If you are a motivated graduate from a developing or transitioning country and aspire to play a leadership role in promoting social justice and good governance, the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Master Scholarship is your golden opportunity to studyin Germany for free. Also known as theMaster’s Scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance, this program is designed to empower future leaders by offering them high-quality education in political science, economics, law, public administration, and development studies.
Key Details:
Host Country:Germany
Degree Level:Master’s Degree (2 years)
Funding:Fully funded
Target Group:Graduates from developing and transitioning countries
Deadline:31 July 2025
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Full tuition fee waiver
Monthly stipend of€992
Health insurance coverage
Travel allowance
Pre-studyGerman language course
Research and study grants
Family and accommodation support
Participation in professional events and workshops
Participating Universities:
University of Duisburg-Essen
University of Erfurt – Willy Brandt School of Public Policy
University of Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
University of Magdeburg
University of Osnabrück
University of Passau
Available Master's Programs:
Public Policy
Governance and Development
Peace and Conflict Studies
Development Studies
Social Protection
Public Administration
Non-Profit Management
Governance and Public Policy
Eligible Countries:
Applicants must be fromdeveloping or transitioning countries.
(Refer to the official DAAD list of eligible countries.)
Eligibility Requirements:
Be a national of an eligible country
Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., political science, law, economics, public administration, etc.)
Show a strong commitment to social and political development in your country
Preferably have relevantwork or volunteer experience
Proficiency inEnglish(official proof required – TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
Required Documents:
Completed and signedDAAD application form
StrongLetter of Motivation(max. 2 pages)
DetailedCurriculum Vitae (CV)in reverse chronological order
University degree certificate+Transcript of Records(with certified translations if needed)
Proof of relevant work experience(signed, dated, and on official letterhead)
RecentLetter of Recommendation
Proof of English proficiency
CompletedChecklist form
How to Apply:
Chooseup to 2master’s programmes from the list.
Submit your application directly to the universities, not to DAAD.
After pre-selection, DAAD will invite selected candidates to upload their documents on the DAAD portal.
Make sure toread the FAQson the official website before applying.
Application Deadline:
- 31 July 2025
Selection Criteria:
Strong academic performance
Quality and relevance of the motivation letter
Professional or volunteer experience
Alignment of career goals with the program objectives
Decision by both the university and DAAD selection committee