The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (known as Public Policy and Good Governance) supports future leaders from developing countries (see list of countries), who want to promote democracy and social justice in their home countries. The program, which is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, offers the chance to acquire a Master’s degree in Master programs of particular relevance for the social, political, and economic development in the students’ countries of origin. In the light of the principles of Good Governance, highly qualified graduates with a first academic degree are being educated in political science, law, economics, and administration and prepared for future leading positions in their home countries.
The Helmut Schmidt Programme involves one-year and two-year master’s courses, each with
different formal and academic entry requirements. Please clarify with the master’s course(s) of your
choice whether you can be formally admitted to the master’s course and whether you are
compatible with the academic knowledge you have acquired so far. Every master’s course has different language proficiency requirements. Candidates who have already completed a master’s course must make a well-argued case as to why they should be funded for another postgraduate degree. Please explain why you would like to study for this particular second master’s course and how it expands on the one you hold already.
The DAAD pays a monthly installment of 934 EUR. Special conditions apply for an online semester of
the master’s course “Social Protection” with a sur-place-rate of 500 EUR (see details under “Current
Announcement”). The DAAD also pays a study and research subsidy of 460 EUR each year and an
appropriate travel allowance as well as a rent subsidy and/or allowance for spouses and/or children as applicable. Health insurance, accident, and liability insurance in Germany are also covered by the scholarship.
Location:
GermanyBenefits
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 6 months; participation is mandatory.
Eligibilities
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 to the program (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment)
Application Process
All applications must be submitted in English or German.
Please indicate clearly that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Program (Master’s scholarship in Public Policy and Good Governance).
An applicant may apply for up to two master’s courses.
- Please read the DAAD selection criteria included in the checklist carefully. Please tick off the checklist and complete the list of criteria with your original signature (do not insert a scanned signature), indicating the place and date.
- 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.
- 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.
4. Please submit the application form to the master’s course(s) of your choice (max. two), along with the required documents. Scholarship applications must be made directly to the master’s
courses.
The required application documents are:
- a ticked-off checklist and list of criteria, signed by hand (do not insert a scanned signature), indicating the place and date of issue
- the DAAD application form “Application for a research/study scholarship” (please type your answers or make sure they are clearly legible)
- a single letter of motivation (even when applying for two master’s courses) including a precise account of your academic, professional, and personal reasons for wishing to participate in the HelmutSchmidt-Programme, max. two pages long.
- a curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (format: Europass) with exact information about your studies and practical experience, including the date of issue
- copies of your higher education degree certificates. Please provide a certified translation if the original is not in German or English and make sure these are clearly legible.
- a copy of your full set of transcript of records including an explanation of the grading system. Please provide a certified translation if the original is not in German or English and make sure these are clearly legible.
- confirmation of relevant professional experience or internships and/or proof of relevant political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or work for charities or NGOs, on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code-certified digital signature, the date of issue, and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation.
- proof of English language skills
- a currently written reference from your current employer or from a university lecturer if you are a student at present, on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code-certified digital signature, the date of issue, and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation
Application Deadline: July 31, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
