DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2027 To Study In Germany

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Applications for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2027 are now open. Formerly known as the Public Policy and Good Governance (PPGG) scholarship, this fully funded programme enables future leaders from developing and emerging countries to pursue a Master’s degree in public policy, governance, development, law, peace studies, or nonprofit management at one of seven leading German universities. The application period runs from 1 June until 31 July 2026.

Administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme covers the full cost of graduate education in Germany, including a monthly stipend of €992, complete health insurance, travel allowances, an annual study and research grant, rent subsidies, family supplements where applicable, and a mandatory German language course of up to six months before the start of studies. DAAD scholarship holders are exempt from tuition fees. The programme prepares highly qualified graduates for responsible leadership positions in their home countries and regions, in alignment with the principles of good governance, democracy, and the reduction of social inequalities.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme — named after the late German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt — was created to support future leaders from developing countries who are committed to promoting democracy and social justice in their home regions. It is one of Germany’s most competitive and prestigious scholarship programmes for international students in governance-related disciplines.

The programme operates at the intersection of academic education and practical leadership development. Scholarship holders are enrolled in carefully selected Master’s programmes at German universities that focus on disciplines of direct relevance to the social, political, and economic development of their countries of origin. Throughout their studies, all scholars benefit from accompanying support services provided by programme coordinators at their respective universities, participation in events and seminars organised specifically for Helmut-Schmidt scholars, close exchange with other international scholarship holders, and interdisciplinary networking events.

The underlying philosophy is clear: knowledge and experience acquired in Germany should enable scholars to later contribute to the establishment of democratically oriented economic and social systems aimed at overcoming social differences.

PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES AND MASTER’S COURSES

The scholarship is offered exclusively for the following seven Master’s courses at German universities. Candidates may apply to a maximum of two courses:

• Social Protection — Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (English, 4 semesters, blended learning). Contact: [email protected]
• Development and Governance — University of Duisburg-Essen (English, 2 semesters). Contact: [email protected]
• Public Policy (MPP) — Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, University of Erfurt (English, 4 semesters). Contact: [email protected]
• Peace and Conflict Studies — University of Magdeburg (English, 4 semesters). Contact: [email protected]
• Management in Nonprofit Organisations — Hochschule Osnabrück (English, 4 semesters). Contact: [email protected]
• Development Studies — University of Passau (English, 4 semesters). Contact: [email protected]
• Governance and Public Policy — University of Passau (German and English, 4 semesters). Contact: [email protected]

Each course has its own admission criteria (degree requirements, grades, language proficiency, practical experience) that must be met in addition to the DAAD’s selection criteria. Candidates should consult each university’s website for programme-specific details.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme is a comprehensive, fully funded scholarship. The financial package includes:

• Monthly stipend of €992 for Master’s studies at a German university.
• Full tuition fee exemption (a modest semester registration fee still applies).
• Health, accident, and liability insurance in Germany.
• An annual study and research grant of €460.
• An appropriate travel allowance between Germany and the scholar’s home country.
• Rent subsidy, as applicable depending on local housing costs.
• Family and child supplements for scholars who bring dependents to Germany (available from the start of Master’s studies, after the language course).
• A mandatory German language course in Germany (up to 6 months before the start of studies), fully funded.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To apply for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, candidates must meet the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of a developing or emerging country included on the official DAAD list of eligible countries (based on the OECD DAC list).
• Hold a well-qualified first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) with above-average grades (upper third of the class).
• Have studied in a relevant field: Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, or closely related disciplines.
• Have practical experience relevant to the programme’s goals: professional work experience, internships, political engagement, volunteering, or work for charities or NGOs.
• Be willing to actively contribute to the social, political, and economic development of their home country or region after completing studies.
• Have completed their degree before the application deadline (31 July 2026). Candidates who will graduate after this date cannot be considered for the 2027 round.
• The candidate’s last university degree must not date back more than six years (issued no earlier than 1 January 2020 for the 2027 intake).
• Candidates who have resided in a country not on the DAC list for more than 15 months at the time of the deadline are not eligible.

