DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship 2026 in Germany | Fully Funded

Summary

The DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship:

• offers future leaders master’s courses in disciplines that are of special relevance for the social, political, and economic development

• prepares them 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

  The programme, which is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, offers the chance to acquire a Master’s degree in Master programmes 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.

Benefits:

The scholarship holders will receive:

• scholarships (of currently €992 per month) for master’s courses at German higher education institutions

• health insurance coverage 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.

• The following deviation regarding funding benefits applies for the “Social Protection” master’s course, due to its blended learning concept: A surplus 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).

Eligibilities

Graduates from developing and emerging countries (bachelor's 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)

Deadline July 31, 2025

To learn more, click here.