DAAD Re-Invitation Scholarship Program 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded

Quick summary: The DAAD Re-Invitation Scholarship Program lets former DAAD scholarship or research grant holders return to Germany for 1 - 3 months of funded research or professional work. It covers a monthly stipend of €2,000 - €2,150, travel costs, and access to Germany's top research institutions. Applications close 31 August 2026.

What Is the DAAD Re-Invitation Scholarship Program?

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - Germany's national agency for academic exchange - runs the Re-Invitation Scholarship Program specifically for its own alumni network: researchers, lecturers, and academics who previously held a DAAD-funded scholarship or research grant. Rather than opening the door to new applicants, this program is designed to reconnect DAAD with people it has already invested in, giving them a second, shorter stay in Germany to deepen collaborations they built the first time around.

Funding comes from the German Federal Foreign Office, and the program runs for one to three months, with applicants specifying their preferred duration when they apply.

Beyond the funding itself, the program has a clear strategic purpose: it strengthens DAAD's global academic alumni network, keeping former scholars connected to German institutions, colleagues, and research infrastructure long after their original scholarship ended. For many academics, this kind of returning fellowship is what keeps a research collaboration alive rather than fading out after a single funded stay.

Who Can Apply for DAAD Re-Invitation Scholarship Program?

The programme is open to a specific group of past DAAD grant holders working in academic or professional roles, including:

1. Professors
2. Assistant professors
3. Lecturers
4. Assistant teachers / teaching assistants

Funded activity can take place not only at universities and research institutes, but also at organisations in administration, business, culture, or media - so the program isn't limited to pure academic research; it also supports professional working stays tied to your field.

Read - List of Germany Scholarships for Undergraduate, Masters & PhD

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Key Facts at a Glance

 

Benefits of the DAAD Re-Invitation Scholarship in Germany

1. Travel allowance calculated according to the applicant's country of origin
2. Monthly stipend of €2,000 for assistant teachers, assistant professors, and lecturers
3. Monthly stipend of €2,150 for professors
4. Flexible duration - candidates choose their own research period within the 1-3 month window
5. Access to leading German research institutions, with the freedom to work in academic, administrative, business, cultural, or media settings
6. A chance to formally renew and strengthen a professional network built during your original DAAD-funded stay

Read - Chevening Scholarship 2027 in UK [Fully Funded Scholarships]

Eligibility Criteria for Germany DAAD Re-Invitation

To qualify for the DAAD Re-Invitation Program 2027, applicants must meet all of the following:

1. Have previously held a DAAD research grant or study scholarship, funded for more than six months either directly by the Federal Foreign Office or through a programme co-financed with Federal Foreign Office funds.
2. East German scholarship alumni must have studied in Germany for at least one year to qualify.
3. Must not have lived in Germany for at least three years prior to applying - this programme is intended for returning alumni, not those with a recent or ongoing presence in the country.
4. Must have a confirmed cooperation partner in Germany and coordinate the proposed research or working project with them in advance.

Note: Because eligibility hinges on the length and funding source of your original DAAD grant, it's worth checking your original award letter or DAAD records before applying - a grant funded for under six months, or one not tied to Federal Foreign Office funding, will not qualify.

Required Documents for Germany DAAD Re-Invitation (Scholarship) Program

Prepare these in advance to avoid last-minute issues:

1. Completed online application form
2. Full Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. List of academic publications, if applicable
4. Comprehensive statement describing your proposed research or working project
5. Time schedule and itinerary, including details of your host institution(s) or cooperation partner(s) in Germany
6. Confirmation letter from your academic host in Germany
7. Valid ID document (passport, national ID card, driving licence, or student ID card)
8. Passport
9. Proof of your original DAAD grant, confirming it was funded for more than six months

How to Apply Scholarship under DAAD Re-Invitation Program?

Applying involves both an online submission and a postal follow-up - don't skip the second step, as it's a required part of the process.

1. Apply through the DAAD Online Application Portal.
2. Complete all required fields, including personal details, academic background, and prior DAAD grant information.
3. Upload all required documents in the designated sections of the portal (see checklist below).
4. Answer all supplementary questions in the form accurately and completely.
5. Submit your online application.
6. Print and post one copy of the application summary - generated automatically after online submission - to the designated application address. Applications are not considered complete without this postal copy.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit your application is 31 August 2026. Given the postal-copy requirement, applicants should aim to complete the online submission well ahead of the deadline to leave time for the physical copy to reach DAAD by post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can new applicants who never held a DAAD scholarship apply?

No. This programme is exclusively for DAAD alumni - those who previously received a qualifying DAAD research grant or study scholarship.

Can I choose how long my funded stay lasts?

Yes, within the programme's 1-3 month range, you specify your preferred duration in your application.

Does the funding cover fields outside academia?

Yes. While many participants continue academic research, the programme also funds working stays in administration, business, culture, and media institutions in Germany.

Is a cooperation partner in Germany mandatory?

Yes - you must coordinate your proposed project with a confirmed partner or host institution in Germany before applying.

How much money will I receive each month?

It depends on your position: €2,000 per month for assistant teachers, assistant professors, and lecturers, and €2,150 per month for professors. Travel costs are covered separately, based on your country of origin.

Is travel to Germany covered, or only the monthly stipend?

Both. In addition to the monthly stipend, DAAD provides a travel allowance calculated according to where you're travelling from.

What happens if my original DAAD grant was shorter than six months?

You would not be eligible. The programme requires that your original DAAD research grant or study scholarship was funded for more than six months by, or in cooperation with, the Federal Foreign Office.

I currently live in Germany - can I still apply?

No. Applicants must not have lived in Germany for at least three years before applying, since the programme is designed to bring former scholars back after time away, not to fund those already residing there.

Do I need to submit anything by post, or is the process fully online?

Both. After completing the online application, you must also print and post one copy of the generated application summary to the designated address. The application isn't considered complete without this step.

Can I apply if I don't have any published academic work?

Yes. A list of publications is only required "if available" - it's not a strict requirement for applying, though a strong project statement and CV remain essential.

What kind of institutions can I work at during the funded stay?

You're not limited to universities. Eligible hosts include research institutes, as well as organisations in administration, business, culture, or media, as long as the stay is tied to your academic or professional background.

When will I find out if my application was successful?

DAAD doesn't publish a fixed notification date for this programme; applicants are typically informed by DAAD directly after their file - including the posted summary copy - has been reviewed by the selection committee. It's worth checking your DAAD portal account and email regularly after the 31 August 2026 deadline.

Final Thoughts

For DAAD alumni looking to reconnect with German institutions and continue research or professional collaborations, the Re-Invitation Programme offers a straightforward, fully funded route back - with a stipend, travel support, and flexible timing built around your project. Given the relatively short window and postal submission requirement, the smartest move is to secure your German host confirmation early and complete your online application well before the 31 August 2026 deadline.

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Official Website: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?origin=194&status=3&subjectGrps=&daad=&q=&page=3&detail=50015492#bewerbung