The glass-walled European Parliament Paul Henri-Spaak building facade in Brussels.

Germany Check current round

KAAD Scholarship for Developing Countries

KAAD (the Catholic Academic Exchange Service) is a long-established German scholarship organisation that funds graduates from developing countries — including Sri Lanka — to pursue a Master's or doctorate in Germany, or a research stay. The scholarship is comprehensive: a full monthly living stipend, travel costs, health insurance, and a German language course before studies, plus academic and personal mentoring. KAAD's mission emphasises responsibility toward one's home country and society, so applications are assessed on academic strength and a genuine commitment to contributing to development on return. It is open to applicants of any background who share these aims, though there is a Christian-dialogue dimension to the programme's ethos. For Sri Lankan applicants, KAAD usually expects you to apply from Sri Lanka (often with a local partner committee/contact) and to have a clear study or research plan. Confirm the current application route for Sri Lanka, eligibility details, and deadlines with KAAD.

Annual / semi-annual selection rounds — confirm the current Sri Lanka application route and deadlines with KAAD

Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (KAAD)

External Organization-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Stipend

Full Monthly Living Stipend

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Extras

Travel + Health + Language Course

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Support

Mentoring & Networks

info How this award actually works

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This is a separate, highly competitive application

Awards from external organisations like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.

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Who awards it

Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (KAAD) — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.

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What it covers

Full monthly stipend + travel, health insurance, language course. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.

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Where we come in

We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Developing-Country Graduate

For graduates from developing countries, including Sri Lanka. KAAD generally expects you to be in your home country at the time of application (not already studying in a third country).

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Strong Academic Record

A completed first degree (and, for doctoral applicants, a Master's) with strong results is expected, along with a clear, relevant study or research plan for Germany.

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Commitment to Home-Country Development

KAAD prioritises candidates who intend to use their qualification for the benefit of their home country and society. The programme has a Christian-dialogue ethos but assesses applicants on academic and developmental grounds.

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Language Requirement

Sufficient German is required for German-taught study; KAAD funds a pre-study German course. For English-taught Master's/PhD, English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) is expected. Sri Lankan English-medium graduates can usually evidence English readily.

account_tree Application Process

Confirm the Sri Lanka application route

Contact KAAD to confirm the current process for Sri Lankan applicants — applications often go through a partner committee or designated route rather than a fully open online portal.

Prepare your documents

Assemble transcripts, degree certificates, a detailed study/research plan, motivation letter, references, and (for PhD) confirmation of supervision interest at a German university.

Submit and interview

Submit your application by the deadline. Shortlisted candidates are assessed on academic merit, plan quality, and developmental motivation, often including an interview.

Award and German visa

Awardees receive the scholarship and arrange admission/supervision at a German university, then apply for the German student visa with the scholarship confirmation and required documents.

Why KAAD?

KAAD is one of Germany's most comprehensive scholarships for students from developing countries, combining full funding with language support, mentoring, and a strong alumni network across the Global South. Its development-focused mission makes it a meaningful route for Sri Lankan graduates who plan to bring their expertise home.

Full

Monthly Stipend + Extras

Master's/PhD

Levels Supported

Mentoring

Academic + Personal

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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