About the Scholarship
The Helmut-Schmidt Programme, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and run by DAAD, trains future leaders in public policy and good governance. It funds two-year Master's degrees at seven German universities, all taught in English.
Nepal appears on the OECD DAC list of aid-recipient countries, so Nepali graduates are eligible.
What's Covered
The programme pays a monthly stipend of €992, exempts you from tuition fees, and provides health insurance in Germany, lump-sum travel allowances, and a study and research grant. Rent and family supplements are available where applicable.
A pre-study German language course of up to four months is included and mandatory, even though the degrees themselves are taught in English.
Eligibility for Nepali Students
Nepali citizens living in Nepal are eligible. One rule to watch: applicants who have spent more than the past 15 months in a developed (non-DAC) country are not eligible, so this targets graduates currently based in Nepal.
You need a first degree in a relevant field, completed within the last six years, with grades in the upper third of your class and evidence of social or political engagement.
How to Apply from Nepal
Choose up to two of the seven participating Master's courses and apply directly to those universities, not to DAAD. Submit the DAAD application form, a single motivation letter ranking your two choices, a Europass CV, transcripts, English proof, evidence of engagement, and one reference.
The application window runs from 1 June to 31 July each year. Universities and a DAAD committee select jointly, with decisions usually shared around December or January.
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official scholarship website to start your application.
Apply on official site