Apply Apply! DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme 2025/2026 — Empowering Africa’s Future Leaders in Higher Education.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) proudly announces the In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa 2025/2026, a transformative initiative designed to strengthen African higher education systems and nurture the next generation of scholars, researchers, and professionals.

This prestigious program offers fully funded Master’s and PhD scholarships to outstanding graduates and postgraduates from across Sub-Saharan Africa. It provides a platform for talented individuals to pursue development-oriented postgraduate studies within their home countries (In-Country) or in another African country within the region (In-Region), fostering collaboration, academic excellence, and sustainable regional growth.

🎯 Programme Objective

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme aims to build robust, internationally oriented higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa that can effectively contribute to sustainable social and economic development.

By supporting postgraduate education and research, the programme seeks to:

Strengthen local universities and research institutions.
Develop highly qualified university lecturers, researchers, and professionals.
Enhance academic collaboration across African regions.
Promote equitable access to quality education.
Support the production and dissemination of research that addresses Africa’s most pressing development challenges.

The DAAD firmly believes that investing in human capital is the most powerful way to accelerate Africa’s transformation. Through this scholarship programme, DAAD builds capacity at both institutional and individual levels, ensuring that African universities remain engines of innovation and progress.

👩🏽‍🎓 Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa who wish to undertake Master’s or PhD studies in fields relevant to their countries’ development needs.

Applicants must:

Be nationals of a Sub-Saharan African country.
Hold a first academic degree (Bachelor’s) if applying for a Master’s programme.
Hold a Master’s degree if applying for a PhD programme.
Wish to pursue postgraduate studies either in their home country (In-Country) or in another African country (In-Region) where DAAD supports the host institution.
Be committed to pursuing a career in teaching or research at a higher education institution or contributing to development in their sector.
Be academically outstanding and motivated to contribute to their society’s development goals.

Preference will be given to:

Female candidates to promote gender equality in academia.
Applicants from disadvantaged or underrepresented regions and backgrounds.
Candidates with a clear commitment to community engagement and leadership.

🎓 What is Supported?

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme provides support for Master’s and Doctoral studies in selected, development-related disciplines that address Africa’s key socio-economic and environmental priorities.

The scholarship covers:

A monthly stipend to support living expenses.
Tuition fees for the duration of the study programme.
Research and study allowance to support thesis work.
Contribution toward thesis publication costs.
Travel allowance (for In-Region scholarship holders).
Health insurance coverage (for In-Region scholarship holders).

Each scholarship package is designed to remove financial barriers and allow students to focus fully on their academic and research pursuits.

🕐 Duration of Funding

Master’s Programmes: Up to two (2) years.
PhD Programmes: Up to three (3) years.

The funding period corresponds to the standard duration of the course at the host university.

🧭 Programme Structure and Strategic Focus

The DAAD scholarship programme operates across multiple host institutions in West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, partnering with leading universities and centers of excellence that share DAAD’s commitment to regional integration and sustainable impact.

The focus areas are carefully selected to reflect the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063, covering disciplines such as:

Agriculture and Food Security
Environmental Sciences
Public Health and Epidemiology
Engineering and Technology
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
Education and Social Sciences
Development Studies and Public Policy
Governance, Human Rights, and Peacebuilding
ICT and Computer Science
Natural Resource Management
Urban and Regional Planning

Through these strategic academic disciplines, DAAD aims to empower African scholars to address real-world challenges, foster innovation, and promote inclusive growth across the continent.

