Applications for the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2024 are 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 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.

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)

Eligibility

Open to 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).

Application

The required application documents are:

• A ticked off checklist and list of criteria, signed by hand (do not insert a scanned signature), indicating place and date of issue.
• The DAAD application form “Application for a research/study scholarship” (please type your answers or make sure they are clearly legible.
• A single letter of motivation (even when applying for two master’s courses) including a precise account of your academic, professional and personal reasons for wishing to participate in the Helmut Schmidt-Programme, as well as a detailed explanation of your choice of master’s course(s), indicating why your first choice of master’s course is your first choice, why your second choice is your second choice and how they will advance you academically and professionally, max. two pages long. You must provide the same letter of motivation to both courses you are applying for.
• A curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (format: europass) with exact information about your studies and practical experience, including the date of issue.
• Copies of your higher education degree certificates. Provide a certified translation if the original is not in German or English and make sure these are clearly legible.
• A copy of your full set of transcript of records including an explanation of the grading system. Provide a certified translation if the original is not in German or English and make sure these are clearly legible.
• Confirmation of relevant professional experience or internships and/or proof of relevant political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or work for charities or NGOs, on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code certified digital signature, the date of issue and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation.
• Proof of English language skills.
• A current written reference from your current employer or from a university lecturer if you are a student at present, on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code certified digital signature, the date of issue and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation.

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.

For more information, visit Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Master’s Scholarships.