Scholarship Description
The Fully Funded DAAD Leadership for Africa Scholarship in Germany is open to young refugees and national scholars from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda. This scholarship is available to pursue masters at the top German Universities. The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda at higher education institutions in Germany.
Well-trained experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education, and health for all. With its development-oriented postgraduate study programs, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from developed and newly industrialized countries.
The scholarships offer foreign graduates from developed and newly industrialized countries from all disciplines the chance to take a postgraduate or Master’s degree at a state or state-recognized German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master’s/PhD) in Germany.
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Scholarship Benefits
The benefits of the Fully Funded DAAD Leadership for Africa Scholarship in Germany are:
- 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 programme 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.
Duration of the funding
Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April 2025 and take up their studies at a German institution of higher education by approx. October 1st, 2025. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen programme. In general, eligible master’s programmes require two years of full-time study.
Scholarship Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the Fully Funded DAAD Leadership for Africa Scholarship in Germany are stated below:
- Required Languages: English or German
- 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 (see important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, point 2).
- Good English or good German language skills
- For Refugees: Copy of Refugee ID card issued before 02.04.2023
Others
Required Documents for DAAD LFA Scholarship 2025
- Online DAAD application form duly completed (available on the DAAD portal)
- Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) containing information about your academic education to date, current and previous employment, former scholarships, current address and relevant language and other skills.
- Letter of Motivation (1-3 pages) containing a precise description of your academic/professional and personal reasons for the planned study project. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / Section B, Point 1.
- DAAD Form “Study course profile” duly completed (please specify 3 Master’s programmes). Please be aware that DAAD does not consider your suggestions of master’s programmes which charge tuition fees. This should be taken into consideration while deciding for the master’s programmes. Please also note the information on how to fill in the form ‘Study course profile’. The form can be subject to change every year, therefore only access the most recent version by using the link above.
- Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree or are in the process of completing a Master’s degree can only be considered in well-justified cases, if they can explain conclusively, why they would like to obtain another Master’s degree. Please fill in the form “Additional Master’s Degree”.
- Proof of necessary language skills for the desired Master’s programmes. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, Point 9.
- University degree certificate indicating final grade(s) including transcripts of records for all study years with all individual grades incl. explanation of grading system
- Copies of your passport/national identification card and copies of your passport’s/national identification card’s biodata page and other documents containing information about you and your current residence status
- For refugees: Refugee ID-Card and UNHCR registration/official proof of asylum by authorities or government
Optional:
Other documents that might be of relevance to your application (e.g., certificates of employment and/or internship, proof of former scholarships, extracurricular engagement, recommendation letters, (expired) admissions to a German Master’s programme).
Please note
Applications have to be submitted exclusively to the DAAD portal.
Applications submitted through other channels or to other authorities will not be considered.
The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 hrs. Central European Summer Time (CEST) on the last application day.
Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete.
Please note that the “Application portal” tab in the scholarship database only appears while the current application period is running. Once the application deadline is expired, the portal for this programme is not accessible until next year’s application period.