The call for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Scholarship 2026 for Public Policy and Good Governance is now open!!!
The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (known as Public Policy and Good Governance) supports future leaders from developing countries who want to promote democracy and social justice in their home countries. The programme, which the German Federal Foreign Office funds, offers the chance to acquire a Master’s degree in Master’s 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.
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With the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, the DAAD strives to contribute to promoting good governance and civil society structures in developing and emerging countries.
The Programme:
- Offers aspiring future leaders a diverse array of master’s courses, meticulously designed to address the pressing needs of social, political, and economic development within their home nations. These disciplines hold significant relevance, empowering participants to tackle contemporary challenges head-on.
- Prepares students through an engaging, practice-oriented curriculum that equips them with essential skills and knowledge for assuming responsible leadership positions in their communities. This approach not only fosters individual growth but also contributes to the establishment of democratic institutions and equitable social and economic systems, aimed at reducing social inequalities and promoting inclusive progress.
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- Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
2. Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
3. Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
4. Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
5. Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/The Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, initiated by the DAAD, is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing good governance and nurturing robust civil society structures in developing and emerging countries.
Scholarships in the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme are available for seven master’s programmes at the following universities:
- Management in Nonprofit Organizations
University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück - Development and Governance
University of Duisburg-Essen - Social Protection
University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg - Peace and Conflict Studies
Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg - Public Policy
Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt - Governance and Public Policy
University of Passau - Development Studies
University of Passau
Target group
Graduates from developing and emerging countries (Bachelor’s or equivalent)
- with a well-qualified first university degree 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 to the programme (professional experience, internships, or other activities in their community)
- Helmut-Schmidt-Programme
The Helmut-Schmidt-Programme offers an incredible opportunity through full scholarships for a select group of seven master’s programmes at prestigious German universities. These programmes delve into crucial areas such as public policy, good governance, international relations, public management, public administration, civil society, social protection, peace and conflict studies, development, and socioeconomic policies. Each course is meticulously designed to not only impart academic knowledge but also to address real-world challenges faced in these fields.
The diverse and internationally-oriented nature of these programmes, delivered predominantly in English, ensures a vibrant learning environment that embraces students from various cultural and academic backgrounds.
In addition to the generous scholarship, participants can look forward to unique benefits that enhance their educational experience:
- Engaging special tutoring and collaborative learning opportunities that foster teamwork and deeper understanding within small study groups at their host university.
- A series of networking events and customized workshops designed to help students build valuable professional connections and refine their skills in a supportive setting.
- Comprehensive German language courses are offered in Germany for up to six months before the start of their master’s programme, equipping students with essential language skills to navigate their new environment and enhance their integration into German culture.
This transformative initiative not only aims to equip future leaders with the academic prowess necessary for impactful careers but also seeks to nurture their personal growth and foster meaningful connections within their professional communities.
Benefits
The scholarship holders will receive:
- Scholarships (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 4 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 place rate 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
- Applicants must be graduates from developing/emerging countries with
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Social/Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy, or Administration.
- Above-average grades (upper third).
- Practical experience (professional work, internships, or political/social engagement).
- Willing to actively contribute to the social, political, and economic development of their home countries/regions
- 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
- Candidates who already hold a master’s degree must make a well-argued case as to why they should be funded for another postgraduate degree. This motivation should relate to the goals of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme
- The requirements for language skills and the required language certificates vary depending on the respective master’s course.
- Additional requirements:
- Last degree not older than six years (issued after 1 January 2019).
- No residency exceeding 15 months in non-DAC-listed countries.
All master’s courses have their selection criteria (degree, grades, language skills, practical experience, etc.) that must be met in addition to the DAAD’s selection criteria.
Eligible Regions: Open to Afghanistan,Albania,Algeria,Angola,Argentina,Armenia,Azerbaijan,Bangladesh, Belarus,Belize,Benin,Bhutan,Bolivia,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Botswana,Brazil,Burkina Faso, Burundi,Cabo Verde,Cambodia,Cameroon,Central African Republic,Chad,China ,Colombia,Comoros,Congo,Costa Rica,Côte d’Ivoire,Cuba,Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,Democratic Republic of the Congo,Djibouti,Dominica,Dominican Republic,Ecuador,Egypt,El Salvador,Equatorial Guinea,Eritrea,Eswatini,Ethiopia,Fiji,Gabon,Gambia,Georgia,Ghana,Grenada,Guatemala, Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Guyana,Haiti,Honduras,India,Indonesia,Iran,Iraq,Jamaica,Jordan,Kazakhstan, Kenya,Kiribati,Kosovo,Kyrgyzstan,Lao People’s Democratic Republic,Lebanon,Lesotho,Liberia,Libya,Madagascar,Malawi,Malaysia,Maldives,Mali,Marshall Islands,Mauritania,Mauritius,Mexico,Micronesia,Moldova,Mongolia,Montenegro,Montserrat, Morocco,Mozambique,Myanmar,Namibia,Nauru,Nepal,Nicaragua,Niger,Nigeria,North Macedonia,Pakistan,Palau,Panama,Papua New Guinea,Paraguay,Peru,Philippines,Rwanda,Saint Helena,Saint Lucia,Samoa,Sao Tome and Principe,Senegal,Sierra Leone,Solomon Islands,Somalia,South Sudan,Sri Lanka,Sudan,Syrian Arab Republic,Tajikistan,Tanzania,Thailand,Timor-Leste,Togo,Tokelau,Tunisia,Tuvalu,Uganda,Ukraine,Vanuatu,Venezuela,VietNam,Yemen, Zambia,ZimbabweApplication Process
- All applications must be submitted in English or German.
- You may apply for up to two master’s courses. 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.
- Please submit your application documents for the master’s course(s) and the DAAD scholarship to the master’s course(s) of your choice, and not to the DAAD.
- Please submit the application form to the master’s course(s) of your choice (max. two), along with the required documents:
- Signed checklist.
- DAAD application form.
- Motivation letter (max 2 pages, prioritizing two courses).
- CV (Europass format with dates).
- Degree certificates/transcripts (translated if not in German/English).
- Proof of professional/political experience.
- English proficiency proof.
- Employer/university reference.
- Please complete the DAAD “Application Form” only once and indicate your selected master’s course or courses.
- 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.
- The candidates who 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 email) by the DAAD.
Thus, the selection process is finalised. All applicants are informed in writing after the end of the selection process, expected in December 2025/January 2026.
Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
Application ClosedOfficial link
