DAAD Leadership for Africa Master's Degree Scholarships in Germany 2022

The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger and Senegal at higher education institutions in Germany. In times of conflicts and displacement in various African countries, this programme intends to contribute to the education of future leaders, who will be essential for the further development of their home countries. “Leadership for Africa” offers scholarships for Master studies in Germany to qualified applicants in all fields of study except for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Arts and Architecture. All “Leadership for Africa” scholarship holders benefit from a complementary training programme in good governance, civil society and career development. The mandatory programme must be completed in addition to the regular studies.

About German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

DAAD scholarship in Germany is a private, federally funded and state-funded, self governing national agency of the institutions of higher education in Germany, representing 365 German higher education institutions (100 universities and technical universities, 162 general universities of applied sciences, and 52 colleges of music and art) [2003]. The DAAD itself does not offer programs of study or courses, but awards competitive, merit-based grants for use toward study and/or research in Germany at any of the accredited German institutions of higher education. It also awards grants to German...... read more

Leadership for Africa Master's Degree Scholarships

Aim and Benefits of Leadership for Africa Master's Degree Scholarships

• If necessary: Language course (2, 4 or 6 months) in Germany before the start of the study programme, including the coverage of the test fees for a German language certificate (TestDaF or DSH test), pocket money and accommodation. The DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and project. Participation in a language course is compulsory if the study programme is taught in German.
• Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!
• Monthly scholarship rate payments of 861 EURO
• Adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance in Germany
• Travel allowance
• Yearly study allowance
• If applicable, monthly rent subsidy and monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children)

Requirements for Leadership for Africa Master's Degree Scholarships Qualification

The programme targets two groups: 1) Highly qualified refugees who hold refugee status and fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany. Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted before April 18th, 2022
• Country of asylum must be either Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger or Senegal
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

2) Highly qualified graduates from Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger or Senegal who fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany. Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Citizenship of either Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger or Senegal
• Country of residence is Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger or Senegal
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

Interview date, Process and Venue for Leadership for Africa Master's Degree Scholarships

A pre-selection will take place based on the submitted application documents. Only complete applications with all mandatory documents will be considered. Preselected candidates will be invited to an (digital) interview with an independent selection committee of university professors. In addition to previous achievements in school and university, language skills and the general motivation, the main selection criterion is a convincing description of the planned studies in Germany and the suitable choice of study programmes in the DAAD form "Study course profile". To ensure equal opportunities, social criteria such as special life circumstances, migration background or students from non-academic families can play a role. Criteria such as social engagement about which you can provide information in the application form are also considered.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Please note that all documents must be uploaded to the DAAD portal. Incomplete applications will be formally rejected and will be excluded from the application process. The following documents may be scanned in non-certified form and uploaded to the DAAD portal. If you submit documents in your national language, you must include English or German translations. Required documents:

• Online DAAD application form duly completed (available on the DAAD portal)
• Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) containing information about your academic career to date, former scholarships, current address and current or previous employers. (Please use the European specimen form at https://europa.eu/europass/en)
• Letter of Motivation (1-3 pages) containing a precise description of your academic/professional and personal reasons for the planned study project. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / Section B, Point 1.
• DAAD Form "Study course profile" duly completed (please specify 3 Master’s programmes). Please be aware that DAAD does not consider your suggestions of master programmes which charge tuition fees. This should be taken into consideration while deciding for the master programmes.
• Proof of necessary language skills for the desired master programmes. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, Point 9.
• University degree certificate indicating final grade(s) including transcripts of records for all study years with all individual grades incl. explanation of grading system
• Copies of your passport/national identification card and copies of your passport’s/national identification card’s biodata page and other documents containing information about you and your current residence status
• For refugees: UNHCR registration or official proof of asylum by authorities

For more details, visit DAAD website.