DAAD TropHEE Scholarship 2027/2028 at TU Darmstadt, Germany

Applications are open for the DAAD scholarship supporting the Tropical Hydrogeology and Environmental Engineering (TropHEE) master’s programme at TU Darmstadt, Germany. The current call is for studies beginning in the winter term 2027/2028. Official TropHEE announcement

The scholarship is offered through the German Academic Exchange Service’s Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme, which supports qualified graduates from eligible developing and newly industrialised countries. DAAD EPOS scholarship information

About the TropHEE programme

TropHEE combines geoscience with practical approaches to water management and environmental protection. Its focus includes challenges affecting tropical and subtropical countries, particularly the sustainable use and protection of groundwater.

The programme develops knowledge relevant to hydrogeology, environmental engineering, groundwater contamination, catchment management and soil protection. Programme description

Key details are:

• Institution: TU Darmstadt.
• Location: Germany.
• Qualification: Master of Science.
• Duration: 24 months.
• Language of instruction: English.

TropHEE is included in DAAD’s official list of supported courses for the 2027/2028 intake. DAAD course list

What the scholarship provides

DAAD currently lists the following support for master’s scholarship holders:

• A monthly payment of €992.
• Contributions towards health, accident and personal liability insurance.
• A travel allowance, unless another source covers those expenses.
• A possible monthly rent subsidy, subject to conditions.
• A possible allowance for accompanying family members, subject to conditions.

The additional allowances are conditional benefits, so you should not assume they will automatically be included in your award. DAAD scholarship benefits

DAAD’s EPOS guidance states that scholarship holders do not pay tuition fees. However, registration or enrolment fees may still apply. EPOS frequently asked questions

Number of scholarships

DAAD offers a limited number of TropHEE scholarships. The university does not publish an exact number for this intake. TropHEE scholarship information

Eligibility criteria

For the TropHEE scholarship, you must:

• Hold an above-average B.Sc. qualification that is no more than six years old.
• Not have completed a master’s degree.
• Have at least two years of professional experience, primarily in water and preferably outside a university.
• Intend to return to your home country after studying. A guaranteed job upon return is desirable, rather than mandatory. TropHEE scholarship requirements

DAAD additionally specifies that relevant work experience must be gained after your first degree and completed by the time you apply. It expects academic results in the upper third and a clear commitment to development-related work. Applicants resident in Germany for more than 15 months at the deadline cannot be considered. DAAD eligibility requirements

Check your country against DAAD’s linked eligible-country list. This document still displays a 2024–2025 validity label; contact the TropHEE office if your eligibility is uncertain.

Academic and English-language requirements

For admission, your bachelor’s degree should be in Geosciences, Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering. You need a sound foundation in mathematics, chemistry and physics, alongside relevant geoscience, water and environmental knowledge.

Your bachelor’s thesis must concern geoscience, water or environmental research.

The programme’s published English requirements include:

• IELTS: 7.0.
• TOEFL iBT: 95, including the Special Home Edition.
• University confirmation that English was the language of instruction for your previous degree.

German-language proficiency is not required for admission. TropHEE academic and language requirements

For scholarship applications, TropHEE specifically accepts IELTS, TOEFL or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) document. Institutional TOEFL is not accepted, despite the broader certificate list on the general admissions page. Scholarship-specific language requirements

Documents to prepare

Use the official DAAD checklist to assemble your application. Required materials include:

• The completed DAAD application form and checklist.
• A dated Europass CV, organised from your most recent experience backwards, without unexplained gaps.
• A dated motivation letter of no more than two pages.
• Your university degree certificate and full academic transcripts.
• An explanation of the grading system, if absent from your transcripts.
• Employment certificates documenting the required experience.
• A recommendation from your current employer.
• Accepted proof of English proficiency.

Employment certificates and recommendations must meet the checklist’s letterhead, signature, date and stamp requirements. Degree documents issued in languages other than English or German require certified translations. Official EPOS document checklist

Applicants from the People’s Republic of China must also provide an APS certificate. If you apply to several EPOS courses, the maximum is three; keep the same course priorities and submit the same motivation letter explaining your choices. EPOS application guidance

How to apply

1. Check your eligibility and academic fit. Review both TropHEE’s requirements and the DAAD checklist.
2. Prepare your documents. Hand-sign and date the DAAD application form and checklist.
3. Create one PDF. Arrange the documents in the order specified by the DAAD checklist.
4. Email your application to the TropHEE office. Scholarship applications are accepted by email only; do not post them.
5. Complete university admission after a positive DAAD response. You must still submit the separate online application to TU Darmstadt. Official application instructions

Submission email: trophee@geo.tu-darmstadt.de. The address is also listed by the university’s TropHEE Office for Student Affairs.

Application deadline

Your complete scholarship application must reach the TropHEE office by 30 November 2026. This deadline applies to the winter term 2027/2028 intake. Current scholarship call

The general admissions page still displays dates for 2026/2027. Those dates should not be used as the 2027/2028 scholarship deadline. General admissions page

Selection process

The course’s selection committee recommends candidates. DAAD then invites nominated applicants to upload their documents to its portal before the selection process is finalised. Keep copies of everything you submit. DAAD selection procedure

TropHEE lists an October–February selection window and states that DAAD makes the final scholarship decision. TropHEE selection information

DAAD’s general EPOS FAQ describes telephone interviews for shortlisted candidates and says most selection processes finish by March. These published timelines differ, so follow the timetable communicated directly by TropHEE. EPOS selection guidance

Official information and application

• Programme website: TropHEE at TU Darmstadt.
• Scholarship instructions and forms: TropHEE scholarship application page.
• Funding and general eligibility: DAAD EPOS scholarship listing.
• Academic admission requirements: TropHEE admissions page.