Helmut Schmidt Programme: Master's Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2026: Deadline, Eligibility, Benefits

The Helmut Schmidt Programme funds a two-year master's in public policy and good governance for graduates from developing and emerging countries who want to work in government, public administration or civil society after they return home. Eligible fields include economics, political science, international relations, development studies, law and public administration. Applicants need a bachelor's degree completed within the last six years, normally in a relevant subject, and an English level of at least B2 at the time of application; German is not required until later. Applicants must not already have spent more than 15 months in Germany by the application deadline. The scholarship pays a monthly stipend of EUR 992 (reduced to about EUR 500 in the final semester), full tuition fee cover at the partner university, health insurance, a travel allowance between Germany and the applicant's home country, a study and research grant, and a mandatory German language course of up to four months before the master's begins. Applications go through the DAAD scholarship database and the partner universities that run the programme, which include Erfurt, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Kassel and the Hertie School.