Robert and Christine Danziger Scholarships for African Students

The Robert and Christine Danziger Scholarship is awarded to very good up-and-coming students from Africa (primarily from Ghana or another country in West and Central Africa) who are planning to apply for a Master’s programme at Heidelberg University in Sociology, Political Science, or Geography (with a focus on Geoinformatics or Human Geography) and who need help with funding their studies.

Applicants must be from Africa (primarily from Ghana or another country in West and Central Africa) and plan to start a Master’s at Heidelberg University in one of the listed programmes while applying for the upcoming winter: Sociology, Political Science, or Geography with a focus on Geoinformatics or Human Geography. Applicants must also be planning to move to Germany to study on site, or already live in Germany while attending a language course to acquire required language skills.

Selection is based on meeting the stated application requirements, including needing help with funding their studies and being among the best in their field. The scholarship application is separate from applying for a study place; applicants must apply additionally for a study place at Heidelberg University in the relevant programmes. If selected, payment starts only after submission of a valid enrolment certificate.

The scholarship provides 900 € per month. The award period is generally two semesters, and extension is possible on request and if academic performance, financial hardship, and availability of funds are met, for a maximum period of 2 semesters. During support, receiving another scholarship at the same time is not possible. Scholarship holders may not exceed the tax-free personal allowance, and if they have income for activities, they can accept a maximum 25% position as graduate assistants at Heidelberg University if there is no connection to the scholarship in terms of content and time. Tax-free status depends on the individual case.

• You are from Africa (primarily from Ghana or another country in West and Central Africa).
• You have a very good command of the German language, and the German language test for admission to universities (DSH) must be passed at minimum level DSH-2 before starting your programme at Heidelberg University.
• You are planning to start a Master’s programme at Heidelberg University and are in the process of applying for the upcoming winter in: Sociology, Political Science, or Geography with a focus on Geoinformatics (mit Schwerpunkt Geoinformatik) or Human Geography.
• You are among the best in your field.
• You need help with funding your studies.
• You are planning to move to Germany to study at Heidelberg University, on site, or you already live in Germany while currently attending a language course to acquire the required language skills.
• Applying for a scholarship is not an application for a study place; you must additionally apply for a study place at Heidelberg University in one of the listed study programmes.

• 900 € per month.
• Award period generally two semesters.
• Extension possible on request for a maximum period of 2 semesters if requirements are met (academic performance, financial hardship, and availability of funds).
• The scholarship payment starts only after submission of a valid enrolment certificate.

1. Submit the application for a Robert and Christine Danziger Scholarship during the application period (the application period is closed; a possible new application period will be announced when available).
2. Apply additionally for a study place at Heidelberg University in one of the listed study programmes (the scholarship application does not replace the study place application).
3. If selected, submit a valid enrolment certificate before scholarship payment is made.

• Signed application form.
• Current performance records: First university diploma (original certificate) including the final grade plus an official translation in German or English, and if available, an official conversion of the diploma to the German grading system.
• If the first university diploma is not available by the end of the application period: a provisional certificate from the university confirming academic performances so far (ideally with grades of all examinations so far) stating you expect to complete the course of study by the start of the semester following the application period; missing certificates must be submitted by the start of the lecture period.
• Proof of application for a university place.
• Curriculum vitae in table form.
• Letter of motivation; if applying for Geography, it must include a reference to Geoinformatics or Human Geography.
• Recommendation letter from a university instructor in the specific field.
• Proof of citizenship.
• Evidence confirming your financial situation (money available each month, pay slip of the parents, own wage slips, etc.).