Travel grants: DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

Many universities in developing countries are underfunded and overcrowded, and also the availability of top-level university lecturers and practice-oriented training programs is often limited. It is against this backdrop that the DAAD created “development-related postgraduate courses” (EPOS), which are closely linked to practical experience. The program supports rigorously selected graduates from developing countries with scholarships to study for an internationally competitive degree in Germany.

These postgraduate courses have been going through discerning selection processes and have to reapply to the multi-institutional selection committee on a regular basis. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships in Germany for international students for a range of postgraduate courses at German Universities which aim at providing academically educated young professionals from developing countries with further specialized studies.

Level/Study:

• Masters or Ph.D. courses in Economic Sciences/Business Administration/Political Economics
• Development Cooperation
• Engineering and Related Science
• Mathematics
• Regional and Urban Planning
• Agricultural and Forest Sciences
• Natural and Environmental Sciences
• Medicine and Public Health
• Social Sciences
• Education and Law
• Media Studies

Eligibility

• Works either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, is engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with an emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social areas.
• Holds a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject.
• Has completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third) and ideally at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor).
• His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.
• For study courses in German (scholarship includes a 6-month German language course): Successful passing of the language examination DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course. Therefore a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application is a requirement, that needs to be proofed by providing a certificate.
• For courses in English: IELTS (Band 6) certificate or TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, 80 internet-based).

Benefits 

• The scholarships include monthly payments of 750 euros for graduates
• 1,000 euros for doctoral candidates; payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
• travel allowance

Note: 

• The scholarship duration is 12 to 24 months (depending on the particular institution) ) and 36 months for Ph.D.
• Look at the (list of eligible countries) for eligibility.