Applications are now open for the fully-funded DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2026

Ednah Carrick May 14, 2025

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Closing Date: 31 July 2025

Applications are now open for the fully-funded DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2026

Overview

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

Who can apply?

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 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Masters Scholarships (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment)

What Can Be Funded?

Academic education in one of the master’s courses, listed below and selected by the DAAD, will take place from September/October 2026. The courses have an international focus and are 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.

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Masters Scholarships Valuee

The scholarship holders will receive:

scholarships (of currently € 992 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 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 4 th semester (mandatory online semester in the student’s country of origin or another developing/emerging country).

Selection 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 should clearly relate 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)

Formal requirements:

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.
The candidates’ last university degree should not date back more than six years (date of issue not before 1 January 2019).
Candidates who have spent more than the past 15 months in a country not listed on the DAC list are not eligible. All master’s courses have their own selection criteria (degree, grades, language skills, practical experience, etc.) that must be met in addition to the DAAD’s selection criteria.