If you are a working professional from a developing country with a strong background in economics and a genuine drive to contribute to global development, then the MIDE Scholarship 2027 in Germany is an opportunity you absolutely cannot afford to overlook. This is a fully funded master’s scholarship supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through its prestigious EPOS program, and it covers literally everything you need to pursue a world-class graduate education in Berlin. From your living expenses and tuition to your flights and health insurance, this scholarship has you covered from the day you arrive until the day you graduate.
The 2027 intake of the MIDE program begins in April 2027, and the application window opens on July 1, 2026. If you apply with the DAAD scholarship, the deadline is August 31, 2026. This guide will walk you through every important detail about the program and the scholarship so you can go into your application fully prepared and fully confident.
What Is MIDE?
MIDE stands for Master’s in International and Development Economics. It is a full-time postgraduate program hosted by HTW Berlin, which is the Hochschule fur Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, formally known as the Berlin University of Applied Sciences. MIDE is offered through the Department of Economics and Law at HTW Berlin, and it is designed specifically for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of economic theory and practice in a global development context.
The MIDE program is entirely taught in English, which makes it accessible to qualified students from around the world regardless of their German language proficiency. The program lasts 17 to 18 months and covers three semesters of full-time study. The final six months of the program are dedicated to writing and defending the master’s thesis, which gives students the opportunity to conduct original research in an area of development economics that they are personally passionate about.
The program covers a wide range of subjects relevant to international and development economics, including development economics theory, international trade, economic policy analysis, macroeconomics, microeconomics, research methods, and applied econometrics. The curriculum is structured to give students both a strong theoretical foundation and the practical analytical tools needed to work in development-related roles in the public sector, international organizations, research institutions, and the private sector.
One of the most celebrated aspects of the MIDE program is the diversity of its student body. Each cohort brings together students and young professionals from developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and other regions. This diversity is not accidental. It is a core part of what makes the MIDE experience so valuable, because working and studying alongside peers from such varied backgrounds gives you perspectives and networks that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom back home.
What Is the DAAD EPOS Scholarship?
DAAD stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, which translates to the German Academic Exchange Service. DAAD is one of the world’s largest and most respected academic scholarship organizations, and it has been funding international academic exchange programs since 1925. Germany’s commitment to supporting global education and development is embedded in the DNA of DAAD, and the EPOS program is one of its most impactful scholarship initiatives.
EPOS stands for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses, which in German is Entwicklungsbezogene Postgraduiertenstudiengange. The EPOS program has been running since 1987 and has empowered thousands of professionals from developing countries to pursue master’s-level education in Germany. The entire philosophy of EPOS is that investing in the education of professionals from the global south creates a multiplier effect on development. When these graduates return home with advanced skills, they are better equipped to contribute to public policy, economic planning, research, and institutional capacity building in their countries.
The DAAD EPOS Scholarship is one of the most comprehensive funding packages available for postgraduate study in Germany. It is not a partial grant or a tuition waiver. It is a full scholarship that covers your daily life in Germany for the entire duration of the program. The competition is intense because only a limited number of scholarships are awarded each year, with the MIDE program alone receiving around 800 applications for just a handful of DAAD spots. This is why preparation, quality of application materials, and understanding what the selection committee is looking for are so critically important.
About HTW Berlin
HTW Berlin is the largest university of applied sciences in the German capital city of Berlin. It was founded in 1994 through the merger of several East Berlin universities of applied sciences, and today it is a modern, research-oriented institution with a strong focus on applied learning, international exchange, and professional development. HTW Berlin offers programs in engineering, computing, business, design, and social sciences, and it welcomes a large number of international students every year.
The university is located in one of the world’s most culturally rich and intellectually stimulating cities. Berlin is not just the capital of Germany. It is a global hub for politics, culture, research, startups, and international institutions. Living and studying in Berlin gives MIDE students access to embassies, international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and development agencies that can be invaluable for networking, internships, and future career opportunities.
