DAAD 2024 Helmut-Schmidt-Program (Master’s Scholarships ), Germany

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 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.

• Table of Content
• About DAAD
• DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program
• Aim and Benefits of DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program
• DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program Courses
• Requirements for DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About DAAD

In Japan, the DAAD is represented with a Regional Office in Tokyo. Our mission is to promote scientific exchange and cooperation with people and institutions in the country. © THE GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCANGE SERVICE About the DAAD A brief look back at history shows that the DAAD has a long tradition of uniting people and academia. More © DAAD IN JAPAN DAAD Regional Office Tokyo The DAAD provides scholarships, informs about study and research in Germany, promotes university cooperation and supports German study programmes abroad. Here, you will find more... continue reading

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program

Aim and Benefits of DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program

Academic education in one of the master’s courses, listed below and selected by the DAAD, will take place from September/October 2024. The courses have an international focus and are mainly offered in English.

Throughout their studies, all scholarship holders of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme benefit from accompanying support services provided by the programme coordinators at the respective study locations.

Scholarship holders benefit from events and seminars organised specifically for them, as well as close exchange with other international scholarship holders.

Planning also provides for participation in interdisciplinary networking events.

DAAD scholarship holders are exempt from paying tuition fees.

VALUE

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

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

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program Courses

• Public Policy and Good Governance - PPGG

Requirements for DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program Qualification

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 for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment)

Interview date, Process and Venue for DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program

The selection will be made by a selection committee in October/November 2023. The committee comprises professors from the participating master’s courses and representatives of the DAAD.

Next step: The candidates that were proposed for a scholarship are contacted by the DAAD and asked to upload their full documents to the DAAD portal. Please do not upload any application documents unless you are nominated by the DAAD.

Important: Please make sure that you have a full set of copies of your application documents in PDF format. Please submit original documents, only if you are explicitly asked to do so by the master’s course. Thus, the selection process is finalised. All applicants are informed in writing after the end of the selection process in mid to late December 2023.

Criteria

The most important selection criteria are:

• A conclusive account of your academic, professional and personal motivation for the study endeavour in Germany and for choosing and prioritising the master’s courses
• This motivation also relates to the goals of the Helmut Schmidt Programme
• Practical experience relevant to the programme (professional experience or internships, political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or work for charities or NGOs)
• A first higher education degree completed with above-average grades (upper third)

The application period for all seven higher education institutions is from 1 June until 31 July 2023. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in English or German.

Please indicate clearly that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut-SchmidtProgramme (Master’s scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance). You may apply for up to two master’s courses listed below.

1. Please read the DAAD selection criteria included in our checklist carefully. Please tick off the checklist and complete our list of criteria with your original signature (do not insert a scanned signature), indicating place and date.

2. 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.

3. 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 (see below).

Scholarship applications must be made directly to the master’s courses.

For more details visit: DAAD website.