DAAD Masters Scholarship for African Students (Fully-funded) 2023

The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo 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's 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

DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Programme

Aim and Benefits of DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Programme

The scholarship includes:

• German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the university studies
• Tuition-free M.A. or M.Sc. degree programme at a public or state-recognized university in Germany starting in winter term 2024 (September/October 2024)
• Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!

Duration of the funding

Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April 2024 at the earliest and take up their studies at a German institution of higher education by approx. October 1st, 2024. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen programme. In general, eligible Master’s programmes require two years of full-time study.

Value

• German language course (up to 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 (only during the language course). The DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and study requirements. Participation in a language course is compulsory.
• Monthly scholarship rate payments of 934 EURO
• Adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance in Germany
• Travel allowance
• Yearly study allowance
• Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!
• If applicable, monthly rent subsidy and monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children) Please note that family reunions may be time-delayed or even not be possible during the duration of the scholarship, due to the duration of the visa processes for some home or host countries.

Requirements for DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Programme Qualification

• Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application which meets the requirements of German universities for entering a Master’s degree.
• A Bachelor's degree of at least 2nd class upper division level is required
• As a rule, not more than 6 years should have passed since the completion of the last academic degree (see important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, point 2)
• Good English or good German language skills
• For Refugees: Copy of Refugee ID card issued before 03.04.2022.

Interview date, Process and Venue for DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Programme

Selection

• 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 university (Bachelor's degree), 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 taken into account.

Documents Required for Application

• 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. Please also note the information on how to fill in the form 'Study course profile'. The form can be subject to change every year, therefore only access the most recent version by using the link above.
• Applicants who already hold a Master's degree or are in the process of completing a Master's degree can only be considered in well-justified cases, if they can explain conclusively, why they would like to obtain another master's degree. Please fill in the form “Additional Master’s Degree”.
• Proof of necessary language skills for the desired master's 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: Refugee ID-Card and UNHCR registration or official proof of asylum by authorities or government.

Optional: Other documents that might be of relevance to your application (e.g., certificates of employment and/or internship, proof of former scholarships, extracurricular engagement, recommendation letters, (expired) admissions to a German master programme).

Application Deadline

How to Apply

1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>) 2. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)

• Download and complete the online application form
• Prepare application documents
• If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
• Scan paper documents (except references) and save in PDF format. Please note that you can only upload PDF files to the portal.
• Upload the completed application form and the other application documents to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
• Submit the uploaded application documents online.

For more details,visit DAAD website