DAAD-EPOS Scholarship for Developing Countries - M.A. in Development Management

Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) - DAAD provides development-oriented postgraduate study programmes funded by DAAD. DAAD states its purpose is to train specialists from development and newly industrialised countries, aiming to support local experts networked with international partners and contribute to sustainable development. The scholarship offers eligible foreign graduates the chance to take a postgraduate or Master’s degree in Germany and obtain a university qualification (Master’s/PhD) in Germany.

The scholarship is aimed at graduates from development and newly industrialised countries with at least two years of professional experience. It can fund individual scholarships exclusively for postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed on DAAD’s list of postgraduate courses with application deadlines. The value and eligibility depend on academic level, and the programme covers study programme costs through the scholarship benefits described.

DAAD states selection is based on candidates meeting academic requirements and being expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany, including an above-average result for a first academic exam (top performance third) and language skills. DAAD also lists requirements including a Bachelor degree in an appropriate subject, at least two years of professional experience, and a development-related motivation, with expectation to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change after training or the scholarship. A selection committee suggests candidates, and DAAD contacts suggested candidates to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal.

Funding lasts between 12 and 42 months depending on the study programme. DAAD states it provides monthly payments, plus payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance. It also includes a travel allowance unless covered by the home country or another source of funding. Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive a monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance for accompanying family members.

• Citizenship/country eligibility: Graduates with at least two years' professional experience from the countries listed for eligibility.
• Academic level: Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject.
• Professional experience: At least two years of professional experience (related to the degree) before application.
• Academic results: Far above average results (upper third) for an academic degree; first academic exam result should be above-average (top performance third).
• Motivation and expected conduct: Applicants must prove development-related motivation and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after the training/scholarship.
• Age: null
• Work/role description: The typical scholarship holder works either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and is engaged in planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies in technological, economic or social areas.
• Time since degree: Applicants’ academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.
• Residence restriction: Applicants who have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline cannot be considered.
• Language for courses in German: Scholarship includes a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany. Successful passing of DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course is required; a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application is required and needs to be proven by providing a current certificate. DAAD states required German language courses cannot be passed without previous basic knowledge (at least B1), even with the preceding intensive course.
• Language for courses in English: Proof of adequate language skills, according to the regulations of the respective course.
• Application status restrictions/exclusions (portal availability): null
• Application submission limitation: You can apply for up to three courses; if applying to more than one course, list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms and do not change priorities in the corresponding application form.
• Application completeness: Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

• Monthly payment: 992 euros per month for graduates.
• Monthly payment: 1,300 euros per month for doctoral candidates.
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance: payments towards insurance cover.
• Travel allowance: included unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding.
• Additional benefit (under certain circumstances): monthly rent subsidy.
• Additional benefit (under certain circumstances): monthly allowance for accompanying members of family.

1. Send your complete application(s) directly to the relevant postgraduate course you choose.
2. A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
3. If you are suggested, DAAD contacts you to upload your complete application to the DAAD Portal.
4. The selection process is finalized, and suggested candidates are informed accordingly.

• Completed and signed checklist.
• EPOS application form (typed answers or easy to read).
• Curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (using the europass template, including exact information about studies and practical experience).
• One Letter of Motivation with detailed reference to academic, professional and personal reasons for applying for the programme (and, when applying for more than one postgraduate course, detailed reasons for the choice of courses and prioritisation in the same letter to all selected degree programmes).
• Letter of recommendation from your current employer, including official letterhead, signature, and official stamp; current date required; must not be in a sealed envelope.
• Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) showing at least two years of relevant work experience after the Bachelor's degree up to the time of application; if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home (the certificate from the current employer should, if possible, include a guarantee of re-employment after returning to the home country).
• Recent proof of language skills: IELTS or TOEFL for English (institutional TOEFL not accepted); German language required for courses taught in German.
• Copies of higher education degree certificates, with certified translation if the original is not in German or English.
• Copy of the full set of transcript of records, with an explanation of the grading system if not part of the transcript.
• Applicants from the People’s Republic of China: APS Certificate (submitted with application documents).
• Note: Some courses may require additional documents (see the relevant course description in the brochure and on the respective websites).