DAAD EPOS Scholarship for ASEAN Students: Eligibility for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

What EPOS scholarships fund

EPOS stands for development-related postgraduate courses, one of the longest running scholarship categories run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It funds master's level study in Germany for graduates from developing and emerging economies, in fields connected to national development such as economics, public policy, engineering, agriculture, natural resource management, public health, and governance.

Who typically qualifies

Eligibility follows the OECD Development Assistance Committee list of aid recipient countries, which covers most ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leste. Singapore and Brunei sit outside this list as high income economies, so students from those two countries should check the specific program listing for their eligibility rather than assume they qualify under EPOS.

EPOS programs generally expect at least two years of relevant professional work experience after your first degree, since the scholarship targets graduates who apply what they learn back in their home country or region. Check the specific work experience requirement listed for your target program, since some set a higher bar depending on the field.

What the scholarship covers

Award packages typically include a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a travel allowance to and from Germany. Many EPOS-eligible programs sit at public German universities with no or low tuition fees, so your main funding gap is living expenses rather than tuition. Confirm the exact stipend amount and any additional allowances directly on your target program's listing in the DAAD scholarship database , since terms differ between programs and change from year to year.

Fields ASEAN applicants commonly choose

• Development economics, public policy and governance

• Engineering and applied sciences with a development or infrastructure focus

• Agricultural science and natural resource management

• Public health and social protection

How to apply

You do not apply to DAAD directly as a first step. Instead, search the DAAD scholarship database for EPOS-eligible master's programs in your field, then apply to the specific university program, which handles both admission and scholarship nomination together. The program's admission committee reviews applicants and forwards its strongest candidates to DAAD for the scholarship decision.

Deadlines are set individually by each program rather than on a single DAAD-wide date, and often fall 6 to 12 months before the program's intake. Start your search a full year ahead of your target intake so you have time to gather transcripts, recommendation letters, and proof of your work experience.

Documents to prepare

• Transcripts and certificates from your first degree, translated where the program requires it.

• Proof of your professional work experience, such as employer letters or contracts.

• A letter of motivation connecting your work background to your chosen field of study.

• Academic or professional recommendation letters and any language test scores your program requires.

How EPOS differs from other DAAD scholarships

DAAD runs many scholarship categories beyond EPOS, including scholarships for standard master's study without a work experience requirement and doctoral research scholarships. EPOS specifically targets postgraduate courses tagged as development-related, meaning the program content connects to economic, social or institutional development in emerging economies, not every master's degree taught in Germany. This distinction matters when you search the DAAD database, since not every scholarship-eligible German master's program counts as EPOS.

A typical application timeline

Start researching EPOS-eligible programs at least a year before your target intake, since German universities run their own admission cycles alongside the DAAD scholarship nomination. Gather your transcripts, employer references confirming your work experience, and language test scores early, since these take time to arrange, particularly if your employer needs formal notice to issue a reference letter. Submit your program application and scholarship interest together, then wait for the university's admission committee to shortlist candidates before DAAD makes its final funding decision.

After you arrive in Germany

EPOS scholars typically complete an intensive German language course before their program starts, even in English-taught programs, since basic German helps with daily life and job prospects. DAAD scholarship holders also get access to DAAD's alumni network and academic support services during their studies, and many ASEAN students use this network for mentorship and career guidance connected to their home country's development sector.

Fitting EPOS into your career plan

Because EPOS targets graduates who already hold professional experience, treat the scholarship as a mid-career qualification rather than a first postgraduate step straight after your bachelor's degree. Employers in government agencies, NGOs and development-focused companies across ASEAN countries value the combination of practical experience plus a German postgraduate qualification, which is part of why DAAD built the two-year work experience expectation into the program.

Talking to your employer before you apply

Since EPOS expects you to bring professional experience into your studies and often to return home afterward, discuss your plans with your current employer early if you intend to keep your position or return to a related role. A supportive employer reference letter that names your specific responsibilities and connects them to the German program you target strengthens your file, and some employers grant study leave that makes your transition to Germany smoother.