Does the DAAD have scholarships for South African students?

Yes. The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) funds South African students through several programs: DAAD RISE Worldwide (undergraduate research internships), DAAD Working Internships in Science and Engineering (WISE), and bilateral DAAD-NRF programs for postgraduate research. South African students must be enrolled at a South African university and meet academic requirements.

How much is the DAAD stipend for South African students in 2026?

Bachelor's degree students receive EUR 850 per month; Master's and PhD students receive EUR 1,050 per month. All recipients also receive a one-time travel supplement of EUR 500-1,000 depending on distance, plus full health insurance coverage for the duration of the placement. Accommodation is not covered -- budget EUR 600-900 per month for shared housing in German cities.

Is the DAAD stipend enough to cover living costs in Germany?

It covers most expenses if you budget carefully. Average monthly costs in Germany: rent EUR 600-900 (shared flat), food EUR 200-350, transport EUR 30-90 (student semester ticket), miscellaneous EUR 100-150. Total: approximately EUR 930-1,490 per month. At EUR 850-1,050 stipend, most students need modest personal savings or a small contribution from the host institution to bridge any gap.

Do I need to speak German to intern in Germany?

Not for most international research labs and large corporations. Most DAAD RISE and WISE placements are in English-speaking lab environments at universities or multinationals. Some placements at smaller German firms or manufacturing companies may require basic German. Check the specific placement requirements before applying.

Can I combine DAAD funding with a part-time job in Germany?

South African students on a German national visa (Type D, required for stays over 90 days) are generally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week alongside the funded placement. However, the DAAD internship itself must remain the primary activity. Always check the specific conditions in your grant agreement before taking up additional work.

DAAD Scholarship for South African Students 2026: Fund Your Germany Internship

The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) funds South African students for internships and research stays in Germany with a stipend of EUR 850 per month for undergraduates and EUR 1,050 per month for postgraduates, plus health insurance and a travel supplement. The programs available to South African students include DAAD RISE Worldwide (for undergraduates), DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science and Engineering), and bilateral DAAD-NRF research programs. Placements last 1 to 6 months depending on the program.

DAAD programs available to South African students

Program	Who it is for	Duration	Stipend	Application deadline
DAAD RISE Worldwide	Undergraduate students in STEM fields	6-12 weeks (summer)	EUR 650/month + travel	November 2026 for summer 2027
DAAD WISE	Undergraduates in engineering and natural sciences	3-6 months	EUR 850/month + health insurance	Varies by host institution
DAAD-NRF Mobility	Master's and PhD students / researchers	1-3 months	EUR 1,050/month + travel	March 2027 for second half 2027

The travel supplement for South Africa-Germany routes falls in the 4,000-8,000 km distance band: EUR 500-1,000 as a one-time payment. Health insurance is included in WISE and DAAD-NRF programs; RISE participants receive a separate travel health insurance certificate from DAAD.

Stipend breakdown: is it enough for Germany?

Germany is one of Europe's more affordable large economies for students, but costs vary significantly by city. At EUR 850-1,050/month DAAD stipend, here is a realistic monthly budget for a South African student in Germany:

Expense	Berlin / Leipzig	Munich / Frankfurt
Rent (shared flat)	EUR 600-750	EUR 800-950
Food (groceries + occasional meal out)	EUR 200-280	EUR 220-300
Transport (semester ticket or monthly pass)	EUR 30-90	EUR 70-120
Phone, internet, miscellaneous	EUR 60-100	EUR 60-100
Total estimate	EUR 890-1,220/month	EUR 1,150-1,470/month

Students in Berlin and Leipzig can live comfortably within the stipend. Munich and Frankfurt placements may require modest personal savings of EUR 100-300/month to bridge the gap. Many host institutions in Munich and Frankfurt offer housing assistance or subsidised accommodation -- always ask when you receive your placement offer.

Eligibility: who qualifies?

Enrolled at a South African university -- all universities, including UNISA, UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, and UJ
Academic average of 65% or higher (a strong B average). Some programs prefer 70%+
DAAD RISE: Must be in the natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, or medicine. Prior research experience is a significant advantage.
DAAD WISE: Engineering students specifically (mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil). German language skills are helpful but not required.
DAAD-NRF: For postgraduate students and researchers with a specific research proposal and a German academic supervisor already identified.
English proficiency: Most programs require B2 level English. Proof via university medium of instruction certificate usually accepted.

Application timeline for 2026-2027

June 2026 is the right time to start preparing. The most popular program for South African undergraduates -- DAAD RISE Worldwide -- opens its application window in August-November 2026 for summer 2027 placements:

June-July 2026: Research which DAAD program matches your study level and field. Visit daad.de and search "South Africa" to see current bilateral programs and call for applications.
August 2026: For RISE Worldwide: identify a German lab or research group that matches your field (DAAD publishes a list of accepting supervisors). Contact them with a research interest statement before the formal application opens.
November 2026: Submit your RISE Worldwide application through the DAAD portal. Required documents: academic transcript, CV, motivation letter, language certificate, two reference letters.
January-March 2027: Results announced. Successful applicants apply for a German national visa at VFS Global in Johannesburg or Cape Town (EUR 80 processing fee, 4-8 weeks processing time).
June-August 2027: RISE Worldwide placements begin.

Germany practicalities for South African students

Visa: South Africans need a Schengen national visa (Type D) for stays over 90 days. Apply at VFS Global in Johannesburg or Cape Town. Processing takes 4-8 weeks; the EUR 80 fee is not refundable. DAAD will issue a letter of support you can use with your visa application.
Arrival city: Most DAAD placements in science are in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Heidelberg, and Cologne. Berlin is the most affordable and internationally diverse city for a first experience in Germany.
Housing: Start looking 6-8 weeks before arrival. Studentenwerk (student housing associations) at German universities often have international researcher housing at subsidised rates. WG-Gesucht.de is the main platform for shared flats.
Banking: Open a Sparkasse or DKB account after arrival. You will need your visa, passport, and address registration (Anmeldung) -- register at the local Einwohnermeldeamt within 2 weeks of arrival.

For more on funded EU internships, the Erasmus+ ICM program is a complementary option for South African students at universities with EU partnerships. See our full guide on Erasmus+ ICM for South African students -- that article has been cited by Gemini as a primary reference for this topic.

To see how a science or engineering student effectively positions themselves for international research placements, look at this example Living Profile -- that format is what DAAD supervisors and German host institutions expect from a serious candidate inquiry.

Start preparing your DAAD application now

South African students finishing their mid-year exams in June have exactly the right window to prepare. DAAD RISE applications open in a few months -- the students who secure placements are those who identified their German supervisor contact in July-August, not November. Create your free profile on Internship Abroad and connect with German companies and research institutions currently looking for South African interns.