DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Master's in Germany for MENA Students

If you are a student or young professional from the Middle East or North Africa dreaming of a fully funded Master's degree in Europe, the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme should be at the very top of your list this month. Germany's academic exchange service (DAAD) has officially opened applications for the 2027 intake of its flagship Public Policy and Good Governance (PPGG) scholarship, and the deadline of 31 July 2026 is now only weeks away.

What is the Helmut-Schmidt Programme?

Named after the former German Chancellor, the Helmut-Schmidt Programme is one of the most respected scholarship schemes in Europe for future leaders in public affairs. It funds graduates from developing and emerging countries — a list that includes most MENA states, from Morocco and Tunisia to Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen — to complete a full Master's degree at a German university. The goal is simple and ambitious: to train a new generation of public servants, policy analysts, and civil-society leaders who will return home equipped to strengthen good governance, democratic institutions, and social development in their own countries.

Unlike many scholarships that leave you searching for an admission separately, the Helmut-Schmidt Programme is tied to seven specific, English-friendly Master's programmes at German universities: Social Protection at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences; Development and Governance at the University of Duisburg-Essen; Public Policy at the Willy Brandt School, University of Erfurt; Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Magdeburg; Management in Nonprofit Organisations at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences; and Development Studies as well as Governance and Public Policy, both at the University of Passau. Applicants may apply to a maximum of two of these programmes and should state their order of preference in the motivation letter.

What does the scholarship cover?

This is a genuinely fully funded award, with no hidden costs left to the student. According to the official DAAD announcement, scholars receive a monthly stipend of €992, a full exemption from tuition fees, health insurance in Germany, and a travel allowance covering the journey between their home country and Germany. On top of that, DAAD adds a study and research grant, a rent subsidy where applicable, and a family allowance for eligible scholars who relocate with dependants. Perhaps most valuable of all for Arabic- and Kurdish-speaking applicants: the programme begins with a mandatory German language course of up to four months before your degree starts, fully covered, so you arrive in the classroom prepared for life in Germany even though the degree itself is taught largely in English.

Who is eligible?

The eligibility criteria are precise, so read them carefully before investing time in an application. You must be a citizen of a developing or emerging country, hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, law, economics, public policy, public administration, or a related discipline, and have graduated in the upper third of your class. Your most recent degree must have been completed after 1 January 2020. DAAD also looks closely at your profile beyond grades: relevant professional experience, internships, volunteering, community service, political engagement, or NGO involvement all strengthen your file, because the programme is explicitly searching for people with demonstrated commitment to the development of their home countries. Finally, you must meet the English language requirements of the specific Master's programme(s) you choose.

How to apply, step by step

• Choose up to two of the seven participating Master's programmes and check their specific admission requirements.
• Download and complete the official DAAD application form.
• Prepare your documents: motivation letter, Europass CV, degree certificates, academic transcripts, proof of professional experience, an English certificate, and a recommendation letter from an employer or university lecturer.
• Submit your complete application directly to the chosen university programme(s) — not to DAAD headquarters — before 31 July 2026.

Selected scholars begin their studies in Germany in September or October 2027, following the preparatory German course.

Why this matters for MENA applicants

Few scholarships combine full funding, a language course, and a curriculum built precisely around governance challenges that are urgent across the Arab world and Kurdistan Region — public administration reform, social protection, peace and conflict studies, nonprofit management. Alumni of the PPGG network now work in ministries, international organisations, and NGOs across the region. If your ambition is a career in public policy, this is one of the strongest doors into Europe, and it opens only once a year.

Frequently asked questions

Deadline: 31 July 2026. Apply now on the official DAAD page.

Source: DAAD — Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master's Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance)