DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship — Germany Funds Your African Master’s or PhD Right Here in Africa

DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship 2026 — Germany Is Paying for Your African Master’s or PhD and Most People Missed the Deadline. Here Is How to Be Ready for 2027.

Germany spent years building one of the world’s most respected academic exchange organisations. The DAAD — Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst, or German Academic Exchange Service — funds thousands of students from around the world every single year. Nigeria is not just eligible. Nigeria ranks in the top 7 countries globally for the number of students receiving DAAD scholarships. In 2023 alone, 1,638 Nigerian students received DAAD funding. That is the scale we are talking about.

But the DAAD scholarship most African students do not know exists is not the one that sends you to Germany. It is the one that funds your Master’s or PhD right here in Africa — at top universities across Sub-Saharan Africa — with full German government backing.

That is the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa.

The 2026 deadline was April 29, 2026 — which has now passed. But the 2027 cycle will open and this guide will make sure you are fully prepared when it does.

What Is the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship?

Most people know DAAD as a scholarship to study in Germany. The In-Country/In-Region programme is different. Instead of moving to Germany, you study at a top African university — either in your own country (In-Country) or in another Sub-Saharan African country (In-Region) — and the German government funds it.

The goal is to build stronger, internationally oriented higher education systems within Africa itself. Germany funds African academics studying in Africa because they understand that sustainable development on the continent requires qualified professionals who are embedded in African institutions, not just those who studied abroad and returned.

This makes the DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship one of the most strategically valuable African postgraduate scholarships available — and one of the most undersubscribed because it does not carry the “study in Europe” excitement that draws attention to other programmes.

What Does the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Cover?

The scholarship is fully funded for the duration of your programme. Here is the complete package:

• Full tuition fees at the African host university for the duration of your Master’s or PhD programme
• Monthly stipend of up to €8,920 per year — calculated to cover living costs at your African host institution
• Health insurance for the scholarship period
• Study and research allowances to cover academic materials and research expenses
• Travel allowance where applicable

For a two-year Master’s programme, the total value of this scholarship is significant. And because you are studying in Africa rather than Europe, the stipend stretches considerably further than it would in Germany or the UK.

Is the DAAD Scholarship Available for Nigerians?

Yes. Nigeria is a Sub-Saharan African country and Nigerian graduates and postgraduates are fully eligible for the DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship. As mentioned, Nigeria is among the top recipients of DAAD funding globally. For this specific programme, Nigerian applicants can apply for In-Country study (studying in Nigeria at an approved partner university) or In-Region study (studying in another Sub-Saharan African country).

Which Country Has DAAD Scholarships?

For the In-Country/In-Region programme specifically, the eligible countries are the nations of Sub-Saharan Africa. This includes Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and many others. Citizens of any Sub-Saharan African country can apply.

The host institutions — where you will actually study — are spread across the region. Partner universities include top institutions in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and other countries with strong academic programmes in the approved disciplines.

Who Can Apply — DAAD In-Country/In-Region Eligibility

• You must be a graduate or postgraduate from a Sub-Saharan African country
• For Master’s programmes: you need a first degree (bachelor’s equivalent)
• For PhD programmes: you need a Master’s degree
• Your most recent academic degree should have been awarded no more than six years before the application deadline — this is a recency requirement that catches some applicants off guard
• You must want to study either in your home country (In-Country) or in another Sub-Saharan African country where you hold a residence permit (In-Region)
• You must not already be living or studying outside Sub-Saharan Africa
• Female candidates and applicants from disadvantaged regions are strongly encouraged to apply — DAAD explicitly prioritises gender equity and geographic inclusion

What GPA Do You Need for DAAD Scholarship?

DAAD does not publish a fixed minimum GPA for the In-Country/In-Region programme. However, the scholarship is competitive and applicants with strong academic records are more likely to succeed. As a general guide, performing in the upper half of your degree class — second class upper equivalent or better — puts you in a competitive range. The specific host institutions may also have their own academic requirements per programme. Check the call for applications for your specific chosen programme and institution.

The DAAD Portal and Where to Apply

The DAAD portal for scholarship applications is the DAAD scholarship database at daad.de. The official DAAD website is the only legitimate source for application instructions, programme lists, and deadlines. For the In-Country/In-Region programme, you apply through the DAAD portal by creating an account, completing your profile, and submitting your documents according to the specific call for your target programme and host institution.

For the DAAD scholarship 2026/2027 cycle, the deadline was April 29, 2026. The DAAD scholarship 2027 deadline will be published on the official DAAD portal — typically around the same time each year (March to April). Set a reminder now to check the DAAD portal in early 2027.

Step by Step — How to Apply for DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship

Step 1: Visit the Official DAAD Scholarship Database

Go to the DAAD website and navigate to the scholarship database. Search for the In-Country/In-Region Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa. You will find a list of currently funded programmes at specific African universities, each with its own call for applications and specific requirements.

Step 2: Select Your Target Programme and Host Institution

The list of funded programmes changes each cycle. Some years certain universities and disciplines are included that were not in previous years. Review the full list carefully and select the programme that aligns most closely with your academic background and career goals. Each programme has its own application process and deadline.

Step 3: Read the Specific Call for Applications for Your Chosen Programme

This is a step most applicants skip and then regret. Each host institution has slightly different requirements. Some require you to apply to the university and DAAD simultaneously. Others require university admission first. Read the specific call document completely before preparing any documents.

Step 4: Create Your DAAD Portal Account

Register on the DAAD portal at the link provided in the scholarship database. Complete your personal profile accurately and fully. An incomplete profile cannot proceed to the application stage.

Step 5: Prepare Your Academic Documents

You will need certified copies of all your academic certificates and transcripts. For a Master’s application, this means your bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts. For a PhD application, you need both your bachelor’s and master’s credentials. Documents should be in English or German — if your original documents are in another language, certified translations are required.

Step 6: Write Your Motivation Letter

The DAAD motivation letter should cover three things specifically: your academic background and why it qualifies you for this programme, your research interests or professional goals and how this specific programme advances them, and your commitment to contributing to development in your home country or region after completing your studies. Be specific. Generic motivation letters that could have been written by anyone are the first to be eliminated.

Step 7: Secure Academic References

DAAD applications require academic reference letters. Approach professors or supervisors who know your work specifically and can speak to your academic capacity and research potential. Give them enough context about the programme and what DAAD is looking for so they can write a relevant, targeted letter.

Step 8: Submit Before the Deadline — And Monitor the 2027 Opening

For the current cycle the deadline has passed. Create a calendar reminder for February 2027 to check the DAAD portal for the opening of the next In-Country/In-Region call. When it opens, submit in the first two weeks — not because early submission gives preference, but because early applicants have time to correct errors and gather any missing documents before the deadline closes.

DAAD Sub-Saharan Africa Scholarship 2026 — Key Facts

The DAAD Sub-Saharan scholarship 2026 in Africa covered multiple programmes across the region. For the 2026 cycle, partner institutions spanned countries including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Rwanda, with programmes in sciences, agriculture, engineering, public health, and social sciences. The full programme list for the 2027 cycle will be published on the DAAD official website when the new call opens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak German for the DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship?

No. The programmes under the In-Country/In-Region scheme are taught at African universities in English (or French in francophone countries). German language is not required for this specific programme. It is required for scholarship programmes that involve studying in Germany, but not for studying at an African host institution.

Is IELTS required for DAAD In-Country/In-Region?

IELTS is generally not required by DAAD centrally for this programme. However, the specific host institution may require English proficiency documentation. Check the requirements in the call for applications for your specific target programme.

Can I apply for multiple DAAD programmes at the same time?

Yes, but you must clearly specify your priority and ensure each application is complete and distinct. Submitting multiple incomplete applications is worse than submitting one strong, complete one.

What is the DAAD scholarship 2026 official website?

The official DAAD website is daad.de. The scholarship database where you search for and apply to programmes is accessible directly from the main DAAD website. The In-Country/In-Region programme for Sub-Saharan Africa is listed under the scholarship database with its specific call for applications.

Can I work while on the DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship?

The scholarship is intended to support full-time study. Whether part-time work is permitted depends on your host institution’s policies and your visa status in the country where you are studying. The stipend is designed to cover your living costs — the assumption is that you are focused on your studies, not on supplementary employment.

Germany Is Funding African Excellence in Africa. Make Sure You Are Ready When the Next Call Opens.

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship is one of the most valuable and least competitive postgraduate funding opportunities available to African students. Less competitive because most people are looking to go to Europe, not to study in a neighbouring African country. More valuable because the funding is genuine, the academic institutions are world-class, and the network you build is Pan-African rather than diaspora-based.

The 2026 deadline passed. The 2027 call will open. Use the time between now and then to complete your academic documentation, write a draft motivation letter, identify your target programme, and contact your chosen host institution. When the portal opens in early 2027, you will be ready.