The Fully Funded DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 in Germany offers an unparalleled opportunity for international students to pursue advanced research and studies in AI. Funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and hosted by the School of Embedded Composite Artificial Intelligence (SECAI), this prestigious program covers all tuition fees, travel expenses, and monthly living stipends. If you want to study at top-tier German universities while collaborating with leading global tech experts, this scholarship is your ultimate launchpad.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Host Country | Germany |
| Institution | SECAI Partner Universities |
| Degree Levels | Master’s and PhD |
| Coverage | Stipend, Travel, Insurance, Tuition |
| Application Deadline | Varies by Program (Check Below) |
Also check out: Fulbright Foreign Program 2027
Full Details of the DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 Benefits
Winning the DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 gives you complete financial freedom to focus entirely on your AI studies. The comprehensive funding package includes:
- Monthly Living Stipend: Master’s students receive a fixed €934 per month allowance to cover rent, food, and daily expenses.
- Tuition-Free Education: Your academic tuition fees are completely waived at the participating public host universities.
- Travel Grants: A flat-rate travel allowance is provided to cover your return flights between your home country and Germany.
- Medical Insurance: The program provides robust health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage.
- Family Support Allowances: Eligible applicants can request additional monthly financial support for accompanied family members.
- Elite Professional Networking: Direct access to exclusive SECAI research networks, top tech laboratories, and global AI industry mentors.
Host University List
The DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 (Embedded Composite Artificial Intelligence) program is a joint initiative hosted by two leading German research universities:
- TU Dresden (Technical University of Dresden)
- Leipzig University
The Golden Ticket: Every Eligible Country Listed!
Let’s be honest: nothing hurts more than finding the perfect DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 in Germany, scrolling all the way down, and realizing your home country is blacklisted.
Good news! The DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 initiative wants the absolute brightest minds in Artificial Intelligence, regardless of where they hold a passport. DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 is a fully global scholarship. Whether you are from a booming tech hub or an emerging economy, you are invited to apply.
To help with your search, here is a quick breakdown of where most of our successful applicants hail from:
🌏 Asia & Middle East
- South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand.
- Middle East & Central Asia: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
🌍 Africa
- West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.
- East Africa: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- North & South Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and South Africa.
🌎 The Americas
- Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Chile.
- North America: United States and Canada.
🇪🇺 Europe & Oceania
- European Union: All EU/EEA member states.
- Non-EU Countries: United Kingdom, Ukraine, Albania, and Serbia.
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.
The Ultimate List of Eligible Degrees: Find Your Major!
To make sure you don’t miss out, here is a comprehensive breakdown of every single major and academic track funded by the DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 Program.
The program views AI as a massive, interdisciplinary field. Because of this, they fund degrees spanning across computer science, heavy engineering, medicine, and even the humanities—as long as your coursework, research, or final thesis focus heavily on an Artificial Intelligence topic!
💻 1. Core Engineering & Computer Science Majors
These degrees provide the raw technical foundation for building next-generation intelligent systems:
- M.Sc. Computer Science / Informatik (TU Dresden & Leipzig University) – Covering computer vision, robotics, deep learning, and advanced software systems.
- M.Sc. Data Science (Leipzig University) – Focusing on big data analytics, neural networks, and statistical machine learning models.
- M.Sc. Computational Modeling and Simulation (TU Dresden) – Specifically targeting the Applied Artificial Intelligence and Computational Life Science tracks.
- M.Sc. Nanoelectronic Systems (TU Dresden) – Focused on the physical hardware side, building the intelligent microchips and processors that run AI models.
- German Diplom Programs (TU Dresden) – Students enrolled in traditional long-cycle German Diplom engineering tracks can unlock this scholarship once they complete their first two years of study (Grundstudium).
🧬 2. Health, Medicine & Life Sciences Tracks
AI is completely changing healthcare, and SECAI actively funds students bridging these fields:
- M.Sc. Bioinformatics / Bioinformatik (Leipzig University) – Using AI algorithms to parse genomic data and biological systems.
- M.Sc. Medical Informatics / Medizininformatik (Leipzig University) – Designing intelligent medical devices, clinical AI software, and automated healthcare tech.
⚖️ 3. Humanities, Law & Social Sciences (AI-Specialized)
Can you apply if you aren’t a programmer? Yes! If you specialize in how AI interacts with human society, you can apply through these programs:
- Master of Laws (LL.M.) – Advanced legal studies focusing exclusively on AI regulation, copyright law, data privacy, and tech policies.
- Master of Arts (M.A.) Tracks (TU Dresden & Leipzig University) – Selected humanities programs focusing directly on the human, ethical, and societal dimensions of AI.
- M.Sc. Psychology – Specifically for tracks evaluating socio-technical systems and human-machine interaction (how humans behave when using AI systems).
💡 Golden Rule for Interdisciplinary Majors: If your degree is not explicitly named “Computer Science”, your application must show that your elective courses, research projects, or your upcoming master’s thesis are tightly linked to an AI topic!
Eligibility Criteria for DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 in Germany: Do You Have What It Takes?
Let’s look at the exact rules to find out if you qualify for this elite AI funding. The DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 selection committee looks closely at three major things: your grades, your chosen university path, and how your projects align with Artificial Intelligence.
