Daad In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme For Sub-Saharan Africa 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded — German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Getting a fully-funded Master’s degree doesn’t always mean leaving the continent. The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme funds graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa to study development-related Master’s degrees at strong universities within Africa itself — including programmes in Nigeria — while still carrying the full DAAD scholarship package.

About the Scholarship

The In-Country/In-Region Programme is run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and is one of its longest-running funding lines for the continent. Rather than relocating recipients to Germany, it strengthens postgraduate training inside Africa by funding Master’s study at selected partner institutions across West/Central Africa (including Nigeria, Ghana, and Burkina Faso), Eastern Africa, and Southern Africa. Each year DAAD publishes specific calls for participating programmes, and Nigerian institutions have featured among them.

Scholarship Benefits

• A monthly stipend to cover living costs
• A study and research allowance
• Tuition fees at the host institution
• Contribution toward thesis publishing costs
• For In-Region recipients studying outside their home country: a travel allowance and health insurance

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be a graduate or postgraduate from a Sub-Saharan African country, holding a first academic degree
• You’re applying for a Master’s programme in your home country, your country of residence, or another eligible Sub-Saharan African country
• Women, applicants with recognized refugee status, and candidates from structurally disadvantaged regions are specifically encouraged to apply
• You must meet the specific academic requirements of the Master’s programme you’re applying to, as set by the host institution

Fields of Study Covered

Programmes are development-related rather than open to every discipline — think public health, agriculture, engineering, governance, education, and similar fields tied to the host country’s development priorities. The exact list of eligible Master’s programmes changes with each DAAD call for applications, so check the current programme list for your country before applying.

Required Documents

• Completed DAAD application form
• Certified copies of your first academic degree certificate and transcripts
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• A letter of motivation explaining your choice of programme
• Letters of reference, where required by the host programme
• Proof of language proficiency if the programme requires it

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

• Visit the DAAD scholarship database and search for the “In-Country/In-Region Programme Sub-Saharan Africa” entry
• Identify a participating Master’s programme in your country or region that matches your field
• Confirm that programme’s own specific application call and any additional institution-level requirements
• Prepare your documents: degree certificate, transcripts, CV, motivation letter, and references
• Submit your application through the DAAD portal or the host institution, whichever the specific call specifies, before the deadline
• Apply directly to the Master’s programme itself where the host institution requires separate admission

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed against the host programme’s own admission standards together with DAAD’s funding criteria — academic strength, a clear motivation tied to development impact in your field, and fit with the specific programme’s focus. Shortlisted candidates may be asked for an interview depending on the host institution.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

• Pick a Master’s programme whose focus genuinely matches your academic background and career goals — fit matters more than prestige alone here
• Make your motivation letter specific to how this Master’s degree connects to development needs in your country, not a generic “I want to study abroad” pitch
• Start gathering certified transcripts and reference letters early, since these take time to process
• Double-check the exact deadline and required documents for your specific country’s current call, since these can differ slightly from the general programme deadline

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to travel outside my home country to use this scholarship?

Not necessarily. The “In-Country” option lets you study a funded Master’s at a participating university inside your own country, while “In-Region” covers study at a participating institution elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Is this scholarship only for students who want to study in Germany?

No. Despite being funded by Germany’s DAAD, this specific programme funds Master’s study within Africa, not in Germany.

Can Nigerian students apply?

Yes. Nigeria has featured among the participating countries for this programme, including specific Master’s programmes hosted at Nigerian institutions in past DAAD calls.

What does “development-related” mean for eligible programmes?

It means the Master’s programme has to connect to your home country’s or region’s development priorities — fields like public health, agriculture, governance, or engineering are typical, rather than every academic discipline being eligible.

Is the scholarship fully funded?

Yes. It covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, a study and research allowance, and a thesis publishing contribution, with travel allowance and health insurance added for In-Region recipients.

Where do I find the exact deadline for my country?

DAAD publishes a specific call for applications for each participating country and programme each year — always check the current call for your country rather than relying on a general programme deadline alone.