DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship 2027Fully Funded Master’s in Germany
Fully funded MSc in water resources at TH Köln, Germany — for MENA professionals
The DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship 2027 offers international students from eligible developing countries the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Resources Management with a focus on the Middle…
- Host
- TH Köln
- Age limit
- None
- Degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Experience
- Minimum 2 years
Applying
Common questions
Is this scholarship funded?
DAAD
Who can apply?
Nationality: Least Developed Countries & Low-Income Countries, Lower Middle-Income Countries and Territories, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, China, Fiji, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Botswana, Gabon, Libya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, OECD DAC nations
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Age: None
Is there an application fee?
None
When is the deadline?
15 November 2026
How do I apply?
Apply directly on the official website: th-koeln.de. Potenue does not collect applications.
Full description
The DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship 2027 offers international students from eligible developing countries the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Resources Management with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (IWRM-MENA) at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
The programme is jointly connected with the German Jordanian University (GJU) and includes a compulsory semester in Jordan. Selected DAAD EPOS scholars receive financial support for 24 months, including a monthly scholarship payment, insurance contributions and a travel allowance.
For the September 2027 intake, the scholarship application period runs from 1 September to 15 November 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
What Is the DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship?
The Integrated Water Resources Management – MENA (IWRM-MENA) programme is a Master’s programme designed around water-resource challenges affecting the Middle East and North Africa.
The programme combines study in Germany with a compulsory third-semester exchange at the German Jordanian University in Amman, Jordan.
Students also complete their Master’s thesis with a MENA-focused topic under joint supervision from the two university partners.
Through the DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme, a limited number of highly qualified applicants can receive scholarships to undertake development-oriented postgraduate study in Germany.
What Does the DAAD EPOS Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship provides substantial financial support for selected students.
€992 Monthly Scholarship
DAAD currently lists a monthly scholarship payment of €992 for graduates.
This is intended to help cover living expenses during the funded study period.
Health, Accident and Personal Liability Insurance
DAAD provides payments toward:
- Health insurance
- Accident insurance
- Personal liability insurance
The exact insurance arrangements are subject to the DAAD scholarship conditions.
Travel Allowance
A travel allowance is provided unless the travel expenses are already covered by the applicant’s home country or another funding source.
Possible Additional Benefits
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, DAAD may provide additional benefits such as:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Allowance for accompanying family members
These additional benefits are not automatic for every scholar.
Is the DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship Fully Funded?
Yes, TH Köln describes the IWRM-MENA DAAD opportunity as a full scholarship, and the programme provides substantial financial support covering the major costs associated with studying in Germany.
However, applicants should not interpret “fully funded” as meaning that every possible personal expense is automatically paid.
Potential Personal Expenses
| Expense | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Application fee | No fee |
| Monthly living support | €992/month |
| Health insurance | Supported by DAAD |
| Accident insurance | Supported by DAAD |
| Personal liability insurance | Supported by DAAD |
| Travel | Travel allowance, subject to DAAD conditions |
| Rent | Living stipend; additional rent subsidy may apply in certain circumstances |
| Family allowance | May apply under certain circumstances |
| Language test | Potential applicant expense |
| Document translation | Potential applicant expense if required |
| Personal expenses beyond scholarship | Applicant’s responsibility |
TH Köln explicitly states that the entire application process is free of charge, so there is no application fee.
If documents are issued in a language other than German or English, applicants must provide a translation into German or English by a sworn translator. That can therefore be a potential personal expense.
Who Can Apply?
The DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA scholarship is targeted at graduates from DAC-list countries, including eligible countries in the MENA region.
Applicants must meet both:
- The admission requirements of the IWRM-MENA Master’s programme, and
- The additional requirements of the DAAD EPOS scholarship.
Minimum Degree Required
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree, normally a four-year degree, in an appropriate or related subject.
The IWRM-MENA programme also requires evidence of a connection to Integrated Water Resources Management through previous studies, with at least 15 ECTS related to the field.
Academic Grade Requirement
The Master’s programme requires a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade equivalent to 3.0 in the German grading system, where 1.0 is the best grade and 4.0 is the minimum passing grade.
Work Experience Requirement
This is an important requirement.
DAAD EPOS applicants must have at least two years of relevant professional experience after completing their first degree at the time of application.
TH Köln further states that applicants should generally be working for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and be involved in planning or implementing development-related directives or projects with technological, economic or social relevance.
Therefore, this scholarship is not intended for fresh Bachelor’s graduates without relevant professional experience.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency.
The programme accepts:
- IELTS: minimum 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 79
- Cambridge First (FCE)
The English-language certificate must generally be no more than five years old.
TH Köln’s scholarship information also refers to IELTS Band 6 and TOEFL requirements for non-native English speakers.
Relevant Academic Background
Applicants need a previous academic background related to Integrated Water Resources Management.
The programme requires evidence of at least 15 ECTS related to IWRM through previous studies.
Applicants should therefore carefully check whether their Bachelor’s coursework provides sufficient relevance before applying.
Development-Related Motivation
DAAD EPOS is not simply a merit-based scholarship.
Applicants must demonstrate that their studies and future plans are connected to development-related work.
Scholarship candidates are expected to:
- Demonstrate development-related motivation
- Take on social responsibility
- Contribute to change processes in their professional and personal environment after completing their studies
This development focus is a central part of the EPOS selection process.
Compulsory Semester in Jordan
One of the distinctive features of IWRM-MENA is that students do not study exclusively in Germany.
The programme requires a compulsory third-semester exchange at the German Jordanian University in Amman, Jordan.
Students must also complete a Master’s thesis focused on a MENA region or country, with joint supervision from TH Köln and the German Jordanian University.
This means applicants should be comfortable with the programme’s international and mobility requirements before applying.