HTW Berlin takes pride in its hands-on approach to education. The MIDE program at HTW Berlin is no exception. In addition to regular coursework, students have opportunities to engage in conferences, workshops, case studies, and research activities that connect classroom learning with real-world development challenges. The MIDE alumni network, which spans dozens of countries, is another powerful resource that students gain access to upon enrollment.
MIDE Scholarship 2027 Financial Benefits
Let us be very specific about what the DAAD EPOS Scholarship covers for MIDE 2027 students, because this is one of the most common questions applicants have. The scholarship is fully funded, meaning every significant financial need during your study period in Germany is addressed.
Service Fee Waiver
The MIDE program charges a service fee of 2,500 euros for all students. For DAAD scholarship recipients, this fee is completely waived. You pay nothing for the program itself. This is one of the most immediate and tangible financial benefits of the scholarship, and it removes one of the biggest barriers to participation for professionals from lower-income countries.
Monthly Living Stipend
DAAD scholarship holders receive a living stipend throughout the entire 17-month duration of the program. According to official DAAD figures, this amounts to approximately 11,208 euros per year, which works out to around 934 euros per month. This stipend is calibrated to cover the cost of accommodation, food, local transportation, and other day-to-day personal expenses in Berlin. While Berlin is one of Germany’s more affordable major cities, this stipend provides a realistic and livable income for a graduate student.
Study and Research Subsidy
In addition to the monthly living stipend, DAAD scholarship holders receive a study and research subsidy. This covers costs related to your academic work, including books, learning materials, software, and other study-related expenses that arise during the program.
Travel Allowance
The scholarship covers a subsidy for travel expenses to Germany at the start of the program and back to your home country after completion. This includes airfare and associated travel insurance for accidents and personal liability. This travel benefit is particularly significant for students coming from countries in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, where international flights can be a major financial burden.
Health Insurance
Living abroad for 17 months without health insurance is simply not an option, and DAAD takes care of this for you. Scholarship holders receive full health insurance coverage for the duration of the program. This covers both general medical care and emergency health situations, giving you and your family back home the peace of mind that you are protected while studying in Germany.
Accident and Personal Liability Insurance
Beyond health insurance, the DAAD EPOS Scholarship also includes payments toward accident and personal liability insurance. These are types of coverage that many students overlook but that are actually required in Germany and important for everyday life. Having these covered by the scholarship removes one more source of financial stress from your time in Berlin.
Preparatory German Language Course
Even though the MIDE program itself is taught entirely in English, DAAD scholarship holders are expected to participate in an intensive preparatory German language course held in February and March, just before the academic program begins in April. This is not just a formality. Learning basic German helps you navigate daily life in Berlin, build stronger connections with German colleagues and professors, and demonstrates DAAD’s commitment to helping scholars integrate into life in Germany as fully as possible. Scholarship holders are expected to arrive in Germany in February to participate in this training.
Family Allowance (Under Certain Circumstances)
Under certain circumstances, DAAD scholarship holders who are bringing eligible family members to Germany may receive an additional monthly family allowance. This benefit depends on the specific conditions of your scholarship award and your personal situation, so it is important to confirm the details with DAAD directly when you receive your offer.
Taken together, these financial benefits make the MIDE scholarship one of the most comprehensive fully funded opportunities available for professionals from developing countries who want to study economics in Europe.
Eligibility Requirements for the MIDE Scholarship 2027
The DAAD EPOS Scholarship for MIDE 2027 has a specific set of eligibility criteria. You need to meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the scholarship.
Citizenship from a Developing or Newly Industrialised Country
You must be a citizen of a developing or newly industrialised country to apply for the DAAD EPOS Scholarship. DAAD maintains an official list of eligible countries, which is based on the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) country classification. This list includes most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. You should check the official DAAD eligible countries list to confirm whether your country qualifies before you begin your application.
Minimum Two Years of Professional Experience
This is one of the most important eligibility requirements and one that often surprises applicants who have just recently graduated. To apply for the DAAD EPOS Scholarship for MIDE, you must have accumulated at least two full years of professional work experience after completing your undergraduate degree. This experience must be at the time of application, not at the time of enrollment. Fresh graduates are therefore not eligible for this scholarship.
