The DAAD Masters Scholarship for African Students program “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) seeks to assist the academic qualification and growth of young refugees and national scholars from Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo in German universities. This initiative aims to support the education of future leaders, who will be crucial for the continued development of their home nations during a period of violence and displacement in several African countries.
Except for law, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, the arts, and architecture, “Leadership for Africa” gives scholarships to qualifying candidates for master’s degrees in Germany. All recipients of the “Leadership for Africa” scholarship get complimentary training in civil society, effective leadership, and professional advancement. Along with the usual coursework, the required program must be completed.
Worth of DAAD Masters Scholarship for African Students
What is covered by the DAAD Masters Scholarship for African Students?
- German language instruction in Germany for up to six months before the commencement of university study
- Starting in the winter term of 2024 (September/October 2024), a public or state-recognized German institution will provide a tuition-free M.A. or M.Sc. degree program.
- Mandatory additional training program LEAD!
Duration of the funding
In general, chosen applicants will enroll in a German language program no later than April 2024 and begin their studies in a German institution of higher learning no later than October 1st, 2024. The length of financing depends on the typical length of study for the program of choice. Most Master’s programs that qualify need two years of full-time study.
Value
- German language instruction (up to six months) in Germany before the commencement of the study program, including payment of test costs for a German language certificate (TestDaF or DSH exam), spending money, and housing (only while the language instruction is taking place). Depending on the participant’s German language proficiency and academic criteria, the DAAD determines whether to support participation and for how long. It is necessary to take a language class.
- Payments of 934 EUR per month at the scholarship rate
- Insurance coverage for health, accidents, and private/personal responsibility in Germany
- Budget for travel
- Annual scholarship
- Program of additional obligatory training LEAD!
- If appropriate, a monthly rent subsidy plus a monthly stipend for any accompanying family members (spouse and/or children).
- Due to the length of the visa applications for some home or host countries, family reunions may be postponed or even impossible throughout the scholarship period.
Eligibility
- Having completed a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application that satisfies German university standards for admission to a Master’s degree program.
- It is necessary to have a bachelor’s degree with at least a second-class upper division.
- In general, the previous academic degree should not have been completed more than six years ago (see important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, Point 2).
- German or English language proficiency
- For refugees: a copy of their identification card from before April 3, 2022.
Interview Date, Process, and Venue for DAAD Masters Scholarship for African Students
Selection
- Based on the application materials supplied, a pre-selection will be made.
- Only applications that are complete and include all required documentation will be reviewed.
- An independent selection committee of university academics will invite preselected candidates to a (digital) interview.
- The primary selection criterion, in addition to prior academic accomplishments (Bachelor’s degree), language proficiency, and general enthusiasm, is a persuasive description of the intended studies in Germany and the appropriate selection of study programs in the DAAD form “Study course profile.”
- Social factors, such as unique living circumstances, migration history, or students from non-academic backgrounds, can play a part in ensuring equitable chances. Additionally, consideration is given to criteria like social participation, about which you may submit details on the application form.
Documents Required for DAAD Masters Scholarship for African Students Application
- Completed online DAAD application form (found on the DAAD webpage)
- Curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) that details your academic background to date, any scholarships you have received, your present address, and any companies you have worked for recently or in the past. To submit a specimen, please visit https://europa.eu/europass/en.
- Letter of Motivation (1-3 pages), detailing your academic, professional, and personal motivations for the intended research project. Please read Section B, Point 1 of our Important Scholarship Information.
- Completed DAAD Form “Study course profile” (please list 3 Master’s programs). Please be advised that the DAAD does not take into account your recommendations for master’s programs that charge tuition. When choosing between master’s programs, this should be taken into account.
- Please take notice of the information on how to fill in the form ‘Study course profile. Every year, changes to the form are possible; thus, only use the link above to obtain the most recent version.
- Only applicants who can persuasively explain why they want to get another master’s degree will be taken into consideration, whether they already have a master’s degree or are working toward one. Kindly complete the form “Additional Master’s Degree”.
- Proof of language proficiency is required for the chosen master’s programs. Please read Section A, Point 9 of our important information for scholarship applicants.
- Transcripts of records for all study years with all individual grades and a description of the grading method are included with the university degree certificate that lists the final grade(s).
- Copies of your passport/national identification card, copies of the biodata page in your passport/national identification card, and any additional papers that detail your identity and place of residence at the time of application For refugees: a refugee ID card, UNHCR registration, or formal government or authority evidence of asylum.
Optional:
The following papers may also be relevant to your application: job and/or internship certificates, evidence of prior scholarships, proof of involvement in extracurricular activities, reference letters, and admissions to a German master’s program that have expired.
DAAD Masters Scholarship for African Students – Application Deadline
1. Create an account on the DAAD portal (see notes about creating an account here >>).
2. Submitting an online application through the DAAD site (see our advice on applying there >>)
- Get the online application form and finish it.
- Create the application materials
- Documents should be translated if necessary (unless they are already in English or German).
- Scan paper documents into PDF format, excluding references. Please be aware that the site only accepts PDF file uploads.
- Upload the PDF versions of the application form and other supporting papers to the portal. The document published in the original language should be uploaded together with any necessary translations.
- Upload your application materials, then submit them online.
Submission Deadline
June 9, 2023
Not interested in this particular scholarship? See other Germany scholarships here.
