1.1 About DAAD Scholarship for Students from Africa
1.2 Scholarship Benefits
1.3 Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
1.4 Scholarship Requirements
1.5 Required Documents
1.6 Application Process
1.7 Deadline
About DAAD Scholarship for Students from Africa
The DAAD scholarship program, known as “Leadership for Africa” (LfA), aims to provide support for the educational advancement of young refugees and citizens from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. This program specifically targets higher education institutions in Germany with the goal of fostering the academic growth and qualification of these individuals.
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By offering scholarships for Master’s studies in various fields, except for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Arts, and Architecture, the program seeks to contribute to the development of future leaders who will play a crucial role in their respective home countries.
Additionally, all recipients of the “Leadership for Africa” scholarship are given the opportunity to participate in a supplementary training program focused on good governance, civil society, and career development. This mandatory program is designed to complement their regular studies and provide valuable skills and knowledge.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship covers:
- German Language Course: Prior to commencing their university studies, recipients of the scholarship will have the opportunity to participate in a German language course in Germany. This course, lasting up to 6 months, aims to enhance their language skills and facilitate their integration into the academic environment.
- Tuition-Free Master’s Degree: The scholarship covers the tuition fees for a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree program at a public or state-recognized university in Germany. The program is scheduled to commence in the winter term of 2024 (September/October 2024), allowing recipients to pursue their studies without the financial burden of tuition fees.
- LEAD! Training Program: As part of the scholarship, participants are required to complete an additional training program called LEAD! This program focuses on developing leadership skills, fostering good governance, and enhancing understanding of civil society. It is designed to complement the recipients’ regular academic studies.
- Monthly Scholarship Payments: Scholarship recipients will receive a monthly payment of 934 EURO to support their living expenses during their studies in Germany. This financial assistance ensures that they can focus on their academic pursuits without worrying about financial constraints.
- Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: The scholarship provides adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance coverage for the duration of the recipients’ stay in Germany. This ensures that they have access to necessary healthcare services and are protected in the event of unforeseen events.
- Travel Allowance: A travel allowance is included in the scholarship, helping recipients with the costs of traveling from their home country to Germany. This support facilitates their smooth transition and arrival in Germany for their studies.
- Yearly Study Allowance: In addition to the monthly scholarship payments, recipients may also receive a yearly study allowance. This allowance serves as further financial support to assist with the costs associated with their academic endeavors.
- Additional Support for Accompanying Family Members: For recipients who have accompanying family members, such as a spouse and/or children, the scholarship may provide a monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance to support their needs during the period of study in Germany.
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship program targets two distinct groups of individuals.
Firstly, it aims to support highly qualified refugees who have been granted refugee status in their host countries, specifically in Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo. These individuals must meet the necessary qualifications for pursuing Master’s studies in Germany.
The conditions for eligibility include:
- Holding refugee status that was granted prior to April 3rd, 2022.
- Having completed a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
Secondly, the program also targets highly qualified graduates from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo who possess the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany. To be eligible, applicants must
- Hold citizenship in one of these countries and reside there as well.
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
It is important to note that applicants with a degree in Medicine are only eligible to apply for Master’s programs related to Public Health or Biomedical fields. Funding for a Master’s program specifically in Medicine is not available through this scholarship.
For individuals from artistic disciplines and the field of architecture, the DAAD provides separate scholarship programs tailored to their specific areas of study. These subject-specific scholarship opportunities can be found in the scholarship database offered by the DAAD.
Scholarship Requirements
1. Bachelor’s Degree Completion: Applicants must have successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree that meets the criteria set by German universities for admission to a Master’s degree program. The degree should be obtained at the time of application.
2. Minimum Second Class Upper Division: A Bachelor’s degree with at least a second class upper division level is required. This academic standard ensures that applicants have achieved a certain level of academic excellence.
3. Time Limit for Degree Completion: Generally, no more than 6 years should have passed since the completion of the applicant’s most recent academic degree. This requirement ensures that applicants have recent educational qualifications. More details on this can be found in the important information provided for scholarship applicants in Section A, point 2.
4. Proficiency in English or German: Applicants must possess good proficiency in either the English or German language. This requirement ensures that applicants can effectively communicate and participate in academic activities during their studies in Germany.