The typical scholarship recipient is someone who works for a public authority, a state or private company in a developing country, and is involved in planning and executing projects related to development policy, technological progress, economic planning, or social development. The scholarship is designed for professionals who have real-world context for the academic material they will be studying, because that context is what allows them to apply their learning most effectively when they return home.
Graduated Within the Last Six Years
Your undergraduate degree must have been awarded no more than six years before the time of application. This ensures that scholarship holders are early to mid-career professionals rather than people who completed their degrees many years ago. If you graduated more than six years ago, you are not eligible for this scholarship, though you can still apply to the MIDE program as a self-funded student.
MIDE Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must also meet the general MIDE admission requirements. These are as follows.
You must hold a first university degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, or an equivalent qualification. This is typically a three to four year bachelor’s degree. You must also have completed at least 15 ECTS credits in Economics-related subjects as part of your undergraduate studies. For applicants from countries that do not use the ECTS credit system, this translates to at least three Economics-related modules in your degree program.
You must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English. If the language of instruction for your undergraduate degree was English, no additional proof is required and you simply need to provide official documentation confirming that your studies were conducted in English. If your undergraduate studies were not in English, you will need to submit accepted proof of English proficiency such as a TOEFL or IELTS score. The specific minimum score requirements should be confirmed on the official MIDE admissions page.
Academic Excellence
The DAAD selection committee looks specifically for applicants who graduated in the upper third of their class. Strong academic results are therefore an important component of a competitive scholarship application. While there is no single minimum GPA requirement stated for the scholarship, the guidance is clear: applicants with far above average academic results have a much stronger chance of being selected.
Required Documents for the MIDE Scholarship Application
Preparation is everything when it comes to a scholarship application as competitive as this one. Here is a complete list of the documents you will need to gather and prepare before the application window opens on July 1, 2026.
For the MIDE Program Application
A letter of motivation of a maximum of two pages, personally signed and dated. This letter should explain your specific motivation for applying to the MIDE program, your academic interests, and your professional and career goals. Note that if you are also applying for the DAAD scholarship, your DAAD motivation statement will serve as the MIDE motivation letter as well, so you do not need to write two separate motivation letters.
Official transcripts of records and your degree certificate or certificates, including your cumulative grade point average (CGPA). If your documents are not in English or German, official translations must be provided.
An explanation of the grading system at your previous university. This is usually already included in your transcript or your Diploma Supplement. If not, you should request this from your university’s registrar office.
A Curriculum Vitae in the Europass format. The Europass CV is a standardized European format that is widely used in Germany and across Europe. You can create a Europass CV for free at the official Europass website. Your CV must be personally signed and dated.
A copy of your passport for identity verification purposes.
Proof of English language proficiency, if required based on your previous educational background.
A secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent.
Additional Documents Required for the DAAD Scholarship
If you are applying for the DAAD scholarship alongside your MIDE application, which you should absolutely do if you are eligible, you need to submit the following additional documents.
The official DAAD application form and the DAAD checklist, both of which must be dated and personally signed. These forms are available on the DAAD scholarship database and through the MIDE application portal.
A statement of motivation specifically for the DAAD scholarship. This must be written on official letterhead, addressed to “The Selection Committee,” dated, and personally signed. This statement should explain why you are interested in attending the MIDE program with specific reference to your current employment. You should describe your development-related motivation clearly and explain how you intend to apply what you learn in Germany to contribute to social responsibility and development in your home country after the scholarship ends. This is the single most important document in your scholarship application. Write it with genuine depth and clarity. Generic motivation letters do not pass the selection committee’s review.
Proof of at least two years of professional work experience. Specifically, you need certificate or certificates of employment that include your exact position and the period of your employment. These letters must be on official letterhead, dated, signed, and carry an official stamp. Work contracts, pay slips, and letters of appointment are not accepted as proof of employment for the DAAD scholarship. Only properly certified employment certificates qualify.
A letter of recommendation from your current employer or employers, ideally one that includes a statement that your employer will support your return and ideally re-employ you after you complete the program in Germany. This letter must be on official letterhead, have a current date, be personally signed, and carry an official stamp. Academic reference letters are not required for the scholarship application, only employer letters.
