BIGSAS Scholarships 2025 for African Scholars at University of Bayreuth

BIGSAS has been awarded two scholarships within the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for which BIGSAS will nominate candidates who have successfully passed the application procedure. 

BIGSAS provides a centre for creative and innovative PhD training based on the inter- and multi-disciplinary research environment of the Institute of African Studies, IAS, at the University of Bayreuth, and the Cluster of Excellence ‘Africa Multiple: Reconfiguring African Studies’.

• Table of Content
• About University of Bayreuth
• BIGSAS Scholarships
• Aim and Benefits of BIGSAS Scholarships
• Requirements for BIGSAS Scholarships Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for BIGSAS Scholarships
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

BIGSAS Scholarships

Aim and Benefits of BIGSAS Scholarships

• Monthly payments of 1,200 euros
• Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
• Travel lump sum (depending on country of origin)
• Annual research allowance of 460 euros

Under certain circumstances, grant holders may receive the following additional benefits:

• Monthly rent subsidy
• Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family (about 200 euros child allowance per child; about 275 euros marriage allowance)

Additionally, the host graduate school can receive an annual material resource and supervision allowance (1000 euros).

Requirements for BIGSAS Scholarships Qualification

• Applicants must have a very good Master’s Degree in one of the disciplines represented at the graduate school. The Master’s Degree must have been obtained within the last six years.
• Applicants should not have been in Germany for more than twelve months.
• Applications may be submitted in German, English or French, the working language of BIGSAS is English.

Interview date, Process and Venue for BIGSAS Scholarships

The scholarship periods begin in October 2025 at the earliest (including a German language course starting in summer 2025, if applicable). The scholarships are awarded for a total scholarship period of up to four years. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit University of Bayreuth website