By Kelvin Kibet | Last updated: 28 September 2026
Status: Open for courses starting in 2027/28. Most course deadlines fall between 1 October and 15 December 2026. Some run into early 2027. Check your course page today.
The DAAD EPOS scholarship funds Kenyan professionals to study a Master’s or PhD in Germany in fields linked to development. It is not one application to one office. EPOS is a scheme attached to a list of specific postgraduate courses, and each course runs its own admissions and deadline.
What the scholarship covers
- Monthly stipend: €992 for Master’s students and €1,300 for PhD candidates. Some sources say the PhD rate rose to €1,400 from February 2026, so check the current DAAD figure.
- Insurance: A contribution towards health, accident and personal liability insurance.
- Travel: A flat-rate travel allowance. It is a contribution to your costs, not a booked ticket.
- Study and research allowance: A one-off payment for books and materials.
- Course costs: Fees are covered where a course charges them. Most German public universities charge little or no tuition, but you still pay a small semester contribution.
Who can apply
- Degree: A good first degree. Your most recent degree should normally be no older than six years.
- Work experience: Usually at least two years of relevant professional experience after your first degree. Check how your course counts internships.
- Development link: Your work and goals should connect to a development challenge in Kenya.
- Eligible country: Kenya is eligible, but confirm on the DAAD page.
- Language: Depends on the course. English-taught courses usually accept an English test or proof of English-medium study.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the official EPOS course list and shortlist up to three courses that match your field.
- Read each course page for its requirements, language rules, and deadline.
- Apply directly to the university, as the course instructs. DAAD does not forward applications.
- Submit before the course deadline. Universities shortlist candidates, and DAAD confirms the funding afterwards.
Sample deadlines to show why you must check
Deadlines vary a lot. One MSc in International Health at Heidelberg University lists 15 October 2026 for scholarship applicants. Other courses run to December 2026 or into 2027. Do not assume one course’s date applies to another.
Documents most courses ask for
- DAAD EPOS application form, signed and dated
- CV, often in Europass format
- Motivation letter, usually about two pages
- Degree certificate and transcripts, certified as required
- Employer letters confirming job title, duties and exact dates
- Two references, typically one academic and one professional
- English or German language evidence
- Passport copy
Kenya tips. Request transcripts from your university registrar early, as they can take weeks. Ask HR for a letter on letterhead with start and end dates and a description of your duties. If you changed employers, collect a letter from each so your two years are fully documented.
How to write a motivation letter reviewers remember
- Open with a specific problem you have worked on, with a place, a project or a number.
- Explain why this course, naming modules or research groups.
- Say what you will do back in Kenya: a role, an organisation, a project.
- Stay within the page limit and do not repeat your CV.
Common mistakes
- Sending the application to DAAD instead of the university
- Assuming the wrong course deadline
- Vague or undated work experience letters
- A generic motivation letter that could fit any course
- Leaving transcripts until the last week
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply before I have admission? That depends on the course. Some ask for admission and scholarship applications together. Check the course page.
Is there an age limit? No fixed upper age limit is published, but the six-year rule on your latest degree limits how long ago you graduated.
Is it really free? Study is largely tuition-free and EPOS adds a stipend and insurance. You may still pay upfront costs such as document certification, tests and visa fees.
Where is the official list? On the DAAD website, in the EPOS scholarship database and course list.
Official sources: DAAD EPOS page and course list (daad.de); the EPOS FAQ; your chosen university’s course page.