Summary
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Host Country | Germany |
| Type | Masters |
| Eligible Countries | Eligible countries |
| Coverage | €992/month, Health insurance, research grant, rent subsidies, travel allowances |
Application deadline | July 31, 2025 |
Overview
The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme is also known as the Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance. It offers fully funded Masters scholarships for students from developing countries to study in Germany.
It supports future leaders from developing countries who want to promote democracy and social justice in their home countries. The programme is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Coverage
The scholarship holders will receive
- €992 per month
- Health insurance coverage in Germany
- Appropriate travel allowances for travel between Germany and the respective developing and emerging countries
- A study and research grant
- Rent subsidies and family supplements, as applicable
- Preceding German language course in Germany, lasting up to 4 months; participation is mandatory
The following deviation regarding funding benefits applies for the “Social Protection” master’s course due to its blended learning concept: A sur place rate of € 500 per month is paid in the 4th semester (mandatory online semester in the student’s country of origin or another developing/emerging country).
List of DAAD Helmut Schmidt Eligible Universities
- University of Erfurt
- University of Passau
- University of Potsdam
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg
- Otto Von Guericke University Magdeburg
- University of Applied Sciences Osnabruck
DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme Study Fields
- Analysis and Design of Social Protection Systems
- Development and Governance
- Public Policy
- Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)
- Management in Nonprofit Organisation
- Governance and Public Policy
- Development Studies
- Public Management (MPM)
The courses have an international focus and are offered in English. Applicants may apply for up to two master’s courses.
Eligibility Requirements
- A first university degree with above-average grades (upper third) in Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy, and Administration
- Willing to actively contribute to the social, political, and economic development of their home countries/regions
- Those who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment)
Required Documents
- Signed DAAD application form
- Letter of motivation max. two pages long (a single letter of motivation even when applying for two master’s courses) including the date of issue and a precise account of your academic, professional and personal reasons for wishing to participate in the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, as well as a detailed explanation of your choice of master’s course(s), indicating why your first choice is your first choice, why your second choice is your second choice and how they will advance you academically and professionally. You must provide the same letter of motivation to both courses you are applying for)
- A Europass format CV in reverse chronological order (include date and explain any gaps)
- Copies of bachelor’s degree certificate (with certified translation if necessary)
- Transcript of records (with grading scale explanation)
- Language certificate (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS)
- Proof of professional or social experience (with stamp and signature)
- Reference letter (from university or employer, signed & stamped)
- APS Certificate (for applicants from China)
- A ticked off checklist and list of criteria, signed by hand (print it out, sign it by hand, scan it and include it in your documents), indicating place and date of issue
How to Apply
Submit your application documents for the master’s course(s) and the DAAD scholarship to the master’s course(s) of your choice, and NOT to the DAAD.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
- Applications may be rejected for formal reasons or due to missing or incorrect information.
- Applications addressed to more than two higher education institutions and/or that do not include a clear and consistent prioritisation in the letter of motivation will be excluded from the selection process.
- Only applications including all required documents will be considered.
- Applications sent to the DAAD will NOT be forwarded to the respective master’s course(s). Such application documents, including any attachments, samples, etc., will become the property of the DAAD without any compensation. They will not be returned.
- Any deviations from the application process will result in exclusion from the selection process.
Additional Information
Best of luck!