Here are the strict requirements you must meet to lock in your spot:
🎓 1. Academic Performance (The Grade Benchmark)
- The 1.7 Rule: You must have an excellent academic track record from your Bachelor’s degree. This means a cumulative GPA of 1.7 or better when converted to the German grading system (where 1.0 is a perfect score and 4.0 is a bare pass).
- Life Circumstances Exception: The committee states that exceptions to the 1.7 rule can be made if you have experienced documented, adverse personal hardships or systematically disadvantaged backgrounds.
🏫 2. University Enrollment & Track Status
- Double Application Rule: You can apply for this scholarship if you are a currently enrolled Master’s student OR a prospective applicant. If you are a prospective student, you must submit a university admission application alongside your scholarship application. These are handled as two separate, independent application processes.
- The German Diplom Track: If you are enrolled in a traditional German Diplom program at TU Dresden, you become eligible for this Master-level scholarship after you successfully finish your first 2 years of foundational study (Grundstudium).
🧠 3. Core Structural & Soft Skill Requirements
- AI Project Connection: Your elective modules, upcoming master’s thesis, or core research work must directly target an AI topic.
- Language Proficiency: You must display strong proficiency in the language of instruction for your specific program (typically English or German).
- Interview Readiness: Shortlisted candidates must pass a technical interview to show they can confidently discuss complex, professional tech topics with academic experts.
Step-by-Step Guide for DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026: How to Apply Like a Pro
Applying for a highly competitive DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026 can feel overwhelming, but you can secure this funding smoothly by following this exact roadmap. Because you must handle your university application and your scholarship application at the same time, careful organization is key.
Here is the step-by-step breakdown to get your application submitted successfully:
Step 1: Pick Your Matching Program
First, choose an eligible AI-focused Master’s or PhD program at either TU Dresden or Leipzig University. Review the university’s specific academic entry requirements, as you must qualify for the academic course itself before you can receive the funding.
Step 2: Submit Your University Application
Apply directly to your chosen university using their respective online admission portal (such as AlmaWeb for Leipzig University, the TU Dresden Portal, or Uni-Assist for international applicants). Do not wait for the scholarship results to apply to the university; complete this step as early as possible.
Step 3: Gather Your Application Documents
Prepare clear, professional digital copies of all your required paperwork. Your application package must include:
- A current, professional CV (Europass format is highly recommended).
- Your official Bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcripts.
- A strong, tailored Letter of Motivation explaining your deep interest in AI, why you chose the SECAI network, and your future career goals.
- Proof of your GPA conversion showing you meet the 1.7 German grade benchmark.
- Official Language Proficiency Certificates (such as TOEFL/IELTS for English tracks or TestDaF for German tracks).
Step 4: Complete the SECAI Online Application Form
Visit the official SECAI Application Portal and fill out the dedicated online scholarship form. Upload all the documents you gathered in Step 3, and ensure you clearly state which university and major you are targeting.
Step 5: Ace the Technical Interview
If your application passes the initial screening, the selection committee will invite you to a technical interview conducted in English or German. Be ready to discuss your previous engineering or coding projects, your chosen AI research focus, and how you plan to contribute to the SECAI network.
Official Program Website: Visit the Official Zuse School SECAI Website
Scholarship Details & Requirements: View Official DAAD SECAI Scholarship Details
Direct Application Portal: Apply Here via the SECAI Online Application Form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for DAAD SECAI Scholarship 2026
1. Is an IELTS or TOEFL certificate mandatory to apply?
Yes, official language proof is generally required if your chosen program is taught in English. However, if your entire bachelor’s degree was taught completely in English, you may request an official English Proficiency Letter from your previous university. You must verify if your specific master’s department at TU Dresden or Leipzig University accepts this waiver before submitting your application.
2. Can I apply for the scholarship if I am already studying in Germany?
Absolutely! If you are currently enrolled in an eligible AI master’s program or an advanced engineering Diplom track at TU Dresden or Leipzig University, you can apply. The funding will cover the remaining semesters of your active degree.
3. What is the application deadline for the 2026 academic intake?
The general closing deadline for all applications is June 30, 2026. However, the committee runs early-review windows for outstanding profiles. The priority deadline for the specialized AI Data Law (LL.M.) track closes on April 19, while early screening for all other tech majors concludes on May 19.
4. Do I need to secure university admission before applying for the funding?
No, you do not need an official university admission letter at the exact moment you apply for the scholarship. You must, however, prove that you have successfully submitted your parallel admission application to the university’s academic portal for the matching winter semester.
5. Can I apply if my bachelor’s grade is lower than the German 1.7 benchmark?
The selection panel prioritizes top academic merit, meaning a converted grade of 1.7 or better is highly recommended. If your grade is lower but you have exceptional, proven AI software engineering experience, published research papers, or documented social hardships, you are still encouraged to apply and state your case.
Disclaimer
Important Notice:This publication functions strictly as an informational guide for aspiring students. ScholarshipGoat is an independent platform and is not directly affiliated with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the SECAI school, TU Dresden, or Leipzig University. While we work diligently to provide accurate, up-to-date details, scholarship structures, monthly stipend rates, and university admission policies can shift without warning. Always cross-verify critical dates and document rules on the official Zuse School SECAI website prior to submitting your formal paperwork.
