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.
What do they expect from you?
- An above-average performance potential for studies or research.
- 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).
KAAD has a two-step application procedure. If you are eligible for the second stage of the application process, the necessary application documents will be sent to you. The application deadlines for the second stage are 15 January (March scholarship award) and 30 June (September scholarship award) each year.
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
- Postgraduates with a Bachelor’s degree who wish to pursue a Master’s degree at a German university (max. 24 months). Tuition fees for fee-based Master’s degree programs can be funded in justified exceptional cases.
- Young academics who are working towards a Ph.D. degree in Germany (max. 36 months).
- Young academics who are working on a doctorate or habilitation in their home country and are planning a research stay in Germany (up to 12 months).
- Postgraduates who are planning a research stay or a deepening of existing scientific knowledge in Germany after having completed their examination in their home country or who are planning a non-consecutive postgraduate or supplementary course of study (this also applies to further training for licensed medical practitioners).
- University teachers who are planning a research stay (up to 6 months) in Germany.
- Students in Master’s programs in their home country who are planning a study visit (up to 6 months) to collect material at a university in Germany.
Scholarships are awarded for all disciplines (with the exception of theological courses, for this please contact Renovabis).
Eligible Regions: Applicants from all countries of Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus and of Catholic denomination (in exceptional cases also of another Christian denomination, provided they are proposed by Catholic partners).Application Process
- KAAD has a two-step application procedure.
- If you are eligible for the second stage of the application process, the necessary application documents will be sent to you.
- The application deadlines for the second stage are 15 January (March scholarship award) and 30 June (September scholarship award) each year.
