Helmut Schmidt Program 2026 funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), offers an exceptional opportunity for highly qualified graduates from developing and emerging countries. Tailored to future leaders in public policy and governance, this prestigious scholarship provides fully funded master’s studies in Germany. The program is designed to foster democratic leadership, strengthen civil society, and promote good governance globally.
Overview of the Helmut Schmidt Program 2026 Master’s Scholarships PPGG:
The Helmut Schmidt Program offers practice-oriented master's courses in Germany that are particularly relevant to public policy, good governance, law, economics, and administration. These courses are conducted in English and begin in September or October 2026. All participating master’s programs have an international and development-focused orientation.
Throughout the duration of their studies, scholarship recipients receive extensive academic and personal support. This includes organized seminars, events, and interdisciplinary networking opportunities. Close interaction with fellow international scholarship holders enriches the learning experience and builds a global network of future decision-makers.
What Is Funded?
The scholarship covers academic education in one of the master’s courses selected by the DAAD. Each course offers a curriculum designed to align with the programme’s development and governance objectives.
All scholarship holders benefit from support services provided by the programme coordinators at their respective universities. In addition to formal coursework, the program includes supplementary seminars, events, and academic exchanges specifically designed for Helmut-Schmidt scholarship recipients. Participation in interdisciplinary and intercultural networking events is also an integral part of the programme.
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Scholarship Benefits:
Successful applicants will receive the following:
● A monthly scholarship of €992 to cover living expenses in Germany.
● Health insurance coverage throughout the duration of their stay.
● Travel allowances for international travel between Germany and their country of origin.
● A study and research grant to support academic activities.
● Rent subsidies and family supplements, if applicable.
● Participation in a mandatory German language course in Germany lasting up to four months, before the start of the degree programme.
Note: For the Social Protection master’s course, which includes a blended learning component, the fourth semester is conducted online. During this semester, a sur place rate of €500 per month is provided to students residing in their country of origin or another eligible developing or emerging country.
Who Can Apply?
This programme is open to graduates from developing and emerging countries who meet the following criteria:
● Hold a well-qualified first university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent), with above-average grades, typically within the upper third of their academic cohort.
● Have a degree in relevant disciplines such as social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy, or public administration.
● Are committed to the development of their home country or region, and are willing to contribute actively to its social, political, and economic growth.
● Have already obtained relevant practical experience, which may include professional work, internships, volunteer service, or political engagement.
● Applicants must clearly demonstrate their motivation to pursue the master’s program and how they intend to apply their knowledge in their home context.
Formal eligibility requirements include:
● If the applicant already holds a master’s degree, they must provide strong justification for seeking a second postgraduate qualification.
● The last academic degree must not be older than six years, meaning it should have been obtained after 1 January 2019.
● Applicants must not have spent more than 15 months in a country not listed on the OECD DAC list.
● Each master’s course may also have its own specific selection criteria, such as academic qualifications, language proficiency, and practical experience.
● Language requirements vary depending on the selected master’s course. Applicants must provide valid language certificates as part of their application package.
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Program Objective:
The central aim of the Helmut Schmidt Programme is to contribute meaningfully to the promotion of good governance, democratic institutions, and civil society structures in developing and emerging nations. This goal is achieved by offering academically qualified individuals the opportunity to pursue master’s-level education in disciplines essential to social, political, and economic development.
The programme prepares future leaders for positions of responsibility in public administration, political institutions, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies. Graduates are expected to bring their newly acquired knowledge and skills back to their home regions, where they can support the development of democratic structures and equitable social and economic systems.
Required Application Documents:
Applicants must submit the following documents:
● A completed and signed checklist, indicating the place and date of issue.
● DAAD application form.
● A single motivation letter, addressed to both selected master’s courses (if applying to two), explaining academic, professional, and personal reasons for participating in the programme, limited to two pages.
● A curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order, formatted using Europass (include date of issue).
● Degree certificates and official transcripts, with certified translations if the originals are not in German or English.
● Confirmations of relevant work experience or volunteer service, printed on official letterhead, dated, and signed (original or code-certified digital signatures accepted).
● Proof of language proficiency in English or German, as required by the courses.
● A current reference letter from either the applicant’s current employer or a university lecturer (if the applicant is still a student), printed on official letterhead, signed, and dated.
● Chinese applicants must also include an APS certificate.
Selection Criteria:
The following are the primary selection criteria:
1. A well-explained academic, professional, and personal motivation for studying in Germany and for selecting the specific master’s courses.
2. The motivation must be aligned with the objectives of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme.
3. Relevant practical experience, including work, internships, political involvement, or volunteer service.
4. Academic excellence, demonstrated through a university degree earned in the upper third of the class.
Selection Process:
A joint selection committee, consisting of professors from the participating master’s courses and DAAD representatives, will evaluate the applications in October and November 2025. Applicants who are nominated for a scholarship will be contacted by DAAD and asked to upload their full documentation to the DAAD portal. Do not upload documents to the portal unless explicitly instructed to do so. All applicants will be informed of the final selection results by December 2025 or January 2026.
How to Apply for Helmut Schmidt Programme 2026 Master’s Scholarships PPGG?
Applications must be submitted in either English or German. Each applicant may apply for up to two master’s courses. The steps for application are as follows:
● Read the DAAD selection criteria checklist carefully and ensure that all items are addressed.
● Complete the DAAD application form once, indicating your selected course(s).
● If applying for two courses, rank them in your motivation letter. Clearly explain why one course is your first choice and the other your second. This same motivation letter must be submitted to both selected courses.
● Submit the application form and all required documents directly to the master’s course(s) of your choice.
● Do not send your application to DAAD.
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Applications Deadline:
The applications can be submitted until 31 July 2025. Applications must be submitted directly to the universities offering the master’s course(s). Applications sent to DAAD will not be forwarded and will not be considered. Each applicant may apply to a maximum of two institutions. Applications without clear and consistent course prioritization or those sent to more than two institutions will be excluded from consideration. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
Conclusion:
So to apply for this scholarship program opportunity and to know more about this scholarship program you can visit the Helmut Schmidt Programme 2026 Master’s Scholarships PPGG official link here.