Applications are now open for the 2026 DAAD In-Country/In-Region Masters/PhD Scholarship Programme.
The programme aims at fostering strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. To this end, scholarships are granted for development-related Master or doctoral studies for individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and / or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa
In-Country/In-Region Programme Sub-Saharan Africa • DAAD
Objective
The programme aims at fostering strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. To this end, scholarships are granted for development-related Master or doctoral studies for individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and / or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme aims at university staff in the first line, without neglecting the public sector demand of academically trained personnel (more general background information about the programme can be found here).
Who can apply?
Graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa with a first academic degree if applying for a Master’s programme, or with a Master’s degree if applying for a doctoral programme who want to pursue Master’s or PhD courses in their home country or in the country for which they have a residence permit (so called In-Country scholarships) or in another Sub-Saharan African country, outside their home country/in the country for which they do not have a residence permit (so called In-Region scholarships).
Female applicants and candidates from less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme.
Please note that In-Country scholarships for students from South Africa are administrated by a cooperation between DAAD and NRF in a separate call for applications and a separate deadline.
What is supported?
Master and PhD studies in selected, development-related degree programmes
Duration of funding
Funding is provided for the usual duration of a course – generally, up to two years for Master's and up to three years for the PhD degree programmes.
Value
Generally:
- Monthly scholarship
- Study and research allowance
- Thesis publishing costs
- Tuition fees
Only applicable for In-Region scholarship holders:
- Travel allowance
- Health insurance
For further information, in particular the respective amounts, please see the call for applications of the degree programme you wish to apply for.
Selection
The selection process differs between the individual degree programmes. Please see the call for applications for further information.
Please note that the application procedure may differ between the regions and host institutions. The specific application instructions regarding each host institution are listed in the respective calls for applications (linked below).
Application deadline
Application deadline is November 27, 2025.
More detailed information
Below you will find a list of the degree programmes funded under this scholarship programme with links to the corresponding calls for applications, for which the application period is currently open.
>>>list of the degree programmes