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare the Master’s programme application as well as additional documents required for the DAAD EPOS scholarship.
The programme requires documents including:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency
- Motivation letter
- Research proposal
- Evidence of relevant professional experience
- Employment documentation
- Other DAAD EPOS scholarship documents
The programme-specific motivation letter must be no longer than 500 words.
Applicants must explain their motivation for studying IWRM-MENA, their interest in the Germany-Jordan joint programme, how their previous education or experience relates to the programme, and their future aspirations.
A two-page research proposal related to the IWRM-MENA programme is also required.
The research topic should focus on the MENA region, relate to the programme content and demonstrate academic/scientific relevance.
How to Apply
The application consists of two main steps.
Step 1: Complete the Online Registration
Applicants must complete the designated online registration/application form for scholarship applicants.
Step 2: Submit the Complete Application by Email
Applicants must send the required Master’s programme and scholarship documents together as one PDF file.
The file must:
- Be no larger than 20 MB
- Contain documents in the required order
- Include the required signatures/stamps where applicable
- Follow the required file-naming format
The application must be sent to:
IWRM-MENA-application@th-koeln.de
TH Köln states that incomplete, late or formally incorrect applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline
For the September 2027 intake, the DAAD EPOS scholarship application deadline is:
15 November 2026
TH Köln states that the IWRM-MENA scholarship application period runs from 1 September to 15 November each year for admission in the following September.
Applicants should not wait until the final day because the application requires multiple documents and a research proposal.
Scholarship Duration
The DAAD EPOS scholarship for IWRM-MENA is funded for 24 months.
The programme therefore provides financial support across the two-year Master’s period, subject to the scholarship conditions.
Selection Process
The process involves multiple stages.
First, applicants submit their application directly to the IWRM-MENA programme at TH Köln.
The university reviews the applications and identifies candidates for DAAD scholarship consideration.
DAAD then conducts the relevant scholarship selection process for nominated candidates.
Importantly, admission to the Master’s programme does not automatically guarantee a DAAD scholarship.
The scholarship is limited and highly competitive.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
1. The scholarship is competitive
TH Köln offers only a limited number of DAAD EPOS scholarships for highly qualified applicants.
2. Two years of experience is essential
Applicants should have at least two years of relevant professional experience after their Bachelor’s degree.
3. Your academic background must be relevant
The programme requires at least 15 ECTS related to Integrated Water Resources Management.
4. The Jordan semester is compulsory
The third semester at the German Jordanian University is part of the programme and is not optional.
5. Your research proposal matters
The research proposal must focus on a topic relevant to IWRM-MENA and have a MENA-region focus.
6. There is no application fee
TH Köln explicitly confirms that the application process is free of charge.
DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship 2027 Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Scholarship applications open | 1 September 2026 |
| Application deadline | 15 November 2026 |
| Selection/application review | After submission |
| Admission decision | April |
| Programme begins | September 2027 |
| Scholarship duration | 24 months |
| Compulsory Jordan semester | 3rd semester |
TH Köln states that final IWRM-MENA admission results are expected in April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship 2027 open?
Yes. Applications for the September 2027 intake are currently open, with a deadline of 15 November 2026.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
TH Köln describes it as a full scholarship. DAAD provides €992 per month for graduates, insurance contributions and a travel allowance, with additional benefits potentially available under certain conditions.
Is there an application fee?
No. TH Köln states that the entire application process is free of charge.
How much is the monthly scholarship?
The current DAAD EPOS rate for graduates is €992 per month.
Do I need work experience?
Yes. At least two years of relevant professional experience after your Bachelor’s degree is required for the DAAD EPOS scholarship.
Is there an age limit?
No separate age limit is stated on the current TH Köln IWRM-MENA pages. However, the academic degree should normally be no more than six years old.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Yes, unless you meet the programme’s applicable exemption conditions. The programme lists IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79 among its accepted English qualifications.
Is the semester in Jordan compulsory?
Yes. The third-semester exchange at the German Jordanian University is compulsory.
Can I apply without relevant water-resource studies?
The programme requires evidence of a relation to IWRM through previous studies, including at least 15 ECTS related to Integrated Water Resources Management.
Does admission to IWRM-MENA guarantee the DAAD scholarship?
No. Admission to the Master’s programme and selection for the DAAD scholarship are separate competitive considerations.
Final Note
The DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship 2027 is a strong opportunity for professionals from eligible developing countries who want to specialize in integrated water resources management while gaining international academic experience in Germany and Jordan.
The most important points to remember are the 15 November 2026 deadline, the two-year relevant work-experience requirement, the requirement for an academic background connected to IWRM, and the compulsory third-semester exchange in Jordan.
The application itself is free, while DAAD provides substantial financial support through the scholarship.
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All quick facts
- Detail
- Information
- Opportunity
- DAAD EPOS IWRM-MENA Scholarship 2027
- Minimum Degree Required
- Bachelor’s degree
- Age Limit
- None
- Work Experience
- Minimum 2 years
- University
- TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
- Partner University
- German Jordanian University
- Study Programme
- Integrated Water Resources Management – MENA
- Study Level
- Master’s
- Study Location
- Cologne, Germany + compulsory semester in Jordan
- Funding Body
- DAAD
- Scholarship Type
- DAAD EPOS
- Funding Duration
- 24 months
- Monthly Scholarship
- €992 for graduates
- Insurance
- Contributions toward health, accident and personal liability insurance
- Travel Support
- Travel allowance, subject to DAAD conditions
- Application Fee
- None
- Application Deadline
- 15 November 2026
- Programme Start
- September 2027
- Eligible Countries
- Least Developed Countries & Low-Income Countries, Lower Middle-Income Countries and Territories, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, China, Fiji, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Botswana, Gabon, Libya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, OECD DAC nations
