DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, German Academic Exchange Service) is Germany's main academic exchange organisation and runs many programmes, each with its own amount and eligibility. The DAAD does not publish one amount for South African students: each programme sets its own rate. Check the programme's entry in the DAAD scholarship database or with DAAD in South Africa before you budget. According to daad.de, RISE Germany is for undergraduates enrolled in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland, and RISE Worldwide is for German undergraduates, so neither is open to students enrolled in India or South Africa.
This is the complementary article to our Erasmus+ ICM South Africa guide, the page cited by Gemini. If Erasmus+ ICM gives you access to European universities broadly, DAAD gives you access to Germany's world-class research infrastructure specifically. For STEM students especially, the two programmes serve different but complementary purposes.
DAAD programmes open to South African students
| Programme | Who qualifies | Duration | Stipend (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD WISE | Listed by the DAAD as not available | n/a | n/a |
| Helmholtz Research Fellowship | Postdoctoral researchers | 6-24 months | Check the programme's own call |
| DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses | Postgraduate students with work experience | 1-2 years | Check the DAAD database |
| DAAD Research Grants (short-term) | PhD students and postdocs | 1-6 months | Check the DAAD database |
| DAAD Working Internships (Bilateral) | Students at partner institutions | Check with your university | Check with your university |
The DAAD scholarship database currently lists WISE as not available, so there is no current amount to quote. For undergraduates, the realistic route is usually a paid internship or a bilateral exchange through your own university.
DAAD stipends 2026: what to check
| Component | EUR amount | ZAR equivalent (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly living stipend | Set per programme | Check the DAAD database |
| Travel allowance (one-time) | Set per programme | Check the DAAD database |
| Health insurance | Set per programme | Check the DAAD database |
| Total for 2 months | Depends on the programme | n/a |
| Total for 3 months | Depends on the programme | n/a |
Compare the amount in any award letter with local costs. Berlin and Munich are the most expensive; Bonn, Freiburg, and Aachen are significantly more affordable at roughly EUR 400 to EUR 550 for a shared room per month. Add groceries (EUR 200-250/month) and local transport (EUR 60-90/month) and you have a realistic monthly budget.
DAAD WISE eligibility for South Africans
- Enrolled at a South African university in a STEM undergraduate programme (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Computer Science).
- Year of study: Completed at least 5 semesters of a 4-year degree (or equivalent for 3-year honours track students).
- GPA: No published cutoff, but competitive applicants typically hold 65% aggregate or above (second class upper or higher on South African scale).
- Host letter required: Unlike some other DAAD programmes, WISE requires you to find a German host institution and secure a written acceptance letter before submitting your DAAD application.
- Language: English proficiency sufficient (no German or IELTS required).
Schengen visa process for South African passport holders
South African passport holders require a Schengen Type D National Visa for internship stays longer than 90 days, or a standard Schengen visa (Type C) for stays of 2 to 3 months. Here are the current requirements:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Type C Schengen (up to 90 days) or Type D National Visa (90+ days) |
| Application via | VFS Global South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban) |
| Visa fee | EUR 80 (approximately ZAR 1,580) for Type C; EUR 75 for Type D |
| Processing time | 15 working days standard; book VFS appointment 6-8 weeks in advance |
| Key supporting documents | DAAD acceptance letter, proof of stipend, host institution letter, accommodation proof, return flight booking, medical insurance certificate, bank statements (3 months) |
| South African requirements | Valid SA passport (minimum 6 months beyond planned return), unabridged birth certificate if under 18 |
Book your VFS appointment early. VFS slots in Johannesburg fill 6 to 8 weeks in advance during peak season (May to August). If your internship starts in June, apply for your visa appointment no later than March.
Step-by-step application process
- Find and contact a German research host (start now, this takes 2 to 4 months). Email research group leaders at German universities, Helmholtz Centres, or Max Planck Institutes whose work aligns with your field. Reference a specific paper; ask an intelligent question about their research.
- Get a formal acceptance letter from your German host on institutional letterhead, confirming the research topic, your role, and the dates.
- Apply via DAAD portal (daad.de/en/find-funding/scholarships) by October 15 for the 2027 summer cohort. Required documents include:
- Motivation letter (1 page, research-focused)
- Academic CV in English
- Official academic transcripts
- Two academic letters of recommendation
- Host acceptance letter
- Wait for DAAD response (typically November to January). Successful applicants receive a formal award letter.
- Apply for Schengen visa via VFS Global as soon as you receive the DAAD award letter. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa in hand.
Build your application materials now, even before you have a host. A polished profile showing your research background makes your cold emails to German professors significantly more effective. See how an engineering student presents their profile to international research supervisors.
Life in Germany as a South African DAAD intern
Practical steps for South Africans arriving in Germany:
- Register your address (Anmeldung): Required within 14 days of arrival. Visit your local Buergeramt with your tenancy agreement and passport. Your Anmeldung confirmation is needed for nearly every administrative task in Germany.
- German bank account: Open a basic account at DKB or N26 (both free, English app) or the Deutsche Bank. You will need an IBAN to receive your DAAD stipend payments. Bring your Anmeldung confirmation and passport.
- Health insurance: DAAD arranges group health insurance for the duration of your internship. Keep the insurance card on you at all times and note the emergency assistance number on the back.
- SIM card: Aldi Talk, Congstar, and Lebara offer affordable prepaid SIMs from EUR 10/month. Your SA number will incur high roaming fees, switch to a local SIM within the first week.
Start your application
The October 15 DAAD deadline gives you four months, but the host-finding process starts now. Students who begin emailing German professors in June and July are the ones who have a confirmed host by September. Students who wait until September rarely find a host in time.
Create your free profile on Internship Abroad to access Germany-specific internship preparation resources and guidance on finding DAAD WISE-eligible host institutions.