Closing Date: 31 July 2026
Applications are now open for the Fully Funded DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2027
Objective
The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (known as Public Policy and Good Governance) supports future leaders from developing and emerging countries (see list of countries), who want to promote democracy and social justice in their home regions. The programme, funded by the Federal Foreign Office, offers the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree in fields of study that are of particular importance for social, political and economic development in the countries of origin of these young professionals. 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 the Global South.
Objective
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 programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment), specific requirements vary depending on the master’s courses; please see “Information about the Master’s Courses”
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 2027. The courses have an international focus and are offered in English. Throughout their studies, all scholarship holders of the 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 DAAD scholarship holders will receive
- scholarships (of currently € 992 per month) for master’s courses at German higher education institutions
- health insurance cover in Germany
- fixed travel allowances (lump sums) 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
Application Process
All applications must be submitted in English or German. You may apply for up to two master’s courses.
- Please read the DAAD selection criteria included in our checklist carefully and take care of every single point listed in the checklist.
- Please complete the DAAD “Application Form” only once and indicate your selected master’s course(s).
- 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 the application form to the master’s course(s) of your choice (max. two), along with the required documents. Scholarship applications must be sent directly to the master’s courses.
