DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarships

You will be delighted to hear that DAAD is inviting interested Pakistani graduates to apply for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program 2024. The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program, also known as Public Policy and Good Governance PPGG, allowing aspiring leaders from developing countries to study at top German universities who are dedicated to promote democracy and social justice in their home countries. This initiative, generously funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, provides a remarkable opportunity for individuals to pursue a Master's degree in programs that play a vital role in the social, political, and economic development of their respective countries. By pursuing their Master's degree in Germany, Pakistani students can gain access to top-notch academic institutions and state-of-the-art resources, and through this, Pakistani students will bring back invaluable knowledge to contribute to their home country's governance, policy-making, and development initiatives.

Objectives of the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program

• The Helmut-Schmidt-Program aims to cultivate the principles of Good Governance by nurturing highly qualified graduates with a primary academic degree in various fields such as social protection, public policy, and development studies etc. These individuals will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and perspectives to take up influential positions in their homelands, facilitating positive transformation and sustainable progress.

• The program acknowledges the significance of empowering future leaders who can effectively address the complex challenges faced by their countries. By investing in their education and training, the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program seeks to create a network of professionals committed to advancing democracy, social justice, and good governance.

• One of the remarkable features of the program is that it is supporting individuals from a diverse range of developing countries. This broad scope ensures that talented individuals from various backgrounds have equal opportunities to participate and contribute to the program's objectives.

Scholarship Master’s Programs & Universities

Following is the table containing the names of scholarship master’s programs, their duration and the names of participating German universities:

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program Scholarship Coverage

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program is a fully funded program, it offers comprehensive support to its receivers. It covers the costs of tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend, and offers additional allowances for travel, health insurance, and accommodation. This support not only relieves the financial burden for the participants but also allows them to dedicate their full attention to their academic pursuits and personal growth. Following is the list of benefits, students will receive during the scholarship program:

• Candidates don’t have to pay the tuition fee

• Students will receive monthly scholarship of €934

• Health Insurance

• Appropriate travel allowances

• Study and research grant

• Rent subsidies and family supplements (if applicable)

• 6 months long free German Language Course (mandatory)

• Scholarship holders will also benefit from interdisciplinary networking events and seminars organized specifically for them.

• Due to its blended learning concept of the master’s program “Social Protection”, a sur-placerate of €500 per month will be paid in the 4th semester. The 4th semester will be online and the candidate can take online classes by staying in Germany or from his or her home country. 

Requirements of DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program:

• Only candidates from developing countries can apply for this scholarship program. Pakistani students can easily apply for this fully funded scholarship program. Students can also view the list of eligible countries for this scholarship.

• Only candidates who have graduated with above average marks (upper third) in the disciplines of law, social and political sciences, public policy, administration and economics are eligible to apply.

• Applying candidate’s previous degree must not date back more than 6 years means candidates who graduated before 1st January 2017 are not eligible to apply.

• Candidates who have spent their past 15 months in a country that is not in the eligible countries list are not eligible.

• The language requirements vary depending on the respective master’s course.

• Candidates also have to provide their relevant professional experience or internship proof.

• Candidates who already have a master’s degree must state valid reason why they should be funded for another master’s degree.

• All master’s courses have their own selection criteria that each candidate must meet in addition to the DAAD’s selection criteria.

Documents Required for DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program:

• A ticked off DAAD Checklist form, signed by hand by the candidate indicating the date and place of issue.

• DAAD research grants and study scholarship application form.

• CV in reverse chronological order with precise information about your studies and practical experience, including the date of issue

• A single letter of motivation. The required letter of motivation should provide a precise account of your academic, professional, and personal reasons for applying to the Helmut-Schmidt-Program. It should also include a detailed explanation of your chosen master’s courses highlighting why your first choice is your top preference and why your second choice follows. The letter should convey how these courses will contribute to your academic and professional advancement. Please ensure that the letter does not exceed a maximum length of two pages.

• Copies of Higher education degree certificates along with the certified translation if your degree is not in English or German language.

• Transcripts records containing explanation of grading system of your university. Please provide the certified translation of your transcript if it is not in English or German language.

• Please also provide the confirmation of relevant professional experience or internships, along with evidence of relevant political activities or community service, such as volunteering or working for charities or NGOs. This confirmation should be submitted on headed paper, featuring an original (not scanned) signature, as well as the date of issue and a stamp. If required, please provide a certified translation.

• Proof of English Language proficiency.

• A written reference letter from your current employer or university teacher on a headed paper with original signature, stamp and date of issue.

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program Application Process:

To apply for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program (Master's scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance), please follow these guidelines:

• Ensure that your application is submitted in English or German.

• Clearly indicate that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program in your application form.

• You have the option to apply for up to two master's courses from the provided list.

• Carefully review the DAAD selection criteria included in the Checklist form. Tick off the checklist and sign it with your original signature, indicating the place and date.

• Fill out the DAAD application form 'Application for a research/ study scholarship' once, indicating your chosen master's courses. If applying for two courses, clearly state your first and second priorities.

• If applying for two courses, rank them in order of preference in your motivation letter. Explain why your first choice is your top preference and why your second choice you second preference. Provide clear reasons for each course on how it will advance you academically and professionally. Note that you must submit the same motivation letter to both courses.

• Submit your application form and the required documents to the respective master's courses of your choice.

• Scholarship applications should be directly made to the master's courses means by clicking on the master’s course name you can view their individual requirements and apply by pressing the “Apply online” button.

• All candidates are advised to provide accurate and true information otherwise your application won’t be entertained.

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program Selection Criteria

The selection committee of DAAD representatives and professors from participating master’s programs will select the lucky candidates in October/ November 2024. Selected candidates will be asked to upload their full set of copies of application documents to the DAAD portal in PDF format. The selection criteria of DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program 2025 depends on the following factors:

• A comprehensive statement explaining candidate’s academic, professional, and personal motivation for studying in Germany and his choice and priority for the master's courses.

• Candidate’s motivation should align with the goals of the Helmut Schmidt Program.

• Relevant practical experience, such as professional experience, internships, political activities, or community service like volunteering or working for charities or NGOs.

• Completion of a first higher education degree with above average marks (upper third).

• After the selection process, all selected candidates will be informed in writing in mid or late December .

Frequently Asked Questions

1 - Can I apply for Helmut Schmidt master's scholarship Program at any German university?

No you cannot apply for the Helmut Schmidt master's scholarship Program in any German university. Currently the scholarship is only being offered in six German universities and each university is offering different master’s program.

2 - Is there any age limit for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program 2024?

No, there’s no age limit for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program however your previous degree should not be awarded before 1st January 2017.

3 - Can a student apply if he doesn’t have any relevant practical experience?

No, relevant work experience, internships or volunteering work is a crucial requirement for the scholarship application. Each master’s program has different practical skills requirements.

4 - Maximum how many courses can I send my application to?

You can send your application to a maximum of 2 out of 7 master’s courses. If you apply for more than 2 master’s courses, your scholarship application will be rejected.

5 - Can I bring my family with me to Germany?

You can only bring your family to Germany after the completion of your 6-months long German language course. After that you can bring your family with you for the duration of master’s course.

6 - What should be included in the letter of motivation?

The letter of motivation should provide a compelling explanation of your academic, practical, professional, and personal reasons for applying to the master's course in Germany. Additionally, please address how your motivation aligns with the goals of the Helmut-Schmidt-Program.