Full Program Details
Most scholarship stories for Africans end with a plane ticket. This one does not have to. Germany's DAAD pays talented Africans to earn a Master's degree at strong universities on the continent, either in their own country or in a neighbouring one, and it covers far more than tuition.
The 2027 call of the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme Sub-Saharan Africa is open now, with an application deadline of 12 November 2026. It is funded by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and covers 13 Master's programmes at host institutions in eight countries.
DAAD scholars get a monthly scholarship, a study and research allowance, thesis publishing costs and tuition fees. In-Region scholars, who study outside their home country, also get a travel allowance and health insurance.
Details at a glance:
- Funder: DAAD, with money from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
- Level: Master's (13 programmes in this round)
- Who: graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa with a first degree, such as a Bachelor's
- Where: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi host universities
- Duration: the regular length of the Master's course, generally up to two years
- Deadline: 12 November 2026 (some calls may set their own dates; check yours)
What It Covers
According to the DAAD scholarship database, every scholarship includes:
- A monthly scholarship payment
- A study and research allowance
- Thesis publishing costs
- Tuition fees
In-Region scholarship holders (studying in another African country) also receive a travel allowance and health insurance. The exact monthly amounts are set in the call for each degree programme, so read the PDF for your programme before you apply.
The 13 Programmes Open Now
| Country | Host institution | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Burkina Faso | 2iE (International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering) | MSc Water and Environmental Engineering |
| Ghana | WACCI, University of Ghana | MPhil Seed Science and Technology |
| Ghana | WACCBIP, University of Ghana | MPhil Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases |
| Ghana | University for Development Studies | MPhil Agricultural Economics |
| Ethiopia | Jimma University | Master in Environmental Health |
| Kenya | Chuka University | MSc Plant Breeding |
| Kenya | Moi University | Master of Education in Research |
| Rwanda | University of Rwanda | MSc Electrical Power Systems |
| Tanzania | Ardhi University | MSc Geomatics |
| Uganda | Busitema University | MSc Climate Change and Disaster Management |
| Malawi | MUBAS | MSc Environmental Health |
| Malawi | LUANAR | MSc Aquaculture and Fisheries Science |
| Malawi | LUANAR | MSc Irrigation Engineering |
Nigerian readers should note: DAAD lists a Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) MSc Physics call as upcoming, along with programmes at the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria. Those calls are not open yet and are expected in spring 2027.
Who Can Apply
- Graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa
- A first academic degree (for example a Bachelor's) for Master's applicants
- You apply from the country where you live, which you select in the application form
- DAAD says female applicants, refugees with recognised refugee status and candidates from marginalised regions or groups are especially encouraged to apply
Each host programme also has its own admission rules, listed in its call.
How to Apply
- Open the DAAD scholarship database entry and pick one of the 13 programmes.
- Download and read the call for applications PDF for that programme. It explains the procedure, the stipend amounts and the contact person.
- Apply to the host university as the call instructs.
- Submit the scholarship application through the DAAD portal. DAAD advises using a desktop computer, because the portal works only in a limited way on mobile devices.
- Finish before 12 November 2026, or earlier if your programme's call sets an earlier date.
Timeline
- Now: applications open for 13 programmes
- 12 November 2026: application deadline in the DAAD database
- Spring 2027: further calls expected (FUNAAB in Nigeria, UCT and University of Pretoria in South Africa)
READ ALSO: Commonwealth Master's Scholarships 2027: Funded One-Year Master's in the UK
GizPulse Verdict
Who this is for: African graduates in agriculture, health, engineering, climate and education who want a funded Master's without leaving the continent, and who match one of the 13 listed programmes.
Who should pause: anyone whose field is not on the list. The scholarship is tied to these specific programmes, so you cannot use it for a course of your choice.
One tip to stand out: link your study plan to a real problem back home, such as crop yields in your region or power supply in your city, and show how the Master's prepares you to work on it after graduation.
Apply for the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship 2027 on the official DAAD page
