Master scholarships for Master students from Sub-Saharan Africa fleeing the war in Ukraine

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The DAAD has launched a special programme for Sub-Saharan African students whose studies are interrupted due to the war against Ukraine to continue/complete their studies in their home country or region.

Background

The Scholarship programme for Master students from Sub-Saharan Africa fleeing the war against Ukraine is a subprogramme of the In-Country/In-Region Scholarship programme. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and managed by the German Academic Exchange Service.

Programme Objectives

The goal of the programme is to provide Master scholarships to students who are nationals of a Sub-Saharan African country and whose Master studies are interrupted because of the war in Ukraine. Scholarship holders are given the opportunity to continue their academic career at a higher education institution in their home country or within their home region (in Sub-Saharan-Africa).

Scholarships are available for those who meet all of the following criteria.

Applicants must be students who:
- started their Master studies in Ukraine, hence had a student status at a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution on 24 February 2022 and fled because of the war;
- are nationals or permanent residents of a Sub-Saharan country;
- have successfully completed generally a three-year university degree (e.g. a Bachelor's degree) with above average results (at least: Second Class/Lower Division or equivalent, if applicable);
- clearly show motivation and strong commitment;
- have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction;
- have generally completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application.
The Scholarship Programme supports full-time higher education Master's studies leading to a degree. Students may:
1. either continue their Master studies in the original study field started in Ukraine, or
2. if the original study field is not available, then in the Master programme that is the closest match for the original, or
3. continue their studies in another Master’s programme of which they fulfil the admission requirements based on previous, recognised studies.
Medical programmes that generally last longer than 2 years are not eligible. Whereas medical related fields such as public health or nursery programmes that provide a distinction between master's and bachelor's degrees are eligible to be chosen within this scholarship programme.
Scholarships are awarded either for Master studies at a preferably public university in Sub-Saharan Africa that offer high quality Master’s programmes that have been accredited or for a Master’s programme at one of the DAAD's partner universities within the In-Country/In-Region scholarship programme.
The list of the Master’s programmes at one of the DAAD In-Country/In-Region partner universities can be found here.
Funding is provided for the usual duration of a Master's programme – generally, up to two years – starting in September 2022.

Please note that the maximum duration of the scholarship is based on the time that is left until the scholarship holder has reached the regular period of studies in that programme; i.e., if you apply for a scholarship starting in the second year of studies of a two-year programme, the maximum duration of the scholarship will be one year.

Scholarships are initially granted for one year and can be extended to a maximum of the regular period of study upon receipt of an application for extension. Scholars must demonstrate satisfactory progress before an extension is granted.

The applications will be reviewed by the DAAD. Incomplete applications will be denied for formal reasons and are not being included in the review process.

Applications must be submitted via the DAAD portal. After logging in to the portal, click on said link. Access the tab "Personal funding" -> "Application". The programme will be preset. Now select the "Country of residence". The country of offer is then filled in automatically. The button "Continue" can then be used and the application form downloaded in the next step. The rest of the procedure is described in the portal instructions.

Applications submitted through other channels or to other authorities will not be considered. The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 hrs. Central European Time (CET or CEST) on 13 July 2022 (EXTENDED DEADLINE).
A complete application consists of the following documents

DAAD application form duly filled in (available in the DAAD-Portal)

Curriculum Vitae

Letter of admission for the host university in Sub-Saharan Africa (This can be subsequently submitted before the scholarship begins if it is not available at the time of application. If so, a provisional letter of ad-mission or any communication with the host institution that proves the start of the admission process should be submitted.)

Bachelor’s degree certificate including the final grade

Transcripts for all semesters of the Bachelor's degree programme (if possible)

Motivation letter (DAAD form) explaining:

previous academic career (including a listing of universities and study programmes attended);

the programme choice and how it is matching with the Master's programme in Ukraine;

motivation for the application.

Proof of student status at a recognised higher education institution in Ukraine on 24 February 2022. (If the applicant has a Certificate of Student Status, this document should be uploaded. If the applicant does not have a Certificate of Student Status, any documents can be submitted that provide credible evidence of student status in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, such as the official documents or emails received from the Ukrainian university, in some cases the copy of the Ukrainian student card etc.)

Copy of the passport

Copy of the last visa certificate for the study stay in Ukraine

If a Master's programme is chosen that is not offered at a DAAD partner university under the In-Country/In-Region scholarship programme, the following documents should be submitted if possible: Accreditation certificate of the programme and/or course plan for the whole programme and/or semester plan etc.
If you do not have documents such as recommendation letter and/or letter of admission at the time of application, please mention and explain this at an appropriate place in your application.

Any further questions?

You have read the programme description in detail and still have questions? Then you might find your answer among the important information for scholarship applicants. If your question still could not be answered, please use the contact form of the National Academic Contact Point Ukraine and send us a request. We will answer it as soon as possible.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

National Academic Contact Point Ukraine

Click here for the Contact Form.