DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarships offer Kenyan students fully funded opportunities for Master's, PhD, and sometimes undergraduate studies, primarily through programs like In-Country/In-Region (studying in Kenya/East Africa), EPOS (development-related postgraduate courses in Germany), and short-term research grants.
General Eligibility Requirements for Kenyans
Kenyans qualify as Sub-Saharan African nationals/residents. Core criteria apply across most programs:
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Academic Qualifications:
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Master's applicants: 3-year Bachelor's (2nd class upper division or GPA 2.0+ equivalent); last degree ≤6 years old.
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PhD applicants: 2-year Master's (above average, e.g., upper 2nd class); last degree ≤6 years old.
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Undergrad (rare, e.g., study visits): 2+ years completed at Kenyan uni.
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Residency/Status: Kenyan citizen or permanent resident; not living >15 months outside eligible countries (for some Germany-based programs).
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Language Proficiency: Matches program (e.g., English B2/C1 IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught; German TestDaF/DSH for German-taught).
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Commitment: Strong motivation letter showing development impact/relevance to Kenya (e.g., poverty reduction, sustainability).
Program-Specific Requirements
Requirements vary by call for applications (check daad-kenya.org or daad.de).
| Program | Level | Key Requirements | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Country/In-Region (e.g., Kenyatta Uni, ARUA) | Master's/PhD | Above-average degree; SSA citizen; ≤6 yrs since last degree; admission to partner uni | Monthly stipend, tuition, insurance, travel (24-36 months) |
| EPOS (Development Courses) | Master's | Bachelor's upper 2nd class; 2+ yrs work exp; German/English skills | Full tuition, €934/month, health insurance, travel |
| Helmut-Schmidt (Public Policy) | Master's | Bachelor's good grades; leadership potential; English/German | €934/month + extras (1-2 yrs) |
| DLR (STEM Research) | Master's/PhD | Relevant degree; research proposal | Stipend, research allowance |
Required Documents
Submit via DAAD portal + uni admission simultaneously. All in English:
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DAAD form/CV (max 3 pages tabular).
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Motivation letter (1-2 pages, academic/professional reasons).
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1-2 recommendation letters (signed/stamped, <1 year old).
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Certified degree/transcripts (with grading scale).
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Language certificates.
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Passport/ID copy.
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PhD: Supervisor acceptance + 8-10 page proposal/timeline.
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Work proof (if required).
Application Process
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Find programs on daad.de/scholarships or daad-kenya.org (deadlines: Aug-Dec for next year).
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Apply to host uni + DAAD portal by deadline.
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Shortlisting by uni/DAAD; interviews possible.
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Final selection committee decision (results: 2-4 months).
Tips for Kenyan Applicants
Prioritize In-Country for no relocation; highlight Kenya's development needs. Deadlines for 2026/27 likely Oct 2026—check calls. Contact info@daad-kenya.org for queries.