No, there is usually no fixed age limit. There are individual exceptions in programmes in which this is explicitly requested by an international partner. Some scholarship programmes stipulate that only a certain amount of time should have elapsed since the last degree was taken (see also question 2). For details, please refer to the respective Call for Applications at www.funding-guide.de under the heading “Application requirements”.

The programme targets two groups:
1) Highly qualified refugees who hold refugee status and fulfil the necessary
qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany. Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:
• Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted before 3rd of
April, 2022
• Country of asylum must be either Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, or Uganda
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application
2) Highly qualified graduates from Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania,
or Uganda who fulfil the necessary qualifications for Master’s studies in Germany. Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:
• Citizenship of either Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, or Uganda
• Country of residence is Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, or
Uganda
• Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

• German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of
the university studies
• Tuition-free M.A. or M.Sc. degree programme at a public or state-recognized university in Germany starting in winter term 2024 (September/October 2024)
• Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!

Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April
2024 and take up their studies at a German institution of higher education by
approx. October 1st, 2024. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen programme. In general, eligible master’s
programmes require two years of full-time study.

• German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of
  the study programme, including the coverage of the test fees for a German
  language certificate (TestDaF or DSH test), pocket money and accommodation (only during the language course). The DAAD decides whether to
  fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills
  and study requirements. Participation in a language course is compulsory.
  • Monthly scholarship rate payments of 934 EURO
  • Adequate health, accident and private/personal liability insurance in Germany
  • Travel allowance
  • Yearly study allowance
  • Additional mandatory training programme LEAD!
  • If applicable, monthly rent subsidy and monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children)
  Please note that family reunions may be time-delayed or even not be possible during the duration of the scholarship, due to the duration of the visa
  processes for some home or host countries.

A pre-selection will take place based on the submitted application documents.
Only complete applications with all mandatory documents will be considered.
Preselected candidates will be invited to an (digital) interview with an independent selection committee of university professors.
In addition to previous achievements in university (Bachelor’s degree), language skills and the general motivation, the main selection criterion is a convincing description of the planned studies in Germany and the suitable choice
of study programmes in the DAAD form “Study course profile”.
To ensure equal opportunities, social criteria such as special life circumstances, migration background or students from non-academic families can
play a role. Criteria such as social engagement in the application form are also
taken into account.
For further information on the selection procedure, please refer to the Important Scholarship Information, Section E.

• Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application
  which meets the requirements of German universities for entering a Master’s degree.
  • A Bachelor’s degree of at least 2nd class upper division level is required.
  • As a rule, not more than 6 years should have passed since the completion
  of the last academic degree (see important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, point 2).
  • Good English or good German language skills
  • For Refugees: Copy of Refugee ID card issued before 03.04.2022
  Explanatory note: Please note that the scholarship applicant is responsible
  for ensuring to apply for admission at the German host university by the due
  date. The application process for winter term 2024 is not available at the time
  of application for the scholarship. Application periods for winter term programmes at German universities usually start in spring every year. Please be
  aware that a Scholarship Award Letter from the DAAD is only valid if you have
  been admitted to a Master’s programme at a public German Institute for
  Higher Education.

The language of instruction in study programmes in Germany is usually German, or in international programmes English and/or German. To be admitted
to a programme, you are therefore usually required to submit an appropriate
language certificate (e.g., DSH or TestDaF if the language of instruction is German, TOEFL/IELTS in case of English). The necessary language skills for the
desired field of study must be proven at the latest by the start of study programme. Suitable proof of necessary language skills or the ability to acquire
them within the German language course must be submitted with the application documents.

Please note that all documents must be uploaded to the DAAD portal. Incomplete applications will be formally rejected and will be excluded from
the application process.
The following documents may be scanned in non-certified form and uploaded to the DAAD portal. If you submit documents in your national language, you must include English or German translations.
Note: The DAAD reserves the right to request certified copies of the documents
or the originals at any time in the application process.
Required documents:
• Online DAAD application form duly completed (available on the DAAD
portal)
• Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) containing information about your academic career to date, former scholarships, current address and current or
previous employers. Please use the European specimen form at https://europa.eu/europass/en.
• Letter of Motivation (1-3 pages) containing a precise description of your
academic/professional and personal reasons for the planned study project. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / Section B,
Point 1.
• DAAD Form “Study course profile” duly completed (please specify 3 Master’s programmes). Please also note the information on how to fill in the
form ‘Study course profile’. The form can be subject to change every year,
therefore only access the most recent version by using the link above.
• fett|Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree or are in the process of
completing a Master’s degree can only be considered in well-justified
cases, if they can explain conclusively, why they would like to obtain another Master’s degree. Please fill in the form “Additional Master’s Degree”.
• Proof of necessary language skills for the desired Master’s programmes. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, Point 9.
• University degree certificate indicating final grade(s) including transcripts of records for all study years with all individual grades incl. explanation of grading system
• Copies of your passport/national identification card and copies of your
passport’s/national identification card’s biodata page and other documents containing information about you and your current residence status
• For refugees: Refugee ID-Card and UNHCR registration/official proof of
asylum by authorities or government

Optional:
Other documents that might be of relevance to your application (e.g., certificates of employment and/or internship, proof of former scholarships, extracurricular engagement, recommendation letters, (expired) admissions to a
German Master’s programme).

Application deadlines are updated at least once a year. In most cases, they are
in the same period as the previous year. You can find the current dates here:
June 9th, 2023

Applications have to be submitted exclusively to the DAAD portal.
Applications submitted through other channels or to other authorities will not
be considered.
The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 hrs. Central European Summer Time (CEST) on
the last application day.
Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Applicants are responsible for
ensuring that their applications are complete.
Please note that the “Application portal” tab in the scholarship database only
appears while the current application period is running. Once the application
deadline is expired, the portal for this programme is not accessible until next
year’s application period.

Find helpful information on

• https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/courses-ofstudy-in-germany
• https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/plan-your-studies
If you have any further questions, please check our website https://www.daad-kenya.org/en/study-research-in-germany/leadership-for-africa-scholarship-programme/

or contact

DAAD Regional Office for Africa
https://www.daad-kenya.org
Email: lfa.nairobi@daad.de
Madison Insurance House, 3rd floor, Upper Hill Close,
P.O. Box 14050 00800 Nairobi
Phone number: +254 (733) 92 99 29
The DAAD Regional Office for East Africa regularly offers virtual information and counselling seminars (WebSeminars) during the application
period for the programme.
Find more information on https://www.daad-kenya.org/en/aboutus/online-seminar-schedule/