There is no age limit. Candidates who already hold a Master’s degree may apply but must provide a compelling justification for pursuing a second postgraduate qualification.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

All participating Master’s courses are mainly taught in English (with the exception of the Governance and Public Policy course at Passau, which is bilingual German-English). Each university sets its own specific English language proficiency requirements and may require TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent certificates.

German language knowledge is not required at the time of application. All scholarship holders participate in a mandatory German language course of up to six months in Germany before the start of their Master’s studies, fully funded by the DAAD.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

The application dossier must include the following, all in English or German:

• DAAD checklist and list of criteria, ticked off and signed by hand (no scanned signatures), with place and date.
• DAAD application form (“Application for a Research/Study Scholarship”), clearly indicating the chosen Master’s course(s) and priorities. Typed or clearly legible.
• A single letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages), covering academic, professional, and personal reasons for applying, the link to the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme’s goals, and — if applying to two courses — a clear ranking and justification of priorities. The same letter must be submitted to both courses.
• A Curriculum Vitae in Europass format, in reverse chronological order, with no unexplained gaps, including exact dates for all studies and professional experiences.
• Copies of university degree certificates (with certified translation if not in English or German).
• Full transcript of records with an explanation of the grading system (certified translation if necessary).
• Confirmation of practical experience: letters from employers, internship supervisors, or organisations, on official letterhead with original or digitally certified signatures, dates, and stamps.
• Proof of English language skills (certificate type depends on the chosen university).
• A current written reference from a current employer or university lecturer, on official letterhead with original or digitally certified signature, date, and stamp.

HOW TO APPLY — STEP BY STEP

The application process follows a specific structure that candidates must respect carefully.

Step 1 — Choose your Master’s course(s). Research the seven eligible courses, review each university’s specific admission criteria, and select a maximum of two programmes. Rank them by priority.

Step 2 — Prepare your documents. Complete the DAAD application form, write your single letter of motivation, gather all required certificates and proofs, and sign the checklist by hand.

Step 3 — Submit to the university, not to the DAAD. Send your complete application package directly to the Master’s course(s) of your choice. Applications sent to the DAAD will not be forwarded to the universities.

Step 4 — University review and nomination. Each university evaluates applications against both its own admission criteria and the DAAD’s standards, then nominates selected candidates to the DAAD.

Step 5 — DAAD selection committee. A joint committee of university professors and DAAD representatives conducts the final selection in October/November 2026.

Step 6 — DAAD portal upload. Only nominated candidates are contacted by the DAAD and asked to upload final documents to the DAAD portal. Candidates should not upload anything unless explicitly instructed.

Step 7 — Final results. All applicants are informed in writing. Final decisions are expected in December 2026 / January 2027.

KEY DATES — 2027 INTAKE

• 1 June 2026 — Application period opens.
• 31 July 2026 — Application deadline (all universities).
• October – November 2026 — Selection committee evaluation.
• December 2026 / January 2027 — Final results communicated to all applicants.
• Early 2027 — Mandatory German language course begins in Germany (up to 6 months).
• September / October 2027 — Master’s studies begin at the host university.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The DAAD selection committee evaluates candidates on the following grounds:

• A convincing account of academic, professional, and personal motivation for studying in Germany and for choosing the specific Master’s course(s).
• Clear alignment between the candidate’s motivation and the goals of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (good governance, democracy, social justice, development).
• Practical experience relevant to the programme: professional work, internships, political activities, community service, volunteering, or NGO engagement.
• A first degree completed with above-average grades (upper third).

Beyond the DAAD criteria, each Master’s course applies its own selection standards, which may include specific academic prerequisites, grade thresholds, language certificates, or demonstrated professional experience.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

The programme is open to citizens of developing and emerging countries as defined by the OECD DAC list. The official list includes over 140 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the Pacific Islands. Key countries include (non-exhaustive): Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (DRC), Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and many others.

The full list of eligible countries is published in the official DAAD List of Countries (PDF).

CONTACT

For programme-specific questions, candidates should contact the representatives of their chosen Master’s course(s) directly (see email addresses above). The DAAD will not answer questions about individual applications. For general information about the programme, visit the DAAD Scholarship Database page.

Apply Now Official Announcement (PDF)