The DAAD's In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme funds Sub-Saharan African graduates to do SDG-related Master's degrees at African universities — either in their home country (In-Country) or in another Sub-Saharan African country (In-Region) — so scholars build careers in teaching and research at higher-education institutions in the region without leaving the continent. The 2027 Master's calls cover eight host countries with monthly stipends of EUR 400–500 plus tuition, research and thesis allowances. Applications close on 12 November 2026 in the DAAD portal.
Why it is notable: the rare fully funded Master's you can take without leaving Africa; per-institution quotas are small (3–11 places) and each call has its own programme list — the DAAD portal deadline (12 Nov 2026) governs, but host universities may add their own admission deadlines.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Tuition fees (regularly charged amount, specified in the Letter of Award; some fee increases may not be covered).
Monthly scholarship: EUR 400 (In-Country) / EUR 500 (In-Region) for accommodation, food etc.
Study and research allowance: EUR 460 per year.
Thesis publishing costs: EUR 400 once towards the end of the scholarship.
Travel allowance — In-Region scholarship holders only (flat rate, in the Letter of Award).
Health insurance — In-Region scholarship holders only (details in the Letter of Award).
Additional benefits: eligible research-based Master's holders may apply for a 3–6 month short-term research stay in Germany (monthly payment + insurance + travel flat rate); all holders invited to DAAD further-training opportunities (e-trainings).
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Bachelor degree (3-4 years, Second Class Upper Division or higher) |for Masters
"This scholarship is offered for development-related Master's programmes at the participating Sub-Saharan African universities listed in the 2027 calls."
Who can apply
nationals or permanent residents of a Sub-Saharan African country; must plan to pursue a career in teaching and/or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa. In-Country track: study in your home country or country of residence. In-Region track: study in another Sub-Saharan African country. If you have already received a Master's scholarship from the DAAD, further Master's funding is not possible.
Experience
No fixed requirement — applicants should ideally be (a) staff of a public university, (b) candidates considered for teaching/research staff recruitment, (c) from the public sector, and/or (d) DAFI alumni; fresh graduates and professionals are also invited. Female applicants, recognised refugees and candidates from marginalised regions/groups are especially encouraged.
Language Certificate
"thorough knowledge of the language of instruction" required (programme calls specify the requirement)
Other Certificates
degree certificates and transcripts; DAAD portal application documents per the programme call
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
nationals or permanent residents of Sub-Saharan African countries pass. Non-SSA nationalities fail.
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
first academic degree — a completed 3- or 4-year university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) with above-average results (at least Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent); candidates who cannot provide this are not eligible.
02
Recency
the last university degree must have been completed no more than 6 years before the time of application.
03
Nationality/residence
national or permanent resident of a Sub-Saharan African country; no prior DAAD Master's scholarship.
04
Motivation & career plan
clear motivation and strong commitment; plan to pursue a career in teaching and/or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
05
Language
thorough knowledge of the language of instruction.
06
Application limit
maximum three applications within the In-Country/In-Region programme; rank preferences in the Letter of Motivation.
Document checklist
01per the DAAD portal and the institutional call — typically: degree certificates and transcripts
02Letter of Motivation (with programme preference ranking if applying to more than one)
03proof of language of instruction proficiency
04proof of nationality/residence
05(documents listed may vary per call — review your programme call to confirm which are mandatory).
Application fee
No fee — completely free (no fee stated anywhere in the official call documents).
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: host-country dependent (Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso or Malawi student/study permit or visa) — apply at that country's embassy/consulate once you hold the university…
Application Procedure
4 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Pick your programme(s) from the 2027 institutional
calls (max 3 applications across the whole programme; rank your preferences in the Letter of Motivation).
→
02
Check the host university's own admission requirements
and deadlines alongside the DAAD deadline.
→
03
Register and submit a complete application via
the DAAD portal by the closing date (the portal is the central upload platform for all applications).
↓
04
After the first year of study
academic achievements are reviewed — the scholarship continues if you are on track to complete the programme.
Application milestones
12 Nov 2026
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official partner universities incl. 2iE , Jimma… platform.
What is the difference between In-Country and In-Region? A: In-Country scholarships are for study in your home country or country of residence; In-Region scholarships are for study in another Sub-SahaWhat is the deadline? A: 12 November 2026 — the application closing date in the DAAD portal for all candidates. Also check the host university's own admission deadline.Can I apply to more than one programme? A: Yes — up to three applications within the programme; you must provide a clear ranking in your Letter of Motivation.Do I get the scholarship for the full two years at once? A: After the first year, your academic achievements are reviewed; if you are on track, the scholarship continues as planned (up to 24 months).I already have a DAAD Master's scholarship — can I apply again? A: No — recipients of a previous DAAD Master's scholarship cannot receive further Master's funding.Are family benefits included? A: No — no additional benefits beyond those listed in the call, such as benefits for family members, can be paid.Can I do part of the programme in Germany? A: Research-based Master's holders are encouraged to apply for a 3–6 month short-term research stay in Germany within the regular study period (monthly paymeWhen does the scholarship start? A: Usually 1 September 2027 (the exact start follows the affiliate agreement between the host university and the DAAD).
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Burkina Faso · partner universities incl. 2iE , Jimma…
