Objective
Are you an ambitious graduate from Sub-Saharan Africa looking to advance your education and contribute to sustainable development on the continent? The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a powerful pathway through its In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme.
This initiative funds development-related Master’s and PhD studies at selected universities across Sub-Saharan Africa. You can study in your home country (In-Country) or in another participating African country (In-Region). The goal is clear: to strengthen higher education systems, build research capacity, and equip future academics, researchers, and professionals who will drive progress in their communities.
Scholarships typically cover tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, study and research support, and thesis publishing costs. In-Region recipients also receive travel and health insurance benefits. Female applicants, refugees, and candidates from less privileged regions are especially encouraged to apply.
With calls currently open for the 2027 intake (deadline often around mid-November), this is a timely opportunity to pursue advanced studies without leaving the continent—while gaining access to DAAD’s international network and connections to Germany.
Whether your focus is agriculture, environmental health, engineering, education, public policy, or related development fields, the DAAD In-Country/In-Region programme could be the key to taking your academic and professional journey further.
Who can apply?
Graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa with a first academic degree if applying for a Master’s programme who want to pursue Master’s degrees 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, refugees with recognised refugee status, and candidates from marginalized regions or groups are especially encouraged to apply for funding.
What is supported?
Master studies in selected, development-related degree programmes
Duration of funding
Funding is provided for the regular duration of the Master’s course – generally, up to two years.
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, including 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 respective 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, 12, 2026
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.
West and Central Africa
Burkina Faso
- Institut International d’Ingenierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE):
o Master of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering
Ghana
- West African Center for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana:
Master of Philosophy in Seed Science and Technology - West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana:
Master of Philosophy in Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases - University for Development Studies (UDS):
Master of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics
Eastern Africa
Ethiopia
- Jimma University (JU)
Master in Environmental Health
Kenya
- Chuka University (CU):
Master of Science in Plant Breeding
- Moi University (MU):
Master of Education in Research
Rwanda
- University of Rwanda (UR):
Master of Science in Electrical Power Systems
Tanzania
- Ardhi University (AU):
Master of Science in Geomatics
Uganda
- Busitema University (BU):
Master of Science in Climate Change and Disaster Management
Southern Africa
Malawi
- Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS):
Master of Science in Environmental Health
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR):
Master of Science in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science
Master of Science in Irrigation Engineering
Further calls for applications that are currently not open:
Below you will find a list of the study programmes funded under this scholarship programme that will be published in spring 2027.
West and Central Africa
Nigeria
- Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria (FUNAAB):
Master of Science in Physics
Southern Africa
South Africa
- University of Cape Town (UCT):
Master of Philosophy in Urban Studies – Southern Urbanism - University of Pretoria (UP):
Master of Science in Mathematics
