Deadline: June 9, 2023.

The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo at higher education institutions in Germany. In times of conflicts and displacement in various African countries, this programme intends to contribute to the education of future leaders, who will be essential for the further development of their home countries. “Leadership for Africa” offers scholarships for Master’s studies in Germany to qualified applicants in all fields of study except for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Arts and Architecture. All “Leadership for Africa” scholarship holders benefit from a complementary training programme in good governance, civil society and career development. The mandatory programme must be completed in addition to the regular studies.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The programme targets two groups:
1) Highly qualified refugees who hold refugee status and fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted before 3rd of April, 2022
• Country of asylum must be either Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

2) Highly qualified graduates from Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo who fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Citizenship of either Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
• Country of residence is Chad, DR Congo, Niger, Nigeria, or Togo
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

BENEFITS

• 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.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• 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 03.04.2022.

APPLICATION

Required documents:

• Online DAAD application form duly completed (available on the DAAD portal)
• Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) containing information about your academic career to date, former scholarships, current address and current or previous employers. Please use the European specimen form at https://europa.eu/europass/en.
• 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 programmes which charge tuition fees. This should be taken into consideration while deciding for the master 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 or official proof of asylum by authorities or government.

OFFICIAL LINK