Want a fully funded master’s degree without leaving Africa? The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme pays for talented graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa to complete a development-related master’s degree at a partner university in Africa, either in their own country or in another African country. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend and research costs. The current round has programmes in eight countries, and applications close on 12 November 2026.
Scholarship at a Glance
- Funder: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
- Level: Master’s degree
- Where: Partner universities in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi
- For: Graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa
- Duration: The regular length of the master’s course, generally up to two years
- Funding: Full scholarship (see Benefits)
- Deadline: 12 November 2026
In-Country vs In-Region: What’s the Difference?
- In-Country scholarship: You study in your home country, or in the country where you hold a residence permit.
- In-Region scholarship: You study in another Sub-Saharan African country. In-Region scholars receive extra support for travel and health insurance.
About the Programme
DAAD runs this programme to build strong, internationally connected universities in Sub-Saharan Africa that can drive sustainable development. It is aimed especially at people who want a career in teaching or research at an African university. Training the next generation of academics on the continent is the programme’s main goal.
Benefits
All scholarship holders receive:
- A monthly scholarship (stipend)
- A study and research allowance
- Funding for thesis publication costs
- Tuition fees
In-Region scholarship holders also receive:
- A travel allowance
- Health insurance
The exact amounts differ by country and programme, and each host programme’s call for applications sets them out.
Available Master’s Programmes
West and Central Africa
- Burkina Faso: 2iE – 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 (UDS) – MPhil Agricultural Economics
East Africa
- Ethiopia: Jimma University – Master in Environmental Health
- Kenya: Chuka University – MSc Plant Breeding
- Kenya: Moi University – MEd in Research
- Rwanda: University of Rwanda – MSc Electrical Power Systems
- Tanzania: Ardhi University – MSc Geomatics
- Uganda: Busitema University – MSc Climate Change and Disaster Management
Southern Africa
- Malawi: MUBAS – MSc Environmental Health
- Malawi: LUANAR – MSc Aquaculture and Fisheries Science
- Malawi: LUANAR – MSc Irrigation Engineering
Eligibility
- You are a national of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- You hold a first academic degree (bachelor’s) relevant to the master’s programme.
- You plan a career in teaching and/or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- You meet the admission requirements of the specific host programme.
Encouraged to apply: DAAD especially welcomes women, refugees with recognised refugee status, and candidates from marginalised regions or groups.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Read the host programme’s call carefully. Each university sets its own documents, selection process and sometimes extra requirements.
- Show your academic career plans. Explain how the master’s will help you teach or research at an African university.
- Link your studies to development. Programmes focus on water, health, agriculture, climate and energy, so show how your work will benefit your community or country.
- Start early. Collecting certified transcripts and reference letters can take weeks.
How to Apply
- Pick the master’s programme that matches your background and goals from the list above.
- Open DAAD’s official programme page and find the call for applications for that programme.
- Follow the host university’s instructions. Applications usually go directly to the host institution, and the procedure varies by university.
- Submit your complete application by 12 November 2026.
View the official DAAD In-Country/In-Region programme page
