The DAAD Seoul office, established in 1963, manages one of DAAD's most active bilateral scholarship programs. The DAAD-NRF (National Research Foundation of Korea) bilateral program provides dedicated funding for Korean students at German universities across all levels. Korean students are also eligible for Erasmus Mundus joint master's programs and German political foundation scholarships.
Key Scholarships for Korean Students in Germany
| DAAD-NRF Bilateral Program | Joint DAAD-National Research Foundation of Korea program. Full or partial funding for master's and PhD students. Research stays and full degree programs. Apply via DAAD Seoul and NRF simultaneously. |
|---|---|
| DAAD Study Scholarship | For graduate students (master's, PhD). Monthly stipend ~€934 (master's) / €1,200 (PhD). Full program funding. Apply via DAAD Seoul (daad.de/korea). |
| DAAD Research Grants | 1–6 months research stay. €800–€1,000/month. For undergraduate and graduate students. Strong for KAIST/POSTECH students wanting a research visit to TU9 universities. |
| DAAD RISE Germany | Summer research internships at German universities for STEM undergraduate students. Stipend + travel. Applications open November. |
| Erasmus Mundus | Full funding (tuition + ~€1,000/month + travel). Joint programs across EU universities. Korean students are competitive applicants. |
| Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes | Germany's most prestigious scholarship. Must be enrolled at a German university. Nomination by professors — contact your faculty once enrolled. |
| Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) | Check NIIED (National Institute for International Education) for Korean government scholarships for study abroad — separate from DAAD, but combinable in some contexts. |
Frequently Asked Questions
The DAAD-NRF program requires a parallel application to both DAAD Seoul and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The NRF publishes its annual call (공고) on nrf.re.kr, typically in summer or autumn. DAAD Seoul (daad.de/korea) publishes the matching call. You will need a research plan, two letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, a language certificate, and (usually) a statement of purpose. Contact DAAD Seoul for pre-application advising — the office is highly accessible and actively helps Korean applicants.
Explore the full guide for South Korea students in Germany
Back to the Complete Guide
