TU Dresden Tropical Forestry DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2027–29

Applications are open until 30 October 2026 for the fully funded DAAD EPOS route to TU Dresden’s English-taught MSc Tropical Forestry, starting in October 2027. Master’s scholars receive €992 per month, insurance support and a travel allowance under DAAD conditions. This opportunity suits forestry professionals who want to connect postgraduate training with development work in their home countries.

Official information checked: 5 October 2026. Awards are competitive; admission alone does not guarantee funding.

Country
Germany

University
TU Dresden

Study level
Master’s • 2027–29 intake

Teaching language
English

Funding
DAAD EPOS • €992 monthly

Scholarship deadline
30 October 2026

Illustrative forestry students examining trees, with TU Dresden DAAD EPOS funding and deadline — AI-generated illustrative forestry research scene; not a documentary photograph of TU Dresden.

Funding and benefits

The university’s current call describes this as a fully funded scholarship. DAAD’s EPOS award provides a €992 monthly graduate stipend, payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance, and a travel allowance unless another source covers the travel costs. Rent and accompanying-family allowances may be available only under specified conditions.

TU Dresden states that the programme charges no tuition, although students pay a semester contribution. Do not assume every incidental expense is reimbursed. Check the award letter for the individual funding period, allowances and payment arrangements.

Who can apply?

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in forestry or a related subject.
Eligibility under DAAD’s current developing-country list.
At least two years of relevant professional experience after the bachelor’s degree, documented by employers.
Strong academic performance and a convincing development-related motivation.
Suitable English proficiency.

DAAD normally expects degrees to be no more than six years old; applicants resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the deadline cannot be considered under the published EPOS rules. Consult DAAD’s full conditions before applying.

English requirements

The programme’s application page lists IELTS 6.0 overall, TOEFL iBT 80 or a signed and stamped university certificate confirming English as the medium of bachelor’s instruction. DAAD’s general checklist requests recent IELTS or TOEFL proof and rejects institutional TOEFL. Applicants using a medium-of-instruction certificate should confirm its acceptance for their scholarship application with the programme; meeting the language requirement does not guarantee selection.

Required documents

Use the current DAAD checklist and the programme portal’s mandatory fields as the final submission checklist. Prepare:

Completed DAAD checklist and signed EPOS application form.
CV with a complete study and employment timeline.
Motivation letter explaining academic aims and development impact.
Current employer recommendation and employment certificates proving qualifying experience.
Degree certificates and transcripts, with translations and grading explanation where required.
Language evidence and any applicable APS documentation.
A research concept note for a possible master’s thesis and a recent JPG/JPEG photograph.

Keep readable scans and copies of every file. The programme’s research concept note may be no longer than two pages; follow the structure specified on its application page.

How to apply

Check eligibility: compare your qualifications, work experience and country with the official programme and DAAD requirements.
Prepare documents: complete and sign the DAAD form; assemble the checklist and supporting evidence.
Register: create an account in the MSc Tropical Forestry application portal and confirm your email.
Submit: log in, fill all mandatory fields, upload the required documents and finish submission before the deadline. Keep the confirmation.
Monitor messages: respond to official requests and interview invitations. If nominated, follow DAAD’s subsequent portal instructions.

The current programme instructions require the online portal. Initial applications are not accepted by email or post. Avoid substituting the self-financed admission procedure for the EPOS scholarship route.

Deadline and intake

Scholarship applications: 1 September–30 October 2026. Classes begin in October 2027 for the 2027–29 intake. The call does not state an exact closing hour or time zone, so do not assume a midnight cutoff. Submit early and follow any timestamp displayed in the portal.

This is the DAAD EPOS deadline. Self-financed admission and Erasmus Mundus funding have different application windows.

Selection criteria and process

DAAD considers academic strength, relevant experience, language skills and development-related motivation. TU Dresden first checks applications, then reviews shortlisted candidates jointly with DAAD and invites selected applicants to an online interview. The university indicates results around March–April of the following year, with admission letters from April onward. These are guidance timings, not an individual guarantee.

Practical applicant tips

Connect your professional experience to a specific forestry challenge you can address after graduation.
Choose a feasible thesis concept: a clear question, accessible data and realistic methods are more persuasive than a very broad ambition.
Check that CV dates match employment letters and transcripts.
Inspect every scan at normal reading size and name files clearly before uploading.
Leave time for employer signatures, translations and portal problems.

Frequently asked questions

Is the scholarship currently open?

Yes. The current university call accepts applications through 30 October 2026 for the October 2027 start.

Can I apply without professional experience?

The EPOS scholarship requires at least two years of qualifying professional experience after the bachelor’s degree.

Is IELTS always compulsory?

TU Dresden lists several language-evidence options, including a university medium-of-instruction certificate. Check scholarship-route acceptance with the programme before relying on that alternative.

Should I send my application directly to DAAD?

Start through the Tropical Forestry programme portal. DAAD portal uploads may follow if you are nominated.

Does “fully funded” mean selection is automatic?

No. Scholarship places are limited and awarded through a competitive review.

Related opportunities on ScholarshipHubNow

Freiburg DAAD-MEG Scholarship 2027/28 — another environmental master’s funding route in Germany.
MIPDaL Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027–28 — compare a different international master’s programme.
EMMIR Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027 — an alternative for applicants interested in migration studies.