Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Master’s Scholarships

Through the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) strives to contribute to promoting good governance and civil society structures in developing and emerging countries.

Scholarship Overview

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (also known as Master’s in Public Policy and Good Governance) supports future leaders from developing countries who want to promote democracy and social justice in their home countries.
This scholarship program offers these future leaders master’s courses in disciplines that are of special relevance to the social, political, and economic development of their home countries, preparing them in a practice-oriented course for responsible positions in or for their regions of origin.

Host School(s)

Field(s) of Study

Master of Analysis and Design of Social Protection Systems at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg.
Master of Development and Governance at University of Duisburg-Essen.
Master of Public Policy (MPP) at University of Erfurt.
Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.
Master of Management in Nonprofit-Organizations at University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück.
Master of Governance and Public Policy at University of Passau.
Development Studies at University of Passau.
Master of Public Management (MPM) at University of Potsdam.

What does the scholarship cover?

Recipients of this scholarship receive:

A scholarship of €931 per month
Health insurance cover
Appropriate travel allowances for travel between Germany and the respective developing countries
A study and research grant
Rent subsidies and family supplements, as applicable
A German language course in Germany, lasting up to 6 months before the commencement of the master’s program. This language course is mandatory.

How many scholarships are given?

Which countries are targeted?

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro,
North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,
Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan,
Palestinian territories, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, Angola, Benin, Botswana,
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad,
Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, Congo Democratic Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti,
Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda,
São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa,
South Sudan, Sudan. Tanzania. Togo. Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Asia,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia,
Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia,
Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, North Korea, Papua N. Guinea, Philippines,
Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu, Vietnam, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala,
Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia,
St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Venezuela.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you must;

Be a graduate applicant from a developing country
Have a bachelor’s degree in the fields of social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration.
Be willing to actively contribute to the social, political, and economic development of their home countries/regions.
Have already gained practical experience relevant to the program – professional experience, internships, or political/social commitment.

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

All applications must be submitted in English or German.
Please indicate clearly that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Master’s scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance).
You may apply for up to two courses of study as follows:
- Please complete the DAAD application form and indicate your selected master’s course or courses, in the latter case clearly indicating your first and second priority.
- When you are applying for two master’s courses, please submit a single application for both master’s courses and only one letter of motivation. In this letter, you should explain in detail why you chose the respective master’s courses as well as your reasons for prioritizing them.
- Submit the application form to the master’s courses of your choice (no more than two), along with the required documents (see below).

NOTE:

Required Documents

The Checklist form, signed with place and date indicated.
The DAAD application form indicated “Application for a research/study scholarship.”
A single letter of motivation for both master’s courses if you are applying for two courses at the same time including a precise account of your academic, professional, and personal reasons for wishing to participate in the programme, as well as a detailed explanation of your choice of master’s courses and prioritization, no more than two pages long.
A curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (please use the euro pass template) including exact information about your studies, and details on any practical experience.
Copies of your higher education degree certificates with certified translations if the original language is not German or English.
A copy of your full set of transcripts or academic records. Please explain the grading system if this is not part of the transcript.
A written confirmation of any work experience, internship, or professional experience and/or proof of any political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or working for charities or NGOs. This must be printed on headed paper, including a signature, the date of issue, and a stamp.
Recent language certificates (for English and/or German).
A current written reference from your current employer or a university lecturer if you are a student at present, on headed paper, signed, dated, and stamped.

Selection Criteria

Academic, professional, and personal motivation for the study endeavour in Germany and for choosing and prioritizing the master’s courses.
Motivation relating to the goals of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme.
Practical experience relevant to the programme (work experience, internships or professional experience, political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or working for charities or NGOs).
A first higher education degree completed with above-average grades (top third of graduates)

Closing Date

How do I get more information?