So, while “fully funded” is often used loosely, many DAAD scholarships can get very close to that level if your program’s fees are low or waived.

How to approach this as a student from Nigeria / Kenya / Asia — step by step

Here’s a realistic timeline and action plan for applying to DAAD CS/AI scholarships, especially aiming for the €934 stipend or equivalent support.

Step 1: Identify relevant DAAD calls & programs (12 months ahead)

• Visit the DAAD scholarship database and filter by subject (Computer Science, AI, Engineering) and by your country region.

• Look specifically for calls like “Zuse School / SECAI / AI excellence schools”, which mention the 934 EUR stipend.

• Compile a shortlist (3–5) of DAAD calls for which you might be eligible.

Step 2: Match programs and universities (11–9 months ahead)

• Identify German universities offering computer science or AI programs that align with your interests.

• Check their entry requirements (GPA, background in CS, programming skills).

• Find if these universities have internal scholarship or research assistant positions.

• Contact potential supervisors in Germany whose research aligns with yours.

Step 3: Prepare your profile & supporting materials (9–6 months ahead)

• Get transcripts, degree certificates, and translations if necessary.

• Prepare a strong CV / resume highlighting CS/AI projects, internships, open-source contributions, competitions, etc.

• Draft your Statement of Purpose (SOP) or research proposal.

• Secure 2–3 strong reference letters (from professors or supervisors who know your technical work).

• Prepare proof of English (and German, if required). Some DAAD calls require a language certificate, others accept prior English-medium instruction.

Step 4: Submit university applications (6–4 months ahead)

• Apply to German universities (some require university admission separately) along with or before the DAAD deadline.

• If your program requires conditional English or German, request that your application be considered with your language plans included.

Step 5: Submit DAAD scholarship application (4–2 months ahead)

• Use the DAAD portal as specified by the call.

• Upload all required documents (Diplomas, transcripts, CV, SOP, references, language certificate or proof).

• In your application, emphasize your technical strengths, your vision in AI/CS, and how stipend support (934 EUR) will help you thrive.

• If you foresee rent difficulty, address it (some calls allow you to request rent subsidy).

• Submit before the deadline — late or incomplete applications are typically rejected. DAAD

Step 6: Interview / evaluation (1–2 months ahead)

• If shortlisted, you may be asked interviews or clarifications about your technical proposal or your past CS work.

• Be ready to explain in simple terms your research plan, algorithms, datasets, and your long-term goals.

• Also be prepared to discuss the allowance (like 934 EUR) and how you plan to budget in Germany.

Step 7: Accept offer & prepare logistics (after selection)

• Accept the DAAD scholarship offer formally.

• Organize visa, housing (research dorms or private housing), health insurance, travel.

• If your call includes rent subsidy, confirm how to claim it.

• Arrive in Germany and enroll, ensuring you meet any conditions (e.g. maintaining academic performance).

Key insights & practical tips

• The monthly stipend is real in many calls (especially in AI/CS excellence schools) — 934 EUR for master’s-level students is well documented in DAAD calls.

• Don’t assume full accommodation is guaranteed — rent subsidy might be part of the support, but full free housing is rare.

• Verify whether tuition needs coverage — many German public universities have no or low tuition for international students, but some states or private programs may charge fees. Even then, DAAD may or may not cover them.

• Show strong technical credentials — your CS/AI project, programming depth, research potential, and supervisor alignment matter heavily.

• Manage language requirements early — whether German or English, ensure you meet or plan to meet the requirement stipulated in the call.

• Request rent subsidy if needed — in high-rent cities like Munich, Berlin, you may need extra support; some DAAD calls allow you to claim extra subsidy.

• Track deadlines carefully — DAAD calls, university application windows, and reference deadlines all must align.

Your Statement of Purpose — structural guide (CS/AI context)

Here’s a clean structure you can follow:

1. Opening Hook (1 paragraph): Start with a crisp story or problem in your country that tech/AI/computer science can solve (e.g. “When my local weather station failed, I built a small sensor network…”).

