The German Academic Exchange Service DAAD in collaboration with the Institute for Poverty, Land & Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of the Western Cape (UWC), is offering in-country/in-region scholarships, within the Network of Excellence for Land Governance in Africa (NELGA). This forms part of the Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) program funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (MBZ). DAAD is offering the fully funded scholarship to African Students for Postgraduate (Masters and Doctoral) Studies in Poverty, Land & Agrarian Studies, offered at PLAAS, UWC. DAAD aims this scholarship towards young candidates, mid-career professionals, researchers, and university staff. Further, DAAD encourages female applicants and candidates from less privileged regions or groups to participate in the program.

Fully Funded DAAD Scholarship

The recipients of the fully funded DAAD Scholarship will receive:

• Tuition fee cost
• Annual Stuy and Research Allowance (€460 for Masters Students, €920 for PhD Students)
• Printing allowance at the end of the study (€400 for Masters Students, €800 for PhD Students)
• Monthly Stipend for accommodation, meal, etc (€400-450 for Masters Students, €450-500 for PhD Students)
• Travel Allowance twice a year
• Insurance Allowance

Eligibility for the African Students for DAAD Scholarship

African Students are eligible for the fully funded DAAD PLAAS NELGA scholarship  if they:

• have successfully completed generally a three-year university degree (Master candidates) or a two-year university degree (doctoral candidates) with above-average results (upper third of class)
• clearly show motivation as well as a strong commitment
• have a thorough knowledge of the language of instruction
• must be nationals or permanent resident of an African country
• Further, hold a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation or be in the process of obtaining one if they hold a non-South African university degree;
• should generally be a) staff member of a public university; b) candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment; c) Also, from the public sector.

How to apply for the fully funded DAAD Scholarship?

Prior to applying for the fully funded DAAD Scholarship, the African Students must apply for the admission at PLAAS before the deadline. PLAAS has set its own deadlines.

PLAAS will then screen, pre-select (according to DAAD selection criteria) and short-list the applicants. Moreover, PLAAS will provide a detailed report consisting of the shortlisting procedure, the entire list of applicants, the ranked shortlist and the shortlisting panel members to DAAD.

PLAAS will also provide the shortlisted candidates with the link to the DAAD-Portal. Only the pre-selected candidates may register and submit the DAAD Scholarship application. Along with the application, the candidates must also include:

• DAAD application form duly filled in (available in the DAAD-Portal)
• Hand-signed curriculum vitae including a list of publications (if applicable).
• Likewise, a recommendation letter by university teachers (Master: 1, PhD: 2)
• Further, letter of admission for the host university
• Certified copies of university degree certificates including transcripts
• Letter of motivation
• Also, a copy of passport
• In the case of non-South African university degrees: SAQA Certificate of Evaluation

Deadline

African Students can apply for the Fully Funded DAAD Scholarship until 30 November 2019 while the deadline for the PLAAS admission is 31 October 2019. DAAD will not entertain applications arriving after the deadline.