The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has announced continued application rounds for the Hilde Domin Programme, a prestigious scholarship initiative designed to support students and doctoral candidates worldwide who face serious risks to their educational rights or personal safety in their home countries.
The programme is aimed at individuals who are at risk due to their ethnic, religious, gender or sexual identity, or as a result of their political or civic engagement. Through this initiative, eligible candidates are given the opportunity to pursue or complete master’s or doctoral studies at recognised German higher education institutions in a safe and supportive academic environment.
The Hilde Domin Scholarship is open to applicants from all countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the United Kingdom. Scholars may study any academic discipline offered in Germany, with the exception of human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and law.
Successful candidates are exempt from tuition fees and receive a comprehensive financial support package. This includes a monthly living stipend—currently set at €992 for master’s students and €1,400 for doctoral candidates—alongside travel allowances, health and personal liability insurance, and additional benefits where applicable. Scholars may also be offered a German language course lasting two to six months, depending on their needs.
Applications to the Hilde Domin Programme are by nomination only. Candidates cannot apply directly and must instead be nominated by eligible German-based institutions or organisations. These may include universities, research institutions, or organisations active in higher education or in the promotion of human rights, peace, democracy, and the rule of law. Each nomination must include a detailed risk assessment, after which shortlisted candidates are invited by DAAD to submit a formal application.
Final selections are made by an independent committee and are based on both risk status and academic merit. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic potential and meet B2-level proficiency in either German or English. Candidates must not be residing in Germany or another EU country at the time of nomination.
The programme is named in honour of Hilde Domin (1909–2006), a German poet and essayist who was forced into exile in 1932 to escape persecution. Her life and work symbolise resilience, intellectual freedom, and the enduring power of education in the face of injustice.
There are two nomination deadlines for candidates planning to begin their studies in Germany in 2027:
15 March 2026 (for programmes starting in summer 2027)
15 October 2026 (for programmes starting in winter 2027)
The Hilde Domin Programme stands as one of DAAD’s most important humanitarian initiatives, reaffirming Germany’s commitment to academic freedom, international solidarity, and the protection of scholars at risk.
For further details, prospective nominees are encouraged to consult the programme’s Frequently Asked Questions page and liaise with eligible nominating institutions in Germany.