DAAD Scholarships and Funding Opportunities for South African and Sub-Saharan African Students and Research

Are you a student, researcher, or academic from South Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa looking for scholarship opportunities? The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a variety of scholarships and funding opportunities for individuals at various stages of their academic journey, from Bachelor’s to Postdoctoral levels. These opportunities are available both in Germany and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Below is a summary of the major DAAD scholarships and funding options available:

In Germany

1. Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance – PPGG)
   • Qualification Level: Master
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates in social sciences, political sciences, law, and economics.
   • Description: Scholarships for selected Master’s courses in public policy, governance, law, and economics at German institutions. Duration: 1 – 2 years.
2. Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
   • Qualification Level: Master or PhD
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates with at least two years of post-degree professional experience.
   • Description: Scholarships for development-related Master’s and PhD courses at German institutions. Duration: 12 – 42 months depending on the program.
3. Scholarships for Artists and Architects
   • Qualification Level: Master
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates in Architecture, Music, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Design/Visual Communication, and Film.
   • Description: Funding for postgraduate degrees or further training in these fields. Duration: 1 – 2 years.
4. Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates and Young Academics
   • Qualification Level: PhD and Postdoc
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates with a Master’s degree or PhD completed within the last 4 years.
   • Description: Funding for research stays at German institutions. Duration: 2-12 months for research grants, 1-4 years for full PhD.
5. Research Grants – Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees
   • Qualification Level: PhD
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates with a Master’s degree.
   • Description: Doctoral candidates conduct part of their research in Germany and complete their doctorate in their home country. Duration: 1 – 2 years.
6. Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists
   • Qualification Level: University teachers and established academics.
   • Target Group: University teachers and established academics with a PhD, working at a university or research institute in their home country.
   • Description: Funding for research stays at German institutions.

In South Africa

1. DAAD-NRF In-Country Scholarship
   • Qualification Level: Master and/or PhD
   • Target Group: South African citizens or Permanent Residents with an Honours or Master’s degree.
   • Description: Funding for Master’s or Doctoral programs at South African universities. Duration: 2 years for Master, 3 years for PhD.
2. In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme
   • Qualification Level: Master and/or PhD
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates in development-related fields.
   • Description: Funding for development-related Master’s or Doctoral programs at selected Sub-Saharan African universities.

In Sub-Saharan Africa

1. In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme
   • Qualification Level: Master and/or PhD
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates in development-related fields.
   • Description: Funding for Master’s or Doctoral programs at selected Sub-Saharan African universities.
2. African-German Centres of Excellence
   • Qualification Level: Master and/or PhD
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates.
   • Description: Funding for Master’s and Doctoral programs at African-German Centres of Excellence.
3. SDG Graduate Schools
   • Qualification Level: Master and/or PhD
   • Target Group: Sub-Saharan African graduates.
   • Description: Funding for Master’s and Doctoral programs at SDG Graduate Schools in Africa.

For more information on the application procedures, eligibility requirements, and deadlines, please visit the DAAD website.