Application Deadline: 10 June 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Programme.
The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Cameroon, Senegal, and Togo at higher education institutions in Germany. In times of conflicts and displacement, this programme intends to contribute to the education of future leaders, who will be essential for the further development of societies in Africa and beyond.
“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, Fine Arts and Architecture as well as Nursing, Midwifery or similar health care-related academic fields.
Requirements
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 2nd of April 2024. Refugee status must be valid at least until April 2026. In case of renewal of status, please provide sufficient proof.
- Country of asylum must be either Cameroon, Senegal, or Togo
- Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application
2) Highly qualified graduates from Cameroon, Senegal, or Togo who fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:
- Citizenship of either Cameroon, Senegal, or Togo
- Country of residence is Cameroon, Senegal, or Togo
- Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application
- Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application that meets the requirements of German universities for admission to a Master’s programme.
- 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 02.04.2024.
Please note:
With a Degree in Medicine, you can apply for Public Health or Biomedical Master related programmes only. A Master’s programme in Medicine is not eligible for funding.
Scholarship Worth
The scholarship includes:
- German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the university studies
- Tuition-free M.A. or M.Sc. degree programme at a public or state-recognized university in Germany starting in winter term 2026 (September/October 2026)
Duration of the funding
Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April 2026 at the earliest and begin their studies at a German institution of higher education by around 1 October 2026. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen programme. In general, eligible Master’s programmes require two years of full-time study.
Value
- 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 will decide whether to fund participation and for how long based on the applicant’s German language skills and study requirements. Participation in a language course is compulsory.
- Monthly scholarship rate payments of 992 euros
- Adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance in Germany
- Travel allowance
- Yearly study allowance
- If applicable, monthly rent subsidy and monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children)
Please note that family reunions may be delayed or even not be possible during the duration of the scholarship, due to the length of the visa process for some home or host countries.
Selection Criteria
- In addition to previous achievements in university (Bachelor’s degree), language skills and the general motivation, the main selection criterion is a convincing description of the planned studies in Germany and the suitable choice of study programmes in the DAAD form “Study course profile”.
- To ensure equal opportunities, social criteria such as special life circumstances, migration background or students from non-academic families may also be considered. Criteria such as social engagement, as indicated in the application form, are also taken into account.
Required documents:
- Online DAAD application form duly completed (available on the DAAD portal)
- Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) containing information about your academic education to date, current and previous employment, former scholarships, current address and relevant language and other skills.
- 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 note that the DAAD will not consider your selection of Master’s programmes that charge tuition fees. This should be taken into account when deciding on your Master’s 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 who 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.
Optional:
Other documents that might be of relevance to your application (e.g., certificates of employment and/or internship, proof of former scholarships, extracurricular engagement, recommendation letters, (expired) admissions to a German Master’s programme).
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the DAAD Leadership for Africa Master’s Scholarship Programme.
