply for it. The process might look long at first, but it’s very doable if you follow each step carefully. The first step is to find the right course. Unlike some other scholarships, you don’t just apply for the scholarship directly—you apply for a specific master’s program or PhD program at a German university that participates in the DAAD EPOS scheme. Not all universities in Germany are part of this program, so you have to go to the official DAAD website and look for the list of “Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS).” On that page, you’ll see a list of all eligible programs, their deadlines, duration, and the link to the university’s page.
Now visit this page = https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?status=&origin=&subjectGrps=&daad=&intention=&q=epos&page=1&detail=50076777
i specifically searched for you, Graduate Programs for country NIGERIA
Goto list of programmes and download the pdf, or you can download here =
When you look at the list, you’ll notice that each program has its own requirements and application deadline. Some programs open as early as August, while others might close around October or November. So it’s very important to check each course carefully to make sure you apply on time. Choose the one that matches your background and professional goals. For example, if you studied public health or nursing, you can apply for a health-related program. If your background is economics, management, or agriculture, you can apply for courses related to development, management, or environmental sciences.
Now inside the PDF list click on the course that you want and check if the application is not closed
Now from the List I have chosen the course = LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION
THE Deadline is on 1st dec 2025.
Now when you click on the course name it will take you to the school website, after reading what is there, you might still be confused, now this is where it gets easier, you will see the school contact email: lenc-epos-application @uni-greifswald .de
Now what you do is to send them an email, now use this email format
SUBJECT: LENC application
BODY: Hello, I will like to apply for LENC, i’m a little confused about the apllication procedure, please send me all the neccesary link guide and where do I apply to.
you will get a response withi 48hrs on what to do next
The second step is to check the eligibility requirements. DAAD EPOS scholarships are not for everyone. They are meant for people from developing countries, so you must be a citizen of one of those countries listed on the DAAD website. You also need to have at least two years of professional work experience after your bachelor’s degree. This is a key point—DAAD wants people who already have real-world experience and are returning to school to upgrade their knowledge, not those who just finished school with no experience. Your work experience should ideally be related to your field of study. For example, if you want to study renewable energy, you should be working in an energy-related field.
Another thing is your academic record. You need to have a bachelor’s degree that is equivalent to a German bachelor’s, and your grades should be above average. DAAD doesn’t set a specific grade cutoff, but most successful applicants have good grades, usually equivalent to a second-class upper or higher. You also need to show that you are committed to returning to your home country after your studies. The scholarship is not designed for people who plan to migrate to Germany permanently; instead, it’s for people who will use their skills to help develop their countries.
Now from the response you will get from the mail, they will send you link about the course, application required document and course brochure
Once you confirm you’re eligible, the third step is to prepare your application documents. This is where many people make mistakes, so you should take your time. Most DAAD EPOS programs require the following documents:
- A DAAD application form (you can download it from the DAAD website and fill it in digitally)
- A curriculum vitae (CV) in the Europass format. The Europass CV is the standard European style of writing CVs, and you can create one easily on the Europass website.
- A letter of motivation, which is basically an essay explaining why you want the scholarship, why you chose that specific course, and how it will help your career and your country. You must be honest and specific here—DAAD values applicants who show a strong link between their studies and development goals.
- Academic certificates and transcripts from your previous studies.
- Proof of work experience such as employment certificates or letters from employers that clearly show your role and the period you worked there.
- Language proficiency test results. Most programs require English, so you’ll need a TOEFL or IELTS certificate, but some programs might also require German language skills.
- If you are from an English speaking country and your Degree is English taught, there is no need for English Proficiency test, just omit that when sending your documents
Note that most of your document need to my printed and stamped/signed, them scanned, Please make sure you print and sign any required form that signature is needed
If you are applying to more than one course (you can apply for up to three), you need to list them in order of priority on your DAAD form. You don’t need to submit multiple DAAD forms—just one is enough for all the courses you apply for.
The fourth step is to submit your application. This part can be tricky because it’s not the same for every university. For DAAD EPOS, you don’t send your application to DAAD directly; you send it to the university offering the program. Each university has its own application method—some want you to apply online, while others want you to send the documents by post or email. Make sure you read the university’s instructions carefully. Submitting to the wrong address or missing a required document can easily disqualify you.
When submitting, make sure your documents are clear, correctly named, and in PDF format if it’s an online application. Always include your motivation letter, CV, and DAAD form at the top of your file. Also, double-check that your name matches across all documents and that your contact details are correct. If you’re applying by post, it’s a good idea to send your application early enough so it arrives before the deadline.
After you’ve submitted your application, the fifth step is waiting for the university’s selection process. Each program reviews applications independently, and they shortlist candidates before sending the names to DAAD. If the university likes your profile, they may invite you for an interview—sometimes online, sometimes in person if you’re nearby. The interview usually focuses on your motivation, your work experience, and how you plan to use your studies to make an impact back home. So, prepare to talk about your long-term goals and how the scholarship fits into them.
Once the university has finished its selection, it forwards the shortlisted candidates to DAAD for final approval. This part can take several months, so patience is important. If you’re selected, you’ll get an official offer letter from DAAD, usually by around March or April, depending on the program’s timeline.
The sixth step is accepting the scholarship and preparing to go to Germany. If you’re awarded the DAAD EPOS scholarship, you’ll receive funding that covers your full tuition, monthly living allowance (usually around €934 per month for master’s students), health insurance, travel costs, and sometimes rent support. In addition, DAAD sometimes offers a preparatory German language course before your studies start. That means even if your program is in English, they might still teach you some basic German to help you settle in.
After you accept the offer, DAAD and your university will guide you through the visa process. You’ll need to apply for a German student visa at the German embassy in your country, and the documents from DAAD will make this process easier since the scholarship proves your financial support. Make sure you have a valid passport, and start the visa process early because embassies can sometimes take weeks or months to give an appointment.
Once you arrive in Germany, the university and DAAD will help you with orientation, housing, and settling in. You’ll meet other international students from different countries who are also part of the DAAD program. During your studies, DAAD expects you to focus on your program and maintain good grades. If you fail courses or neglect your studies, your funding might be affected, so it’s important to stay serious about your academics.
The final step is completing your studies and returning home. When you finish your degree, DAAD encourages you to go back to your home country and apply what you’ve learned. Many alumni of the DAAD EPOS scholarship go on to become leaders in government, non-profits, education, or business sectors. The whole idea is to make sure that the knowledge you gain in Germany benefits your country’s development.
So, to summarize everything, applying for the DAAD EPOS scholarship is a process that involves several clear steps. You start by finding an eligible course from the DAAD website, check your eligibility, prepare all your required documents, and then send your application directly to the university offering the program. After that, you wait for the selection process, and if you are chosen, you get full funding to study in Germany. The key things that DAAD looks for are good academic records, relevant work experience, a clear motivation to help your country’s development, and strong communication skills.
It’s also a good idea to start preparing early—like six months to a year before the deadline. That gives you time to gather your documents, take an English test if needed, and get recommendation letters from your employer or university. You can also read success stories of previous DAAD scholars online to understand how they wrote their motivation letters and what made their applications strong.
The DAAD EPOS scholarship is very competitive, but thousands of people from around the world have successfully gotten it by being well-prepared and showing genuine motivation. If you take the process seriously, research your course, and submit complete, well-written documents, you stand a good chance. It’s one of the best opportunities for students from developing countries to study in Germany for free, gain international exposure, and build a career that makes a difference back home.