INTRODUCTION
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 conflict 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
The programme targets two groups:
1) Highly qualified refugees who hold refugee status and fulfill the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
- Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted before the 3rd of April, 2022
- The 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 fulfill the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfill 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
SCHOLARSHIPS
- 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.
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
HOW TO APPLY
This is what you have to do:
1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>)
2. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
- Download and complete the online application form
- Prepare application documents
- If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
- Scan paper documents (except references) and save them in PDF format. Please note that you can only upload PDF files to the portal.
- Upload the completed application form and the other application documents to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
- Submit the uploaded application documents online.