One important note: for the DAAD scholarship, you are allowed to apply to a maximum of three EPOS postgraduate courses. If you are applying to more than one course, you must list them in order of priority in the DAAD application forms and ensure that this priority order is consistent across all your applications. All the courses must be listed in the same priority order across every application you submit.
Application Deadline and Timeline for MIDE 2027
Getting your timing right is absolutely critical for this scholarship. Here is the full official timeline for the MIDE 2027 intake.
The application window opens on July 1, 2026. This is the earliest you can submit your application through the official HTW Berlin online application portal. The application form will be available directly on the MIDE website from this date.
If you are applying with the DAAD scholarship, your complete application must be submitted by August 31, 2026. This is an earlier deadline than the general admission deadline, and missing it means you lose eligibility for the scholarship. The general application deadline for students applying without the DAAD scholarship is September 30, 2026.
The preparatory German language course takes place in February and March 2027. DAAD scholarship holders are expected to arrive in Germany in February 2027 to participate in this intensive language training.
The MIDE program officially begins in April 2027 and runs for approximately 17 to 18 months, covering three full semesters of study and thesis work.
One important procedural note: all MIDE applications are handled directly through HTW Berlin’s online application portal. You do not apply through Uni-Assist, which is a common application processing service used by many German universities. There is also no application fee for submitting your MIDE application, making this a zero-cost application process from the student’s side.
How to Apply for the MIDE Scholarship 2027 Step by Step
Here is a clear and practical step-by-step guide to help you navigate the application process from start to finish.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before you spend time preparing any documents, verify that you meet all the eligibility requirements. Confirm that your country is on the DAAD eligible countries list for developing and newly industrialised countries. Confirm that you have at least two years of professional experience after completing your undergraduate degree. Confirm that your undergraduate degree was awarded no more than six years ago. Confirm that your degree includes at least 15 ECTS credits or three modules in Economics. If all of these conditions are met, you are eligible to proceed.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents Well in Advance
Do not wait until July 1, 2026, to start gathering your documents. Many of the required materials, such as official employment certificates, employer recommendation letters, and certified translations of transcripts, take considerable time to obtain. Start reaching out to your employer’s HR department and your university’s registrar well before the application window opens. Give yourself at least one to two months of lead time for document collection.
Create your Europass CV now if you have not done so already. Take time to craft a compelling DAAD motivation statement that speaks authentically to your development-related work, your reasons for choosing the MIDE program, and your concrete plans for using your degree to make a positive impact in your home country. This statement can genuinely make or break your scholarship application, so invest real time and effort into it.
Step 3: Submit Your Online Application Through the HTW Berlin Portal
From July 1, 2026, the online application form will be available on the official MIDE website at HTW Berlin. Navigate to the applying section of the MIDE website and click on the application form link. Fill out the form carefully and completely. Inside the application form, there is a specific section for the DAAD scholarship application. Make sure to complete this section thoroughly if you are applying for the scholarship.
Upload all your documents as electronic copies in the formats specified in the application form. You do not need certified hardcopies at the application stage. These are only required if you are admitted and accept your study place. Electronic copies of your documents are sufficient for the entire application review process.
Step 4: Submit Before the Scholarship Deadline
If you are applying for the DAAD scholarship, ensure your entire application is submitted by August 31, 2026. Double-check that every required document is uploaded, every form is signed and dated, and your motivation statement is addressed correctly to the Selection Committee. After submission, the application is processed jointly by HTW Berlin and DAAD.
Note that due to the high volume of applications, HTW Berlin cannot confirm individual document receipts. If you are sending any documents by post, use a postal tracking service so you can verify delivery independently.
Step 5: Wait for the Selection Outcome
Applicants are selected by DAAD in cooperation with HTW Berlin. The selection process evaluates both your MIDE admission application and your DAAD scholarship application together. With around 800 applications received for only a small number of scholarship slots, the competition is fierce. Strong academic records, relevant professional experience, clearly articulated development motivation, and compelling employer support letters are all factors that strengthen your candidacy.
