DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Program 2023

DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Program 2023/2024 for West Africans – Apply Here. Applications are now open for the DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Program. See how to apply below and the requirements.

The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo at higher education institutions in Germany. In times of conflicts and displacement in various African countries, this program intends to contribute to the education of future leaders, who will be essential for the further development of their home countries. “Leadership for Africa” offers scholarships for Master’s studies in Germany to qualified applicants in all fields of study except for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Arts and Architecture. All “Leadership for Africa” scholarship holders benefit from a complementary training program in good governance, civil society and career development. The mandatory program must be completed in addition to the regular studies.

Requirements And Qualifications

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Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application which meets the requirements of German universities for entering a Master’s degree.A Bachelor’s degree of at least 2nd class upper division level is required
As a rule, not more than 6 years should have passed since the completion of the last academic degree
Good English or good German language skills
For Refugees: Copy of Refugee ID card issued before 03.04.2022.

The program targets two groups:
1) Highly qualified refugees who hold refugee status and fulfill the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfill the following conditions:

Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted before 3rd of April, 2022
Country of asylum must be either Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

2) Highly qualified graduates from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo who fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

Citizenship of either Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
Country of residence is Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

Benefits

The scholarship includes:

German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the university studies
Tuition-free M.A. or M.Sc. degree program at a public or state-recognized university in Germany starting in winter term 2024 (September/October 2024)
Additional mandatory training program LEAD!

Duration of the funding

Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April 2024 at the earliest and take up their studies at a German institution of higher education by approx. October 1st, 2024. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen program. In general, eligible Master’s programs require two years of full-time study.

Value

German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the study programme, including the coverage of the test fees for a German language certificate (TestDaF or DSH test), pocket money and accommodation (only during the language course). The DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and study requirements. Participation in a language course is compulsory.
Monthly scholarship rate payments of 934 EURO
Adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance in Germany
Travel allowance
Yearly study allowance
Additional mandatory training program LEAD!
If applicable, monthly rent subsidy and monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children)
Please note that family reunions may be time-delayed or even not be possible during the duration of the scholarship, due to the duration of the visa processes for some home or host countries.

Selection

A pre-selection will take place based on the submitted application documents. Only complete applications with all mandatory documents will be considered. Pre-selected candidates will be invited to an (digital) interview with an independent selection committee of university professors.
In addition to previous achievements in university (Bachelor’s degree), language skills and the general motivation, the main selection criterion is a convincing description of the planned studies in Germany and the suitable choice of study programs in the DAAD form « Study course profile ».
To ensure equal opportunities, social criteria such as special life circumstances, migration background or students from non-academic families can play a role. Criteria such as social engagement about which you can provide information in the application form are also taken into account.