Apply Now: DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme 2026 – Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Germany for Future Leaders

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is now accepting purposes for the 2026 Helmut-Schmidt Programme – Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance. This totally funded scholarship programme helps future leaders from growing and rising international locations who’re dedicated to driving constructive change in their home areas by careers in public administration, governance, policy-making, and civil society.

Application interval: 1 June – 31 July 2025
Start of research: September/October 2026
Location: Germany (taking part universities)
Funding kind: Fully funded

Programme Overview

The Helmut-Schmidt Programme, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and administered by DAAD, gives excellent graduates with the chance to pursue a grasp’s diploma in disciplines associated to good governance, public coverage, legislation, economics, political science, and administration. The purpose is to equip younger professionals with the data and expertise wanted to advertise democratic governance, financial growth, and social equality in their home international locations.

Who Can Apply

Eligible candidates should:

• Be graduates from growing or rising international locations (primarily based on the DAC listing)

• Hold a primary college diploma (usually a bachelor’s) with above-average grades (high third of their class)

• Have related skilled or sensible expertise (together with internships, voluntary service, or neighborhood engagement)

• Be dedicated to contributing to the political, social, and financial growth of their home international locations

• Have accomplished their final diploma no sooner than 1 January 2019

• Have not spent greater than 15 months in a non-DAC-listed nation by the point of application

• Be proficient in English (language necessities differ by programme)

What the Scholarship Covers

The Helmut-Schmidt Programme presents:

• A month-to-month stipend of 992 euros

• Full tuition payment waiver

• Health insurance coverage protection

• Travel allowance between Germany and the home nation

• Study and analysis grant

• Rent subsidy and household allowance, the place relevant

• A compulsory German language course (as much as 4 months) previous to the diploma programme

• Access to seminars, occasions, and networking alternatives with worldwide students

For the “Social Protection” grasp’s programme, a partial funding mannequin applies in the course of the closing semester because of its blended studying format.

How to Apply

Applicants might apply for as much as two of the next grasp’s programmes:

1. Social Protection – University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg. (instructing language: English, length: 4 semesters)
   Blended studying idea:
   1st semester on the larger training establishment
   2nd semester on-line, in Germany or the home nation/a growing
   nation
   third semester, sensible time period in Germany/home nation/third nation
   4th semester on-line, devoted to making ready the grasp’s thesis in the
   home nation/a growing nation
   Email: msc-socialprotection@h-brs.de

2. Development and Governance – University of Duisburg-Essen. (instructing language: English, length: 2 semesters)
   Email: ma-devgov@uni-due.de

3. Public Policy – Willy Brandt School, University of Erfurt. Willy Brandt School of Public Policy on the University of Erfurt
   (instructing language: English, length: 4 semesters)
   Please apply on-line.
   Email: admissions-mpp@uni-erfurt.de

4. Peace and Conflict Studies – University of Magdeburg. (instructing language: English, length: 4 semesters)
   Email: pacs@ovgu.de

5. Management in Nonprofit-Organisations – University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück. University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück
   (instructing language: English, length: 4 semesters)
   Email: ppgg@hs-osnabrueck.de

6. Development Studies – University of Passau. (instructing language: English, length: 4 semesters)
   Email: info.ppgg@uni-passau.de 

7. Governance and Public Policy – University of Passau. (instructing language: English, length: 4 semesters)
   Email: info.ppgg@uni-passau.de

Application varieties and required paperwork have to be submitted on to the schools providing the chosen programmes. Do not ship purposes to DAAD.

Required Documents

Applicants should put together and submit the next:

• Completed DAAD application type

• A single motivation letter (for one or two chosen programmes)

• Curriculum vitae (in Europass format, with date of challenge)

• Academic diploma certificates and transcripts (with licensed translations if not in English or German)

• Proof of related work expertise, internships, or civic engagement (with official signatures and stamps)

• Proof of English language proficiency (primarily based on programme necessities)

• One reference letter (from a present employer or tutorial supervisor)

• Signed guidelines and listing of standards

• APS Certificate (for candidates from China)

Selection Process

Selection is aggressive and carried out by a joint committee of college school and DAAD representatives in October/November 2025. Selected candidates will likely be contacted by DAAD to add their paperwork by way of the DAAD portal. Final selections will likely be communicated by December 2025 or January 2026.

Important Notes

• Applications have to be full and observe all formal necessities to be thought-about.

• Submitting greater than two purposes or failing to obviously rank preferences in the motivation letter will consequence in disqualification.

• Applications have to be submitted in English or German.

• Applications despatched to DAAD won’t be forwarded to universities and will likely be discarded.

Contact and Further Information

For detailed programme descriptions, language necessities, and university-specific application directions, please go to the official web sites of the taking part universities or contact their programme coordinators immediately.

For normal info, go to the DAAD web site: daad.de/go/en/stipa50026397

Important Links

Objective

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (referred to as Public Policy and Good Governance) helps future leaders from growing international locations (see listing of nations), who wish to promote democracy and social justice in their home international locations. The programme, which is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, presents the prospect to accumulate a Master’s diploma in Master programmes of explicit relevance for the social, political and financial growth in the scholars’ international locations of origin. In the sunshine of the rules of Good Governance, extremely certified graduates with a primary tutorial diploma are being educated in political science, legislation, economics and administration and ready for future main positions in their home international locations.

The Helmut-Schmidt-Programme stands as a gateway for aspiring leaders to obtain world-class training and contribute meaningfully to the event of their societies. Apply now to be a part of this transformative journey!

Related