If you are selected for the scholarship, you will be notified by DAAD and HTW Berlin ahead of the February 2027 arrival date. Successful candidates will then need to arrange their German visa, prepare for relocation to Berlin, and complete any remaining administrative formalities before departing for Germany.
You can start your MIDE 2027 application on the official HTW Berlin MIDE applying page when the portal opens on July 1, 2026. You can also read the complete DAAD scholarship details on the official MIDE DAAD scholarship information page to understand every aspect of the funding and application requirements directly from the source.
What Makes a Strong DAAD EPOS Scholarship Application
The DAAD selection committee is looking for more than just high grades and a list of jobs. They are looking for people who have a clear, genuine, and credible narrative about why this program is the right investment for their development and for the development of their country. Here are some things that experienced MIDE applicants and DAAD scholarship winners consistently point to as differentiators.
First, your motivation statement must be specific and personal. A letter that reads like it could have been written by anyone from any country about any development program is not going to work. Your statement should reflect your concrete professional experience, name specific development challenges in your country or sector, and explain in detail how the MIDE program’s curriculum will equip you to address those challenges more effectively. The more specific and grounded your narrative, the more credible and compelling your application becomes.
Second, your employer’s recommendation letter carries enormous weight. A letter that simply confirms your employment dates and job title does little to strengthen your application. A letter that speaks to your initiative, your leadership, the development impact of your work, and your employer’s commitment to supporting your return is far more powerful. Brief your employer or supervisor clearly on what the DAAD selection committee is looking for so they can write you the most effective letter possible.
Third, your academic record should be strong. If you graduated in the top third of your class, make sure this is clearly visible in your transcripts. If your grading system is not self-explanatory, the explanation of your university’s grading scale becomes particularly important so the committee can accurately assess where you stand academically.
Fourth, be intentional about your development-related experience. DAAD is not looking for people who want to use the scholarship as a personal career advancement tool alone. They are looking for professionals who have already demonstrated a commitment to development work and who have credible plans to use their education in ways that contribute to the public good back home. Make sure your application communicates this clearly and sincerely.
Career Prospects After MIDE
One of the main questions prospective students ask is what they can do with a MIDE degree. The honest answer is that the career paths opened by this program are wide-ranging and genuinely impressive. MIDE graduates work in government ministries handling economic planning and policy, in international organizations including the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and African Development Bank, in non-governmental organizations working on poverty reduction and humanitarian economics, in private sector companies involved in international trade and development consulting, and in research institutions and universities across the developing world.
The combination of rigorous economic training, a German master’s degree from a reputable Berlin university, the DAAD alumni network, and the MIDE alumni community creates a professional profile that is genuinely competitive on the international job market. Many MIDE graduates report that the program significantly accelerated their career progression and opened doors to positions they would not have been able to access without it.
After graduation, participants also become part of the broader DAAD alumni network, which is a global community of hundreds of thousands of scholars who have studied in Germany under DAAD support. This network includes current and former leaders in government, academia, international finance, and civil society across more than 100 countries.
Final Thoughts
The MIDE Scholarship 2027 in Germany, fully funded by DAAD through the EPOS program, is one of the most impactful academic opportunities available to professionals from developing countries in the entire world. It combines excellent economic education, life in one of Europe’s most exciting cities, full financial coverage, and access to a global network of development professionals and DAAD alumni that opens doors long after graduation.
Yes, the competition is intense. Around 800 people apply for only a few scholarships. But that should not discourage you if you are genuinely qualified, genuinely motivated, and willing to put in the work to write a strong application. The people who win DAAD EPOS Scholarships are not necessarily the people with the highest GPAs or the most prestigious job titles. They are the people who tell the most credible, specific, and development-grounded story about why this scholarship is the right tool for them at this point in their career.
If that describes you, then the time to start preparing is now. Applications open on July 1, 2026, the scholarship deadline is August 31, 2026, and the program starts in April 2027. Use the months between now and July to gather your documents, strengthen your motivation statement, brief your employer, and position yourself as the strongest possible candidate.
Apply for the MIDE Scholarship 2027 through the official HTW Berlin application portal and take the first real step toward your fully funded master’s education in Germany.