5. Refugee Identification Card (For Refugees Only): For refugee applicants, it is necessary to provide a copy of the Refugee ID card that was issued before April 3, 2022. This documentation confirms their refugee status and eligibility for the scholarship.
By meeting these requirements, applicants demonstrate their academic qualifications, language proficiency, and refugee status (if applicable), making them eligible for consideration in the scholarship program.
Please be aware that, as a scholarship applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you apply for admission to the German host university before the specified deadline. Please note that the application process for the winter term of 2024 is not accessible at the time of applying for the scholarship. Typically, application periods for winter term programs at German universities commence in the spring of each year.
Additionally, it is important to note that a Scholarship Award Letter from the DAAD will only be considered valid if you have been granted admission to a Master’s program at a public German Institute for Higher Education. Therefore, it is essential to secure admission to a suitable program in order for the scholarship to be confirmed and awarded.
Required Documents
The documents required for the scholarship application are as follows:
1. Completed Online DAAD Application Form: The application form can be found on the DAAD portal. It should be duly completed with all the required information.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Prepare a comprehensive curriculum vitae with a maximum of 3 pages. Include details about your academic journey, previous scholarships, current address, and employment history. You may use the European specimen form available at https://europa.eu/europass/en.
3. Letter of Motivation: Write a letter of motivation that is 1-3 pages long. Clearly describe your academic, professional, and personal reasons for pursuing the planned study project. Make sure to review the Important Scholarship Information in Section B, Point 1 for additional guidance.
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4. DAAD Form “Study Course Profile”: Complete the DAAD Form “Study Course Profile” by specifying three Master’s programs of your choice. Please note that the suggested programs should not have tuition fees, as the DAAD does not consider programs that charge fees. Refer to the provided link for the most recent version of the form, and carefully follow the instructions on how to fill it out.
5. Additional Master’s Degree (if applicable): If you already hold a Master’s degree or are currently in the process of completing one, you can only be considered for the scholarship in exceptional cases. You must provide a well-justified explanation for pursuing another Master’s degree. Fill in the “Additional Master’s Degree” form accordingly.
6. Proof of Language Skills: Provide evidence of the necessary language skills required for the desired Master’s programs. Refer to the important information for scholarship applicants in Section A, Point 9, for further details.
7. University Degree Certificate and Transcripts: Submit copies of your university degree certificate, which should indicate the final grade(s). Include transcripts of records for all study years, including individual grades. If applicable, provide an explanation of the grading system used.
8. Identification Documents: Include copies of your passport or national identification card, as well as the biodata page of your passport or identification card. These documents should contain information about your personal details and current residence status.
9. For Refugee Applicants: If you are a refugee, provide a copy of your Refugee ID-Card and UNHCR registration or official proof of asylum issued by authorities or the government.
Optional:
Additional Relevant Documents: Include any other documents that may be relevant to your application, such as certificates of employment, internship records, proof of former scholarships, extracurricular engagements, recommendation letters, or expired admissions to a German Master’s program.
Please ensure that you thoroughly review the requirements and follow the instructions provided to complete your application accurately.
Application Process
1. Registration in the DAAD Portal: Begin by registering in the DAAD Portal. It is important to carefully read the provided notes and instructions regarding the registration process.
2. Online Application in the DAAD Portal: Once registered, proceed with the online application in the DAAD portal. Refer to the notes provided on how to complete the application process within the portal.
3. Download and Complete the Online Application Form: Download the online application form from the portal and ensure that it is duly completed.
4. Prepare Application Documents: Gather all the required application documents as specified in the application checklist.
5. Document Translation (if necessary): If your documents are not already in German or English, it may be necessary to have them translated. Ensure that all translations are accurate and complete.
6. Scan and Save Paper Documents: Scan all paper documents (excluding references) and save them in PDF format. Please note that only PDF files can be uploaded to the portal.
7. Upload Application Documents: Upload the completed application form and other required application documents in PDF format. If you have translations, upload them along with the original documents in the original language.
8. Submit Application Documents Online: Once all the required documents are uploaded, submit the application documents online through the DAAD portal.
By following these steps, you can successfully complete and submit your application for consideration. Remember to review the instructions and requirements carefully to ensure that all documents are provided in the correct format and uploaded accurately.
Deadline
9 June 2023.
