DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master's Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance)

DAAD, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office · Checked 30 October 2026

The Helmut-Schmidt-Programme funds future leaders from developing and emerging countries, including Pakistan, to take selected master's courses in Germany on public policy and good governance, with no tuition fees. Applications for the 2027 intake closed on 31 July 2026 and selection is under way.

Deadline: closed on 31 July 2026. Closed for the 2027 intake; the application period for all partner courses ran 1 June to 31 July 2026. Results are expected December 2026/January 2027. Next call not yet published.
See all scholarship deadlines month by month →

Funding	Fully funded
Level	Master's
Study in	Germany
Subjects	Public policy, good governance, international relations, public administration, law, economics, peace and conflict studies, development and socio-economic policy

What it covers

Monthly scholarship of €992
Exemption from tuition fees
Study and research grant of €460 per year
Fixed travel allowances
Health, accident and liability insurance in Germany
Rent subsidy and family allowances, as applicable
Mandatory German language course in Germany before the master's (up to 4 months)

Who can apply

Citizen of an eligible country (Pakistan is on the country list).
A good first degree with above-average grades (upper third) in social or political sciences, law, economics, public policy or administration.
Your latest degree must be no more than six years old (for the 2027 call, issued on or after 1 January 2020).
Relevant practical experience, with exact requirements varying by course.
Proof of English language skills.
If you already hold a master's, you must explain why you need another one.
You must not have spent more than the past 15 months in a non-DAC country.

How to apply

Read the current announcement and choose from the listed partner master's courses.
Prepare the documents in the order given in the DAAD checklist.
Send the application directly to the master's course(s) you chose, not to DAAD, by each course's deadline.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed. Final selection runs until about December/January.

Documents you usually need

Signed checklist
DAAD application form
Letter of motivation (max. two pages)
Europass CV
Copies of degree certificates (certified translations if needed)
Full transcript of records with grading explanation
Proof of professional experience / internships / civic engagement
Proof of English language skills
Recent reference from employer or university lecturer

Official page Apply on the official portal

Scholarship rules and deadlines change every cycle. This page summarises the official information; always confirm on the official page before applying. Official applications are free.

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