The KAAD is the scholarship organization of the Catholic Church in Germany for postgraduates and academics from (developing) countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
By providing scholarships, educational events, and personal and spiritual guidance, it supports its scholarship holders in view of their future multiplying activities in their home countries. This is done in cooperation with partner committees and associations of former scholarship holders in these countries, with the aim of (academic) network building and a contribution to holistic development that includes the religious and interreligious dimensions.
In the 1950s, when German Catholics began to pay closer attention to issues and tasks of the global church, lay organizations in particular became aware of the opportunities that could arise in this field through dialogue with students from overseas. Thus, KAAD emerged from an initiative of the Catholic Congress which took place in Fulda in 1954. In 1958 it was formally registered as a non-profit association with its headquarters in Bonn.
KAAD Scholarship Programme 1 expects the following from its students:
- An above-average performance potential for studies or research.
- The orientation of studies or research towards a permanent reintegration into the respective home region (otherwise the scholarship is considered a loan).
- Religious and social commitment or willingness to engage in inter-religious dialogue.
- German language skills of at least level B1 (or at least A2 in the case of English-language degree programs) for participation in their compulsory educational program.
- Preparatory German courses in the home country are expected.
- In addition, there is the possibility to apply for a language course (full-time or during studies).
- German language skills are prior to entry (KAAD can provide a German language course of max. 6 months in Germany).
KAAD works with focus and partner countries in your region. Applications proceed via their partner committees. Applications from other countries can only be considered in exceptional cases.
Location:
GermanyBenefits
- KAAD pays for the recipient’s travel and accommodation in Germany and provides language training in Germany before they continue their studies.
Eligibilities
You can apply for KAAD Scholarship Programme 1 if you:
- Come from and currently reside in a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America.
- Have a university degree and professional experience in your home country.
- Would like to pursue a Master’s degree, a Ph.D., or other postgraduate studies, or are planning a post-doc or a research stay (2-6 months for academics) at a German university.
- Are of Catholic denomination (or generally belong to a Christian denomination, especially for applicants from the Near and Middle East). Applicants of another religion can be funded if they are proposed by Catholic partners in view of a documentable willingness to engage in interreligious dialogue.
- Have German language skills prior to entry (KAAD can provide a German language course of max. 6 months in Germany).
Application Process
- The first request is sent to KAAD’s offices by filling out the KAAD Scholarship application form. The questionnaire will be sent, as the first step, to the interested persons.
- Applicants may email their questions or contact the partner committee in their home country for detailed information on double-stage application procedures.
- Applicants outside the country often have to meet specific requirements for English / other languages in order to study.
