Call for Applications! for Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2025!
OBJECTIVE
With the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, the DAAD strives to contribute to promoting good governance and civil society structures in developing and emerging countries.
The Programme
• offers future leaders master’s courses in disciplines that are of special relevance for social, political, and economic development
• prepares students in a practice-oriented course for responsible positions in or for their home regions and contributes to establishing economic and social institutions that are democratically oriented and designed to overcome social inequalities
WHO CAN APPLY?
Graduates from developing and emerging countries (bachelor or equivalent)
• with a well-qualified first university degree and 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 • who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment
WHAT CAN BE FUNDED?
Academic education in one of the master’s courses, listed below and selected by the DAAD, will take place from September/October 2025. The courses have an international focus and are mainly offered in English. Throughout their studies, all scholarship holders of the Helmut-Schmidt- Programme benefit from accompanying support services provided by the programme coordinators at the respective study locations. Scholarship holders benefit from events and seminars organised specifically for them, as well as close exchange with other international scholarship holders.
DAAD scholarship holders are exempt from paying tuition fees.
VALUE
The scholarship holders will receive
• scholarships (of currently € 934 per month) for master’s courses at German higher education institutions
• health insurance cover 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).
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications must be submitted in English or German. Please indicate clearly that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut-SchmidtProgramme (Master’s scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance). You may apply for up to two master’s courses listed below.
1. Please read the DAAD selection criteria included in our checklist carefully and take care of every single point listed in the checklist.
2. Please complete the DAAD application form ‘Application for a research/study scholarship’ only once and indicate your selected master’s course or courses, in the latter case clearly indicating your first and second priority.
3. If you are applying for two master’s courses: Please rank the courses in order of preference in your motivation letter, i.e. why your first choice of master’s course is your first choice and why your second choice is your second choice. For each choice of course, please provide clear reasons why you think it will advance you academically and professionally. You must submit the same letter of motivation to both courses you are applying for.
For more details, refer here
