KAAD Scholarships for Developing Countries to Study or Research in Germany
Eligibility
The general rule is that applicants for Master-scholarships should be of the maximum age of 30, while applicants for PhD-scholarships should not be older than 35.
To be eligible, candidates must:
- come from a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Middle East or Latin America and are currently living there
- have a university degree and professional experience from their home country
- want to acquire a master’s degree or a PhD at a German university or do a post-doctoral research project (2-6 months for established university lecturers) at a German university
- be Catholic Christian (or generally belong to a Christian denomination). Candidates from other religions can apply if they are proposed by Catholic partners and can prove their commitment to interreligious dialogue
- possess German language skills before starting the studies (KAAD can provide a language course of max. 6 months in Germany)
Selection Criteria:
KAAD’s mission is to give scholarships mainly to lay members of the Catholic Church. This means, that there is a preference for Catholic applicants. However, among the scholars, there is a limited number of: Protestant Christians, Orthodox Christians (especially from Ethiopia)and Muslims.
Catholic priests and religious people are eligible only in very rare cases. There are other scholarship programmes catering especially for them.
Expectations from KAAD:
- Above-average performance in studies and research
- The orientation of your studies or research towards permanent reintegration in your home region (otherwise the scholarship is turned into a loan),
- Religious and social commitment (activities) and willingness to inter-religious dialogue.
Eligible groups
Citizens of Developing or Emerging countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America
Participating Institutions
German Universities and Higher Education Institutions
Fields of study
There is no specific subject-preference. However, the selection board has often given preference to courses and subjects that they felt to be of significance for the home country of the applicant. This holds true especially for subjects of PhD-theses.
There is therefore a certain leaning towards “development oriented” studies – this does however not mean that other fields (cultural, philosophic, linguistic, etc.) can not be of significance for a country and are ruled out.
Number of awards
Not specified
Sponsorship duration
Covers the whole duration of research
Scholarship benefits
Covers the cost of studies
Method of Application
KAAD is working with partner countries in the selected regions (see above). There are Partner Committees in these countries and applications are channelled through them: Africa (sub-Sahara), Asia, Latin America, Near and Middle East (including northern Africa). Applications from other countries can be considered only in exceptional cases. Interested graduates can download the application questionnaire. It is then to be filled and sent back to af3[at]kaad.de.
It is important to read the FAQs(pdf), and also visit the official webpage (link to it is below) for complete information.
DEADLINES:
Applications for September selection need to be complete by end of June. Applications for the March-session of the selection need to be complete by end of November the previous year.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD, or Katholische Akademische Ausländerdienst in German) is the scholarship institution of the German Catholic Church for post-graduate students and scientists from (developing) countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Near and Middle East, as well as Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The KAAD supports scholars in form of scholarships and educational programs and offers spiritual and personal assistance in view of future multiplying functions students will have in their home countries. This is based on cooperation with partner committees and associations of ex-scholars in those countries and it aims at setting up (scientific) networks and at contributing to a holistic development, which includes the religious and inter-religious dimensions.
KAAD arose from an initiative of the Catholic Conference in Fulda (1954 ) and in 1958 was registered as an association.
Course(s) Offered: Any field
Course Level: Postgraduate (masters, PhD)
Provider: KAAD
Country to Study in: Germany
Application Deadline: 30 June / 30 November 2017
Open to International students: Yes