Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Public Policy and Good Governance Master’s Scholarships

• Through the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) strives to promote good governance and civil society structures in developing and emerging countries.

Scholarship Overview

• The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (also known as Master’s in Public Policy and Good Governance) supports future leaders from developing countries who want to promote democracy and social justice in their home countries.
• This scholarship program offers these future leaders master’s courses in disciplines that are relevant to the social, political, and economic development of their home countries, preparing them for responsible positions in or for their regions of origin using a practice-oriented course.

Host School(s)

• German institutions of higher education in different cities in Germany.

Field(s) of Study

• Social Protection
• Development and Governance
• Management in Non-Profit Organizations
• Peace and Conflict Studies
• Development Studies
• Governance and Public Policy
• Public Policy

What does the scholarship cover?

Recipients of this scholarship receive:

• A scholarship of €934 per month
• Health insurance cover
• 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
• A German language course in Germany, lasting up to 4 months before the commencement of the master’s program. This language course is mandatory.

How many scholarships are given?

• Not stated

Which countries are targeted?

Least Developed Countries

• Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia,
• Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
• Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati,
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali,
• Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal,
• São Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan,
• Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia.

Low-Income Countries

• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
•  Syrian Arab Republic

Lower Middle-Income Countries

• Algeria, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire,
• Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Honduras, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan,
• Lebanon, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan,
• Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tokelau, Tunisia,
• Ukraine Uzbekistan Vanuatu Viet Nam Zimbabwe

Upper Middle-Income Countries

• Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
• Botswana, Brazil, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,
• Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji,
• Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica,
• Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius,
• Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Niue,
• North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia,
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand,
• Tonga, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you must;

• Be a graduate applicant from a developing country.
• Have a bachelor’s degree in the fields of Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy, and Administration.
• Have a university degree that does not date back more than six years.
• Be willing to actively contribute to the social, political, and economic development of their home countries/regions.
• Have already gained practical experience relevant to the program – professional experience, internships, or political/social commitment.

NOTE:

• If you already have a master’s degree, you must present a convincing case as to why you should be funded for another postgraduate degree.

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

• All applications must be submitted in English or German.
• Indicate that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Master’s Scholarship in Public Policy and Good Governance).
• You may apply for up to two courses of study as follows:  
  • Read through the DAAD selection criteria as indicated on the checklist on the website.
  • Please complete the DAAD application form and indicate your selected master’s course or courses, in the latter case clearly indicating your first and second priority.
  • When you are applying for two master’s courses, please submit a single application for both master’s courses and only one letter of motivation. In this letter, you should explain in detail why you chose the respective master’s courses as well as your reasons for prioritizing them. You must also rank the courses in order of preference in your motivation letter.
  • Submit the application form to the master’s courses of your choice (no more than two), along with the required documents (see below).

NOTE:

• Scholarship applications are only accepted if sent directly to the master’s courses.

Required Documents

• The Checklist form, signed by hand with place and date indicated.
• The DAAD application form indicated “Application for a research/study scholarship.”
• A single letter of motivation for both master’s courses if you are applying for two courses at the same time including a precise account of your academic, professional, and personal reasons for wishing to participate in the program, as well as a detailed explanation of your choice of master’s courses and prioritization, no more than two pages long. The same letter of motivation is provided even if you are applying for two master’s courses.
• A curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (using the euro pass template) including exact information about your studies, and details on any practical experience. Any gaps of three months or more should be explained.
• Copies of your higher education degree certificates with certified translations if the original language is not German or English.
• A copy of your full set of transcripts or academic records. Please explain the grading system if this is not part of the transcript.
• A written confirmation of any work experience, internship, or professional experience and/or proof of any political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or working for charities or NGOs. This must be printed on headed paper, including a signature, the date of issue, and a stamp.
• Recent language certificates (for English and/or German).
• A current written reference from your current employer or a university lecturer if you are a student at present, on headed paper, signed, dated, and stamped.

Selection Criteria

1. Academic, professional, and personal motivation for the study endeavor in Germany and for choosing and prioritizing the master’s courses.
2. Motivation relating to the goals of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme.
3. Practical experience relevant to the programme (work experience, internships or professional experience, political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or working for charities or NGOs).
4. A first higher education degree completed with above-average grades (upper third of the graduates)

Closing Date

• July 31, 2024.

How do I get more information?

• Website: Helmut-Schmidt-Programme