2. Technical Foundation (1 paragraph): Your background: key CS courses, projects, internships, coding challenges, open-source contributions.

3. Research / Study Plan (1–2 paragraphs): What you want to study in Germany (field, method, datasets, algorithms, research question).

4. Fit with DAAD / funding need (1 paragraph): Why you need the stipend (934 EUR) and what you’ll do to manage costs.

5. Impact & Return (1 paragraph): How you’ll apply your CS/AI training in Nigeria, Kenya, or Asia (industry, research, public problems).

6. Conclusion (1 paragraph): Reaffirm your commitment, readiness, and how this opportunity aligns with your purpose.

Make your narratives concrete and data-driven (e.g. “I improved accuracy by 15% in dataset X”, “I led a team of 5 in building a prediction app used by 500 users”).

Common mistakes — and how to avoid them

• Mistake: Assuming stipend (934 EUR) covers everything
  Fix: Budget carefully — rent, transport, materials, etc. Secure rent subsidy if possible.

• Mistake: Weak references or vague technical letter
  Fix: Choose referees who know your CS/AI work deeply and can comment on your potential.

• Mistake: Ignoring language requirement
  Fix: Even if DAAD calls accept alternate proof, confirm and meet it (English or German).

• Mistake: Submitting after deadline
  Fix: Prepare a timeline and submit early.

• Mistake: Not aligning your project with funding call goals
  Fix: If the call is “AI excellence school,” tailor your proposal to the call’s theme.

FAQs (short & helpful)

Q: Does DAAD cover tuition for CS/AI programs?
A: DAAD scholarships generally focus on stipends and allowances. Many public German universities don’t charge tuition, so DAAD may not need to cover it. But in cases where fees apply, check if the specific call covers “study costs.”

Q: Is €934 always guaranteed?
A: Only in certain DAAD calls, especially for master’s-level or AI excellence school programs. Always check the call announcement.

Q: Will I get accommodation included?
A: Rarely fully. A rent subsidy or partial support is more common, depending on the call and your location.

Q: Can I bring family members under the scholarship?
A: Some calls allow family allowances or spousal support, but it depends heavily on the program.

Q: Is there flexibility to work part-time?
A: Many DAAD calls allow limited additional income, but exceeding set caps (often ~€450 gross) may reduce your stipend.

Q: Can I apply in my final undergraduate year?
A: In some DAAD calls that allow last-year students, yes — but you must have your full degree by the time funding begins.

Real-world example snapshot: SECAI AI school

Let’s look at SECAI (Embedded Composite Artificial Intelligence, Zuse School) as a concrete case:

• It’s a specialized DAAD-backed school for AI / related subjects.

• It offers €934 monthly allowance for master’s students under its program.

• It requires proof of English proficiency (or equivalent) and a strong AI/computing profile.

• Any extra income may reduce the scholarship.

This is exactly the kind of premium program that approximates your ideal — but it’s narrow and highly competitive.

Conclusion: How close is your “fully funded €934/month CS scholarship” dream?

The truth is this: your dream is ambitious — and parts of it are real in certain DAAD scholarship calls (e.g. CS / AI excellence programs that offer 934 EUR monthly stipend). But “fully funded with free accommodation” is less common, and depends heavily on the specific call, university, and location.

If I were advising you, here’s how to tilt things in your favor:

1. Find the right DAAD call (AI, computing, excellence schools) — focus on those with 934 EUR allowances.

2. Build a standout technical profile (projects, research, publications, internships).

3. Meet or plan for language requirements — English or German, as needed.

4. Apply to multiple calls — not just one; spread risk.

5. Negotiate rent subsidies or housing support in your budget proposal or when you land in Germany.

“You don’t wait for opportunity — you design it. In compute, synthesize your capacity, sharpen your vision, and let German opportunity match your ambition.”