‘Leadership for Africa’ scholarship programme for Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda

The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda at higher education institutions in Germany.
In times of conflicts 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 studies in Germany to qualified applicants in all fields of study except for medicine1, veterinary medicine, dentistry, law, the arts2 and architecture3. 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.
- With a Degree in Medicine, you can apply for Public Health or Biomedical Master related programmes only. A Master programme in Medicine is not eligible for funding.
- This includes all types of degree programmes in the fields of design, visual and performing
arts, drama and music. See separate DAAD scholarship offers in the scholarship database. - See separate DAAD scholarship offers in the scholarship database.
The programme targets two groups.
- Highly qualified refugees who hold refugee status and fulfil the
necessary qualifications for Master studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:- Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted
before 18th of April 2022 - Country of asylum must be either Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Rwanda, or Uganda - Completed Bachelor’s degree at time of application.
- Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted
- Highly qualified graduates from Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Rwanda and Uganda who fulfil the necessary qualifications for
Master studies in Germany.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:- Citizenship of either Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, or
Uganda - Country of residence is Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, or
Uganda - Completed Bachelor’s degree at time of application.
- Citizenship of either Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, or
The scholarship includes:
- 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
2023 (September/October 2023) - Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!
Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April 2023 and take up their studies at a German institution of higher education by approx. October 1st, 2023. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen programme.
In general, Master’s programmes require two years of full-time study.
- If necessary: Language course (2, 4 or 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. The DAAD
decides whether to fund participation and for how long
depending on German language skills and project. Participation
in a language course is compulsory if the study programme is
taught in German. - Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!
- Monthly scholarship rate payments of 861 EURO
- 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).
A pre-selection will take place based on the submitted application documents. Only complete applications with all mandatory documents will be considered. Preselected candidates will be invited to an (digital) interview with an independent selection committee of university professors.
In addition to previous achievements in school and university, 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 can play a role. Criteria such as social engagement about which you can provide information in the application form are also taken into account.
For further information on the selection procedure, please refer to https://www.daad.or.ke/en/leadership-for-africa-faqs/.
- Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree at time of
application which qualifies to study for a master at an officially
recognized university in Germany. - A Bachelor’s degree of at least 2nd class upper division level
is required. - Not more than 6 years as a rule should have passed since the
completion of the last academic degree (see
https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/important-information-for-scholarship-applicants/) - Good English or good German language skills.
Explanatory note: Please note that the scholarship applicant is responsible for ensuring to apply for admission at the German host
university by the due date. The application process for winter term 2023 is not available at the time of application for the scholarship.
Application periods for winter term programmes at German universities usually start in spring every year. Please be aware that a Scholarship Award Letter from the DAAD is only valid if you have been admitted to a master study programme at a public German Institute for Higher Education.
The language of instruction in study programmes in Germany is usually German, or in international programmes English and/or
German. To be admitted to a programme, one is therefore usually required to submit an appropriate language certificate (e.g., DSH or
TestDaF if the language of instruction is German, Toefl/IELTS in case of English). The necessary language skills for the desired field of study must be proven at the latest by the start of study programme. Suitable proof of necessary language skills or the ability to acquire them within the German language course must be submitted with the application documents.
https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/important-information-for-scholarship-applicants/
Please note that all documents must be uploaded in the portal.
Incomplete applications will be formally rejected and will be excluded from the application process.
The following documents may be scanned in non-certified form and uploaded to the DAAD portal. If you submit documents in your national language, you must include English or German translations.
Required documents:
-
- Online DAAD application form duly completed (available on the DAAD portal)
- Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) containing information about the applicant’s academic career to date, former scholarships, current address and current or previous employers. (Please use the European specimen form at https://europa.eu/europass/en
- Letter of Motivation (1-3 pages) containing a precise description of the applicant’s academic / professional and personal reasons for the choice of degree programme and for wishing to participate in the programme: https://www.daad.or.ke/en/leadership-for-africa-faqs/
- DAAD Form “Study course profile” duly completed (please specify 3 Master´s programmes). Please be aware that DAAD does not consider your suggestions of master programmes which charge tuition fees. This should be taken into consideration while deciding for the master programmes.
- Proof of necessary language skills for the desired master programmes https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/important-information-for-scholarship-applicants/
- 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 the applicant’s passport/national identification card and copies of the applicant’s passport’s/national identification card’s biodata page and other documents containing information about the applicant and their current residence status.
- For refugees: UNHCR registration or official proof of asylum by authorities.
Optional:
Other documents you think 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 programme)
The application is to be sent EXCLUSIVELY through the DAAD portal.
Applications submitted through other channels or to other authorities will not be considered.
Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete.
Please note that the “Application portal” tab in the scholarship database only appears while the current application period is running. Once the application deadline is expired, the portal for this programme is not accessible until next year’s application period.
Email: lfa.nairobi@daad.de
June 30, 2022