DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship 2027 in Germany — Fully Funded

The DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship 2027 is open now, and the deadline is 31 July 2026. If you are a graduate from a developing or emerging country with a background in public policy, law, economics, or the social sciences, this scholarship covers your full master’s degree in Germany — including tuition, a monthly stipend of €992, health insurance, flights, and a German language course before your programme begins. Seven English-taught master’s programmes are available, all starting in September or October 2027. You may apply to a maximum of two.

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DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship Summary

Scholarship Overview	Details
Scholarship Name	DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship 2027
Country	Germany
Degree Level	Master’s
Benefits	Fully Funded — Monthly stipend of €992, full tuition, health/accident/liability insurance, travel allowance, annual study grant of €460, rent subsidy, family allowance, German language course
Funded by	German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Eligible Countries	Developing and emerging countries on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients
Deadline	31 July 2026

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About the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship

Named after former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, this programme funds master’s study in public policy and governance for graduates from developing and emerging nations. Scholars are expected to return home after completing their degree and apply their skills in ways that contribute to progress in their home countries — in government, civil society, or public administration. DAAD has funded this programme for decades, and alumni now hold senior roles across government, international organisations, and the development sector.

The scholarship is available for seven master’s programmes at German universities, all taught entirely in English:

• Social Protection — University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (4 semesters, blended learning)
• Development and Governance — University of Duisburg-Essen (2 semesters)
• Public Policy — Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, University of Erfurt (4 semesters)
• Peace and Conflict Studies — Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (4 semesters)
• Management in Nonprofit Organisations — University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück (4 semesters)
• Development Studies — University of Passau (4 semesters)
• Governance and Public Policy — University of Passau (4 semesters)

All programmes begin in September or October 2027. If you apply for two programmes, your motivation letter must clearly rank your first and second choice and explain why each fits your academic and professional goals.

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What the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship Covers

The Helmut Schmidt Scholarship covers the following for the full duration of your studies in Germany:

• Monthly stipend of €992 — paid directly to you each month to cover living expenses
• Full tuition fee exemption — tuition is waived entirely; you pay nothing to the university
• Health, accident, and liability insurance — full coverage for the scholarship period
• Travel allowance — a lump sum payment for travel between Germany and your home country
• Annual study and research grant of €460 — for academic materials and research costs
• Rent subsidy — available on application after your scholarship begins
• Family allowance — available from the start of studies for scholars with a spouse or children in Germany
• German language course — a mandatory course of up to four months, held in Germany before your programme begins, fully covered by DAAD
• Networking events and workshops — organised exclusively for Helmut Schmidt scholars throughout the programme
• Academic support and group tutoring — provided at your host university

Note for Social Protection applicants: The Social Protection programme at the University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg runs a blended learning format. During the mandatory fourth semester — which takes place online from your home country or another developing nation — the monthly stipend is reduced to a sur place rate of €500.

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Eligibility Requirements

You must meet all of the following to be considered:

Academic background

• You hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy, or Administration
• Your grades are in the upper third of your graduating class
• Your most recent university degree was awarded no earlier than 1 January 2020 (not more than six years before the 31 July 2026 deadline)
• If you have not yet received your official degree certificate, a confirmation letter from your university is accepted

Citizenship and residency

• You are a citizen of a country listed on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients
• You have not lived outside a DAC-listed country for more than 15 months at the time of the deadline
• If you are currently in Germany, you must have arrived within the last 15 months

Professional experience

• You have relevant practical experience — this may include professional employment, internships, political activity, volunteering, or community service
• The minimum experience required varies by programme; check the requirements of each programme you apply to

Language

• German is not required for admission — all programmes are taught in English
• Each programme has its own English proficiency requirement; check the specific requirement for your chosen programme(s) before applying

Additional points to note

Applicants from India and the People’s Republic of China must include an APS Certificate in their application

If you already hold a master’s degree, you must explain clearly in your application why a second postgraduate degree is necessary for your goals.

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Required Documents

Submit all documents directly to your chosen master’s programme — not to DAAD. The full application package must include:

• DAAD checklist — printed, signed by hand, and scanned
• Completed DAAD Application Form
• One letter of motivation — maximum 2 pages, dated; if applying for two programmes, the same letter goes to both, with both choices ranked and explained
• Curriculum vitae in Europass format, in reverse chronological order, with the date of issue added by hand; any gaps of three months or more must be accounted for
• Copies of all university degree certificates, with certified translation if the original is not in German or English
• Full transcript of records, including a grading scale explanation, with certified translation if required
• Proof of professional experience, internships, or community service — must be on headed paper with original or code-certified digital signature, date, and official stamp
• Proof of English language proficiency
• One written reference from a current employer or university lecturer — on headed paper, with original signature, date, and stamp

Practical note: Contact your referee before you submit. The reference letter must be ready and included with your full application package. Do not wait until the last week — references on headed paper with original signatures take time to arrange, and the deadline does not move.

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How to Apply — Step by Step

1. If your application is shortlisted, DAAD will contact you directly and invite you to upload your documents to the DAAD portal
2. Download and read the official DAAD selection criteria checklist from the DAAD website
3. Review the seven available master’s programmes and identify one or two you want to apply to
4. Complete the DAAD Application Form once, indicating your chosen programme(s) — if applying to two, clearly indicate your first and second preference
5. Write your motivation letter — no longer than two pages, dated, addressing how each programme advances your academic and professional goals; rank your preferences clearly
6. Gather all required documents listed above; arrange your reference letter and any certified translations early — these take the most time
7. Submit your complete application package directly to the master’s programme(s) of your choice — the address and submission instructions for each programme are on the official DAAD announcement PDF

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Application Deadline

31 July 2026

This deadline applies to submission to the master’s programme, not to DAAD directly. Late applications are not accepted. Nigerian applicants: 31 July 2026 at midnight CET is 11:00 PM WAT on the same date.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend of €992, health insurance, a travel allowance, an annual study grant of €460, and a rent subsidy. Scholars with accompanying family members also receive a family allowance. There is nothing to repay.

Can Nigerian students apply for the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship?

Yes. Nigeria is on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients, which means Nigerian graduates are eligible. You must also meet the academic, residency, and professional experience requirements. If you have been living outside Nigeria for more than 15 months before 31 July 2026, you are not eligible.

What degree is required for the Helmut Schmidt Programme?

You need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field — Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy, or Administration — with grades in the upper third of your graduating class. Your degree must have been awarded on or after 1 January 2020.

Do I need to speak German to apply?

No. All seven master’s programmes are taught in English. You must meet each programme’s English proficiency requirement, but German is not a condition of admission. DAAD includes a German language course of up to four months in Germany as part of the scholarship before your studies begin.

How competitive is the Helmut Schmidt Scholarship?

DAAD does not publish a single acceptance rate for the programme, but demand across all seven programmes is high. Strong applications combine a clear academic record in the upper third of the graduating class, specific professional or community experience relevant to governance and public policy, and a motivation letter that connects both to the programme chosen. Apply to two programmes if you qualify for more than one — this increases your chances.

Can I apply while I am still waiting for my final degree certificate?

Yes. If you have not yet received your official certificate, DAAD accepts a signed confirmation letter from your university stating that your degree has been awarded or will be awarded before the start of the programme.

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Official Application Portal

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