Suppose you aim to become a change-maker in your country and pursue a master’s degree in public policy, governance, or social development. In that case, the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship 2026 in Germany is designed just for you. This fully funded scholarship supports outstanding students from developing and emerging countries to undertake selected master’s programs in Germany — all focused on public policy, governance, peace, and development. Applications open on June 1, 2025, and close on July 31, 2025.

This opportunity not only covers your tuition and living costs but also empowers you to make a difference back home with the skills you’ll gain in Germany.

About DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service

DAAD is one of the world’s largest funding organizations supporting the international exchange of students and academics. It has supported more than 2.6 million scholars and researchers since its founding. Known for academic excellence and promoting global development, DAAD’s Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2026 stands out as one of its flagship offerings for public policy education.

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship 2026 Overview

Feature	Details
Scholarship Name	Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (PPGG) 2026
Funded By	DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
Degree Level	Master’s (2–4 semesters)
Fields of Study	Public Policy, Governance, Development, Peace Studies, NPO Management
Eligible Countries	Developing & emerging countries (View Full List)
Host Country	Germany
Language of Instruction	English
Application Deadline	July 31, 2025
Program Start Date	September/October 2026
Apply Through	Directly to the university/master’s program

Scholarship Benefits

• Monthly stipend of €992
• Full tuition fee waiver
• Health insurance in Germany
• Travel allowance to and from Germany
• Study and research support grant
• Rent subsidy and family supplements (if applicable)
• Preceding German language course (up to 4 months, mandatory)
• Additional support for blended-learning courses (like “Social Protection”)

List of Eligible Master’s Programs (You Can Apply to 2 Only)

• Social Protection – University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg
• Development and Governance – University of Duisburg-Essen
• Public Policy – Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, University of Erfurt
• Peace and Conflict Studies – University of Magdeburg
• Management in Nonprofit Organisations – University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück
• Development Studies – University of Passau
• Governance and Public Policy – University of Passau

Eligibility Criteria

For the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship 2026, you must:

• You must be a citizen of a developing or emerging country
• You should hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with above-average academic performance (top third)
• Degree field must be in social sciences, political science, law, economics, public policy, or administration
• You must demonstrate relevant practical experience such as:

1. Work in government, NGOs, or international organizations
2. Internships related to public service
3. Social or political engagement (volunteering, activism, etc.)

• You must have graduated after January 1, 2019
• You must not have stayed in a non-DAC country for more than 15 months prior to the application
• You must meet language requirements as specified by each program
• If you already hold a master’s degree, provide strong justification for pursuing another

Application Process

• Step 1: Choose up to two master’s courses from the list
• Step 2: Prepare your documents (see checklist below)
• Step 3: Write one motivation letter addressing both choices, ranking them and explaining your academic and professional goals
• Step 4: Complete and sign the DAAD Application Form
• Step 5: Submit your application directly to the universities (not to DAAD)
• Deadline: July 31, 2025

Required Documents

When applying for the DAAD Governance Scholarship, make sure to have the following documents prepared:

• Signed checklist and list of criteria
• Completed DAAD Application Form
• One motivation letter (for both master’s choices)
• Updated CV in Europass format (with date of issue)
• Certified degree certificates + translations (if needed)
• Full transcripts + explanation of grading system
• Proof of relevant work or voluntary experience
• Proof of English proficiency
• Recent reference letter from employer or university (if still a student)
• APS certificate (only for applicants from China)

You can check the complete list at the official website.

Comparison with Other Public Policy Scholarships

Feature	Helmut-Schmidt Programme	Erasmus Mundus Public Policy	Schwarzman Scholars
Funded by	DAAD Germany	European Commission	Tsinghua University, China
Host Countries	Germany (only)	Multiple EU countries	China
Monthly Stipend	€992	€1,100 (avg.)	Full funding + stipend
Travel Allowance	Yes	Yes	Yes
Language of Instruction	English	English	English
Eligible Countries	Developing countries only	Global	Global
Application Through	Individual German universities	Joint consortium website	Online Portal
Language Course	German (mandatory)	Not offered	Chinese (optional)

FAQs About DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2026

1. Am I still eligible to apply if I already hold a master’s degree?
   Yes, but you must justify why another master’s degree is necessary for your goals.
2. Is IELTS or TOEFL mandatory for this scholarship?
   Yes, English proficiency is required. Check each course for specific score requirements.
3. Can I apply to more than two programs?
   No, only up to two master’s courses can be selected.
4. Where do I send my application?
   Applications should be submitted directly to the chosen universities—not to the DAAD.
5. Will I need to speak German?
   Courses are in English, but a German language course (up to 4 months) before studies is mandatory.
6. What fields of study are eligible?
   Fields such as Social Sciences, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, Law, and other related areas.
7. Do I need work experience to apply for DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship 2026?
   Yes, relevant experience (internships, jobs, or social engagement) is required.
8. How competitive is this scholarship?
   Highly competitive — selection is based on academic merit, motivation, and practical experience.
9. Can I apply if I graduated before 2019?
   No, your last degree must not be older than January 1, 2019.
10. When will results be announced?
    Selections are finalized by December 2025/January 2026.

If you’re passionate about shaping governance, policy, or civil institutions in your country, the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2026 gives you the perfect platform. For full details and application links, visit the official page of the DAAD scholarship.

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