🌍 Host Institutions and Available Fields of Study

West and Central Africa

Cameroon

University of Dschang
- PhD in Parasitology
- PhD in Pharmacology

Ghana

West African Center for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana
- Master’s in Seed Science and Technology
West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana
- Master’s in Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases

Nigeria

Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (formerly Benue State University Makurdi)
- Master’s in Food Chemistry
- PhD in Food Chemistry

Eastern Africa

Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Master’s in Energy Technology
- Master’s in Soil and Water Engineering
- PhD in Soil and Water Engineering
Moi University
- PhD in Biostatistics
East and South African-German Centre of Excellence for Educational Research Methodologies and Management (CERM-ESA), Moi University
- Master’s in Education in Research
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)
- Master’s in Food Science and Technology
Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR)
- Master’s in Research and Public Policy (MRPP) offered at Egerton University, University of Lagos, Maseno University, Mzumbe University, and University of Ibadan
Pwani University
- Master’s in Bioinformatics

Tanzania

Ardhi University
- Master’s in Geomatics
Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)
- Master’s in Embedded and Mobile Systems

Uganda

Busitema University
- Master’s in Public Health
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)
- Master’s in Biology (Natural Resources Ecology, Management, and Conservation)
- Master’s in Biology (Microbiology and Parasitology)

Southern Africa

Botswana

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)
- Master’s in Physics (by Research)

Malawi

Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS)
- Master’s in Environmental Health

Upcoming Calls for 2026

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Malawi — Master’s in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science
Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Namibia — PhD in Computer Science
Stellenbosch University (SUN), South Africa — Master’s in Molecular Biology and Human Genetics
University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa — Master’s in Urban Studies (Southern Urbanism)
University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa — Master’s and PhD in Development Studies

🧾 Application Details

Application Deadline

🗓️ 27 November 2025

All applications must be submitted online directly to the respective host institution. Each participating university or center of excellence has its own application process and specific requirements listed in their individual calls for applications.

How to Apply

Identify the eligible host institution and programme from the official list.
Review the specific call for applications for your chosen programme.
Prepare and submit all required documents (including transcripts, degree certificates, motivation letter, and references).
Submit your application before the deadline.
APPLY HERE!

YOU CAN CHECK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

🧩 Selection Process

The selection procedure is competitive and merit-based. It involves both DAAD and the host institution.

Criteria include:

Academic excellence and potential for research.
Relevance of the field of study to sustainable development in the applicant’s country.
Motivation and commitment to teaching or research.
Gender and regional balance considerations.
Endorsement by the home institution (if applicable).

Each host institution reviews applications and recommends shortlisted candidates to DAAD for final approval.

💡 Benefits Beyond Funding

DAAD scholarships go far beyond financial support. Scholars gain access to a vibrant academic network, professional mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration across borders.

Through seminars, research exchanges, and alumni activities, DAAD nurtures a strong community of African scholars who continue to drive change in education, science, and policy long after their studies are complete.

🌱 Impact and Sustainability

Since its inception, the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme has empowered thousands of African scholars to obtain postgraduate qualifications while contributing directly to their local universities and research institutions.

Many alumni now hold influential roles as professors, policy advisors, researchers, and development practitioners, actively shaping Africa’s transformation agenda.

This programme supports:

Institutional capacity building — strengthening African universities as centers of innovation.
Brain retention — encouraging scholars to remain and work in Africa.
Regional integration — promoting mobility, diversity, and collaboration across African countries.
Knowledge production — generating locally relevant research to address Africa’s challenges.

⚙️ Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity

DAAD upholds the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The programme welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.

Special encouragement is extended to female applicants and those from less-represented or marginalized groups, ensuring that academic advancement remains inclusive and transformative.

📩 Contact and Support

For questions and support regarding the application process, visit the official DAAD portal or contact your chosen host institution directly.

🕊️ Final Note

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme is more than a scholarship — it is an investment in Africa’s intellectual capital and a gateway to regional transformation.

By supporting emerging scholars who remain connected to their home institutions, DAAD ensures that knowledge stays within the continent — strengthening education systems, advancing research, and empowering communities.

If you are passionate about education, innovation, and leadership in Africa’s sustainable development, this programme is your opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to shaping the future of the continent.

📅 Application Deadline: 27 November 2025

👉 Apply now and become part of Africa’s growing network of DAAD scholars dedicated to transforming higher education and driving development across the region.