Please apply via our application portal from 1 June until 31 July 2024.
The programme is open for future leaders who would like to become actively involved in further social and economic development in their home countries and regions. It is addressed at young graduates, as well as junior managers with job experience (specific requirements apply for some of the participating courses of study, these must be taken into account). The general success of the programme and its alumni shows that candidates with some work experience (including internships and part-time jobs) in, for example, an administration office, governmental structures, NGOs or international organisations tend to particularly benefit from this scholarship opportunity. Political or social involvement (privately, in projects or societies) is also considered an asset.
Applicants need to have a first (bachelor’s or equivalent) university degree in a social science, i.e. economics, anthropology, demography, empirical social or human geography, sociology, political science, administrative science or any other equivalent degree with a minimum of 60 ECTS credits in one or several of these disciplines. Any past achievements and qualifications gained in 'Wirtschaftswissenschaften' (combined business and economics programmes) must be derived specifically from economics ('Volkswirtschaftslehre') modules. This first degree must have been obtained as part of a programme of study with a minimum standard duration of three years' full-time study. Moreover, out of the 60 ECTS credits referenced above, 10 ECTS credits (or a minimum of 300 hours of coursework) must come from empirical research methods, such as data collection, data analysis, mathematics and/or statistics. A general course in research methods is not enough and does not count in this case. The final grade of your undergraduate degree must be at least at upper second level. Apart from these criteria, there are certain other formal prerequisites for applying successfully.
Scholarships can only be granted to applicants from selected countries.
Applying might seem simple at first glance. But you have to pay attention to your application files to be complete and valid.
First, you have to create an account on our application portal for the application form. Log in is possible at any time, but you can complete your information only during the application period.
The application form will only be accessible at this location during the specified application period.
Applications via e-mail or as postal item won't be considered!
IMPORTANT: You can apply with up to two out of the eight master's programmes within the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme network. If you decide to do so, you need to submit your application with each institution separately, regardless whether it is your first or second choice. Write a single letter of motivation for both university courses you choose, justifying your first and second priority choice. Application procedures may vary between the institutions, so prepare your application package carefully and according to the respective formal standards of the universities of your choice!
The application period at the University of Passau for the 2025/2026 academic session starts on 1 June 2024 and ends on 31 July 2024. Please refrain from handing in applications before or after that period.
All information about the required documents for application are available on the DAAD website.
Documents that are not originally in the English or German language have to be handed in with an official English or German translation.
Please prepare all documents carefully and follow the instructions on our application portal.
Please submit only legible copies of your documents. Also consider that illegible documents can lead to a formal rejection.
In case your application is sent to more than two universities or if nonspecific priorities are given, your application will not be accepted.
Because of the vast number of applications, we receive each year, only complete and formally correct applications that reach us within the given application period will be considered for a scholarship. Please also note that applications may be rejected for formal reasons, if you submit any documents that are difficult to read.
We also have to dutifully point out the fact that any kind of forgery within your application, e. g. forged diplomas, applying for more than two Helmut-Schmidt-Programme universities in Germany at the same time etc., will lead to an immediate expulsion from the application process. Applications that do not contain a clear prioritisation in the DAAD form and the letter of motivation, will be excluded from the selection process.
After careful evaluation of your application by our staff, a joint committee of DAAD representatives and members of the Passau Helmut-Schmidt-Programme team will meet in October/November 2024 to pick the scholarship holders for the winter 2025/2026 academic session. You will be notified about the result of your application by mid to late December 2024 at the latest.
Between August and December 2024, we reserve the right to request you for a video interview. Please make sure that you’ll be available via e-mail to fix an appointment.
Write us an email at information.ppgg@uni-passau.de or visit our FAQ
Professor Michael Grimm (Head of Programme)
Ms Raquel Fuentes Calderon (Programme Coordinator)
Ask your questions under information.ppgg@uni-passau.de
Apply via our application portal
