🇩🇪 Fully Funded DAAD Leadership for Africa (LfA) Master’s Scholarship in Germany – 2026 Intake

Are you a high-achieving graduate from Cameroon, Senegal, or Togo—or a refugee with legal status in one of these countries? Here’s your chance to study for free in Germany. The 2026 DAAD Leadership for Africa (LfA) scholarship programme is now open for applications.

This opportunity offers a fully funded Master’s degree in Germany, along with professional support to prepare future African leaders.

👉 Apply directly on the official DAAD website

What Is the Leadership for Africa (LfA) Programme?

The Leadership for Africa initiative, run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), aims to empower the next generation of African leaders. It supports academically talented graduates and recognized refugees by offering full scholarships for Master’s studies at public or state-recognized universities in Germany.

More than just funding, this programme is designed to help scholars become change agents in their communities.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The programme is open to two main groups of applicants:

1. Refugees

To qualify under this category, applicants must:

• Hold official refugee status granted before 2 April 2024
• Currently reside in Cameroon, Senegal, or Togo as their country of asylum
• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree by the application deadline
• Maintain valid refugee status until April 2026

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2. National Graduates

To apply as a national applicant, you must:

• Be a citizen and resident of Cameroon, Senegal, or Togo
• Hold a completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application

Note: Applicants with a degree in medicine may only apply for Master’s programs in Public Health or Biomedical Sciences. Courses in Medicine, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, or other clinical fields are not eligible.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

Successful applicants will receive:

• Up to 6 months of intensive German language training in Germany (preparatory phase)
• Full tuition coverage for a Master’s degree at a public/state-recognized German university
• A monthly living stipend of €992
• Travel allowance and annual study allowance
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
• Additional rent subsidy and family allowance, if applicable

Duration of Support

• Language course: Begins as early as April 2026
• Master’s degree: Starts around October 2026 and runs for two years

Documents Required for Application

Applicants must upload the following:

• Completed DAAD Online Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages)
• Motivation Letter (1–3 pages)
• Course Profile Form listing 3 tuition-free Master’s programmes of interest
• Language certificates (TOEFL, IELTS, DSH, or TestDaF)
• Copy of Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
• Valid national ID or passport
• Proof of refugee status (for refugee applicants)

Optional but recommended documents:

• Letters of recommendation
• Internship/employment certificates
• Previous scholarship records or awards

Application Timeline

• Applications open: 2 April 2025
• Deadline to apply: 10 June 2025

More information is available in the official DAAD Scholarship Database PDF

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