2026 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt PPGG Scholarship for Developing Countries
The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (also known as Public Policy and Good Governance) assists future leaders from developing countries who want to promote democracy and social justice in their own countries.
The German Federal Foreign Office-funded programme provides students with the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in Master programs that are particularly relevant to the social, political, and economic development of their home countries.
In accordance with the principles of Good Governance, highly qualified graduates with a first academic degree are being educated in political science, law, economics, and administration, preparing them for future leadership positions in their home countries.
2026 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt PPGG Scholarship Synopsis
- Type: Masters Scholarships
- Country of study: Germany
- Sponsored by: DAAD
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Perks: Full Scholarship, €11,904 Annual Stipends, Health Insurance, Travel Allowance
- Deadline: July 31, 2025
Eligibility Criterias for the 2026 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt PPGG Scholarship
- Graduates from developing and emerging countries (bachelor or equivalent).
- Applicants with a well-qualified first university degree and above-average grades (upper third) in Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy and Administration.
- Applicants willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions.
- Applicants who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment).
Benefits of the 2026 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt PPGG Scholarship
The scholarship holders will receive
- Scholarships (of currently € 992 per month) for master’s courses at German higher education institutions.
- Health insurance cover in Germany appropriate travel allowances for travel between Germany and the respective developing and emerging countries.
- A study and research grant
- Rent subsidies and family supplements, as applicable.
- Preceding German language course in Germany, lasting up to 4 months; participation is mandatory.
The following deviation regarding funding benefits applies for the “Social Protection” master’s course due to its blended learning concept: A sur place rate of €500 per month is paid in the 4th semester (mandatory online semester in the student’s country of origin or another developing/emerging country).
Selection Criteria
The most important selection criteria are:
- a conclusive account of your academic, professional and personal motivation for the study endeavour in Germany and for choosing and prioritising the master’s courses.
- this motivation should clearly relate to the goals of the Helmut Schmidt Programme
- practical experience relevant to the programme (professional experience or internships, political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or work for charities or NGOs)
- a first higher education degree completed with above-average grades (upper third)
Formal requirements:
- Candidates who already hold a master’s degree must make a well argued case as to why they should be funded for another postgraduate degree.
- The candidates’ last university degree should not date back more than six years (date of issue not before 1 January 2019).
- Candidates who have spent more than the past 15 months in a country not listed on the DAC list are not eligible.
Application Documents for the 2026 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt PPGG Scholarship
- A ticked off checklist and list of criteria, signed by hand (print it out, sign it by hand, scan it and include it in your documents), indicating place and date of issue
- The DAAD application form “Application for a research/study scholarship” (please type your answers or make sure they are clearly legible)
- A single letter of motivation (even when applying for two master’s courses) including the date of issue and a precise account of your academic, professional and personal reasons for wishing to participate in the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, as well as a detailed explanation of your choice of master’s course(s), indicating why your first choice of master’s course is your first choice, why your second choice is your second choice and how they will advance you academically and professionally, max. two pages long. You must provide the same letter of motivation to both courses you are applying for.
- A curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order including the date of issue (format: europass, please note: the europass template does not include a date, please add it yourself) with exact information about your studies and practical experience; gaps of three months or more must be explained
- Copies of your higher education degree certificates. Please provide a certified translation if the original is not in German or English and make sure these are clearly legible.
- A copy of your full set of transcript of records including an explanation of the grading system. Please provide a certified translation if the original is not in German or English and make sure these are clearly legible.
- Confirmations of relevant professional experience or internships and/or proof of relevant political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or work for charities or NGOs, on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code certified digital signature, the date of issue and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation
- Proof of English language skills
- A current written reference from your current employer or from a university lecturer only if you are a student at present, on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code certified digital signture, the date of issue and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation
Deadline: July 31st, 2025
Apply here for the 2026 DAAD Helmut-Schmidt PPGG Scholarship
