Scholarship Overview
- UNHCR provides, on a limited basis, scholarships for refugees at the tertiary level in universities and polytechnic institutions through the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative Fund (DAFI). Funding for this programme is provided by the Federal Government of Germany.
- The purpose of the DAFI Programme is to contribute to the self-reliance of refugees by providing them with a professional qualification for future employment. Scholarships are granted only for studies in the country of asylum. Preferably, UNHCR would like to see the graduates return home and contribute to the reconstruction of their home country, or to the development of the country of asylum or the refugee community at large.
Host School
Fields of Study
What does the scholarship cover?
How many scholarships are given?
Which countries are targeted?
In 2006/2007, the following countries are participating in the DAFI programme:
In Africa:
- Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In Asia:
- India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Syria, Thailand and Yemen.
In Central- and South America:
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay.
In Eastern Europe:
- Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Georgia, Russian Federation, and Serbia & Montenegro.
Am I Eligible to Apply?
In order to be eligible, a candidate should:
- be a refugee with recognised refugee status;
- have successfully completed secondary schooling to a high standard in campbased
- refugee schools, or in national schools of the country of origin or asylum;
- have no other means of support for university studies;
- select a course of study that is likely to lead to employment in the country of origin;
- not be older than 28 years at the beginning of studies (An exemption could be applied to health and education courses of shorter duration provided to health staff and teachers with previous working experience or employment);
- select a choice of study course with maximum three to four years duration.
How to Apply – Next Steps
- If there is a current DAFI programme in your country of asylum and you meet the above-mentioned criteria, you should complete an application form (Application for Educational Assistance) to be submitted to UNHCR directly. Forms are available at UNHCR offices. All UNHCR offices will receive your application.
Closing Date
How do I get more information?
Mohamed siraad says
Iam young somali boy aged twenty years having satisfactory completed secondary school with amean grade of D+in 2010 living in dadab camps and legaly registered unhcr mandate sir/madam iwould like to continue my education but dont have financial aid so asist me any consideration given to me is highly appreciated
mohamed isak nor says
this is my e-mail habarway4@hotmail.com
mob: 00252615503499
lived Horseed camp
country somalia
this information followed by mohamed isak nor application above
I, am very thankful to UNHCR-DAFI, if support me
mohamed isak nor says
I,am mohamed,24years old, are kindly requesting to UNHCR-DAFI scholarship to except my application, give consideration and put poistively answer because I, live in Horseed camp ceelasha-biyaha far away from mogadisho 13km and I, grauate in 2009-2010 from secondary school at green hope for refugee primary and secondary school so I, did not get facilite because I, am refugee and from poor family my father died and my mother are still alive any I, hope to succesful UNHCR-DAFI scholarship I, am waiting for your honorable feedback yours faithfull
mohamed isak nor
ceelasha-biyaha/ somalia
Horseed camp
mob: 00252615503499
Abdur Rahim says
my name is Abdur Rahim, an afghan refugee currently living in pakistan, student of Engineering
due to my family’s recent financial problems it is difficult for me to continoue my education please assist me in futher education.
Justo Cachequele Celestino says
Dear sir/madam
I am a refugee currently residing in Namibia. Angolan national. I have been searching for any form of financial assistance at different organisations to further my studies in Engineering. I completed secondary school just here in Namibia (2007). But my search as been to no avail. I woul like any assitance from this financial organisation, so i can be able to pursue my career. I do have an admission letter from the University of Namibia for 2011Pre-engineering. I do have a passion to contribute to the endeavours of my country of nationality. this is my e-mail address for any possible contact. celestinojustocachequele@yahoo.com