Fully Funded DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship 2025 for Developing Countries

Applications for the 2025 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship in Public Policy and Good Governance for developing countries are now open.

About the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship, generously funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, presents a unique opportunity for individuals to pursue a Master’s degree in programs tailored to address the specific needs of social, political, and economic development in their respective countries.

Also read: African Economic Research Consortium: AERC PhD Fellowships 2024 for African Students

Anchored in the principles of good governance, this program aims to equip highly qualified graduates, holding a primary academic degree, with comprehensive education in disciplines such as political science, law, economics, and administration. The objective is to groom these individuals for prominent leadership roles within their home countries, thus contributing to sustainable progress and effective governance.

Eligibility Criteria

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship is open to:

• Candidates with a master’s degree must make a well-argued case about why they should be funded for another postgraduate degree.
• The candidates’ last university degree should not date back more than six years (date of issue not before 1 January 2018).
• Candidates who have spent more than 15 months in a country not listed on the DAC list are not eligible.

Selection Criteria

• The selection process will be conducted by a committee in October/November 2024. This committee consists of professors from the participating master’s programs and representatives from DAAD.
• Following this, candidates who have been nominated for a scholarship will be contacted by the DAAD and requested to upload their complete documents to the DAAD portal. It is important to refrain from uploading any application documents unless specifically nominated by the DAAD via email.
• Please ensure you have a complete set of your application documents in PDF format. Original documents should only be submitted if explicitly requested by the master’s program.
• Upon completion of the selection process, all applicants will be notified in writing. This notification is expected to occur in December 2024/January 2025.

Also read: University of Melbourne Research Training Scholarship Program 2024

Application Procedure

Applicants interested in the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship will provide the following documents:

• 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 the place and date of issue
• The DAAD application form “Application for a research/study scholarship” (please type your answers or make sure they are clearly legible)
• 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 of master’s course is your first choice, why your second choice is your second choice and how they will advance you academically and professionally, max. two pages long. You must provide the same letter of motivation for both courses you are applying for.
• Please ensure your curriculum vitae follows a reverse chronological order, incorporating the issuance date in the Europass format. It should provide precise details regarding your educational background and practical experiences. Any gaps in employment lasting three months or longer should be clearly explained.
• Include copies of your higher education degree certificates. If the original documents are not in German or English, provide a certified translation, ensuring legibility.
• Additionally, submit a complete transcript of records, accompanied by an explanation of the grading system. If the original transcripts are not in German or English, certified translations should be provided.
• Provide confirmations of relevant professional experiences, internships, or involvement in political activities or community service, such as volunteering or NGO work. These documents should be on official letterheads, with an original (not scanned) or code-certified digital signature, date of issue, and stamp. If necessary, include certified translations.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting proof of language skills.
• Lastly, furnish a current written reference from your current employer or a university lecturer, if you are currently a student. The reference should be on official letterhead, featuring an original (not scanned) or code-certified digital signature, date of issue, and stamp. If required, include a certified translation.

For more information, visit the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarship