Program Description: 

Title: DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program for Sub-Saharan Africa 2025

Application deadline: April 9, 2025

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DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program for Sub-Saharan Africa 2025: Overview

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa offers fully funded scholarships for postgraduate studies to strengthen higher education systems in the region. The program focuses on fostering future university teachers, researchers, and leaders to contribute to sustainable development in Africa. Scholarships are available for Master’s and PhD degrees in selected development-related fields at universities within the applicants’ home countries (In-Country) or at universities in other Sub-Saharan African countries (In-Region).

DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program for Sub-Saharan Africa 2025: Eligibility

• Applicants must be graduates or postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Must hold a Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s applicants) or Master’s degree (for PhD applicants).

• Intend to pursue Master’s or doctoral studies in their home country or another Sub-Saharan African country.

• Female candidates and applicants from underprivileged backgrounds or regions are strongly encouraged to apply.

• For South African applicants, In-Country scholarships are handled separately via DAAD-NRF.

DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program for Sub-Saharan Africa 2025: Benefits

• Monthly stipend for living expenses.

• Study and research allowance.

• Contribution to thesis or dissertation publication costs.

• Tuition fee coverage.

• (For In-Region scholarships only):

  • Travel allowance.

  • Health insurance.

Duration of Funding

• Master’s Degree: Up to 2 years.

• PhD Degree: Up to 3 years.

DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program for Sub-Saharan Africa 2025: Application Requirements

• Completed the application form through the respective university/centre of excellence.

• Academic certificates and transcripts.

• Research proposal (for PhD applicants).

• Motivation letter.

• Letters of recommendation (as required by each program).

• Proof of nationality.

• Additional documents may be required depending on the institution.

DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program for Sub-Saharan Africa 2025: Selection Criteria

• Academic merit and qualifications.

• Relevance of the proposed field of study to the development goals of the region.

• Motivation and potential to contribute to sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Participating Institutions and Fields of Study (Examples)

Below are selected universities and programs previously funded under this scholarship. Calls are expected to open again in summer 2025:

West & Central Africa:

• Benin: University of Abomey-Calavi – Biostatistics (MSc), Agronomic Sciences (PhD)

• Ghana: University of Ghana – Development Studies (PhD), Seed Science (MSc), Molecular Cell Biology (MSc)

• Nigeria: Federal University of Technology, Akure – Metallurgical & Materials Engineering (MSc, PhD)

• Cameroon: University of Dschang – Parasitology, Pharmacology (PhD)

Eastern Africa:

• Kenya: Jomo Kenyatta University – Energy Technology, Soil and Water Engineering (MSc, PhD)

• Tanzania: NM-AIST – Embedded and Mobile Systems (MSc)

• Uganda: Busitema University – Public Health (MSc), MUST – Biology (MSc)

Southern Africa:

• Botswana: Botswana International University – Physics (MSc)

• Malawi: MUBAS – Environmental Health (MSc)

• Namibia: Namibia University of Science and Technology – Computer Science (PhD)

• South Africa (In-Region only):

  • Stellenbosch University – Molecular Biology & Human Genetics (MSc)

  • University of Cape Town – Urban Studies (MSc)

  • University of the Western Cape – Development Studies (MSc, PhD)

Application Process

1. Apply via the host institution’s specific call for applications.

2. Calls are usually published individually by each institution.

3. Submit required documents as stated in the respective call.

4. Selection is handled by the university and DAAD jointly.

5. Applications for the 2025 intake closed on April 9, 2025.

6. New calls for the 2026/2027 intake expected summer 2025.

Restrictions

• Separate calls for South African In-Country applicants via NRF.

• Each program has its own deadline and application process—check institution-specific guidelines.

• Applicants may apply to only one program per application cycle.