2023 DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Programme for West Africans (Fully Funded study in Germany)

The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo at higher education institutions in Germany. In times of conflicts and displacement in various African countries, this programme intends to contribute to the education of future leaders, who will be essential for the further development of their home countries. “Leadership for Africa” offers scholarships for Master’s studies in Germany to qualified applicants in all fields of study except for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Arts and Architecture. All “Leadership for Africa” scholarship holders benefit from a complementary training programme in good governance, civil society and career development. The mandatory programme must be completed in addition to the regular studies.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application which meets the requirements of German universities for entering a Master’s degree.A Bachelor’s degree of at least 2nd class upper division level is required
• As a rule, not more than 6 years should have passed since the completion of the last academic degree
• Good English or good German language skills
• For Refugees: Copy of Refugee ID card issued before 03.04.2022.

The programme targets two groups:
1) Highly qualified refugees who hold refugee status and fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

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• Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted before 3rd of April, 2022
• Country of asylum must be either Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

2) Highly qualified graduates from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo who fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Citizenship of either Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
• Country of residence is Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

Benefits

The scholarship includes:

• Tuition-free M.A. or M.Sc. degree programme at a public or state-recognized university in Germany starting in winter term 2024 (September/October 2024)
• German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the university studies
• Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!

Duration of the funding

Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April 2024 at the earliest and take up their studies at a German institution of higher education by approx. October 1st, 2024. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen programme. In general, eligible Master’s programmes require two years of full-time study.

Value

• German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the study programme, including the coverage of the test fees for a German language certificate (TestDaF or DSH test), pocket money and accommodation (only during the language course). The DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and study requirements. Participation in a language course is compulsory.
• Travel allowance
• Yearly study allowance
• Monthly scholarship rate payments of 934 EURO
• Adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance in Germany
• Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!
• If applicable, monthly rent subsidy and monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children)
  Please note that family reunions may be time-delayed or even not be possible during the duration of the scholarship, due to the duration of the visa processes for some home or host countries.

Selection

• A pre-selection will take place based on the submitted application documents. Only complete applications with all mandatory documents will be considered. Preselected candidates will be invited to an (digital) interview with an independent selection committee of university professors.
• In addition to previous achievements in university (Bachelor’s degree), language skills and the general motivation, the main selection criterion is a convincing description of the planned studies in Germany and the suitable choice of study programmes in the DAAD form « Study course profile ».
• To ensure equal opportunities, social criteria such as special life circumstances, migration background or students from non-academic families can play a role. Criteria such as social engagement about which you can provide information in the application form are also taken into account.

Application Deadline:  June 9th, 2023