DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme

Main selection criteria for Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship applications to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) are:

• A conclusive account of your academic, professional and personal motivation for studying the MPP in Germany
• Your motivation clearly relates to the goals of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme
• At least one year of professional experience relevant to the MPP
• Strong analytical skills and pronounced interest in solving political problems
• A first higher education degree completed with above-average grades (upper third of graduates) in the fields of Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy and Administration

You are not eligible:

• If your most recent university degree has been obtained more than six years before the application (date of issue before January 1, 2020)
• When you have resided in a country that is not included in the DAC list of developing and emerging countries (see list of eligible countries) for more than the past 15 months at the time of the application deadline

Candidates who already hold a Master’s degree must make a well-argued case as to why they should be funded for another postgraduate degree.

The DAAD provides a checklist form to make sure that you have all the forms and documents required for applying correctly. This form holds helpful information and specifications on the required documents.

Please make sure to sign it by hand, indicating place and date. We strongly recommend you to print the form, fill and sign it manually and then upload a scan or photo to your online application portfolio. 

Please note that online applications lacking this form cannot be considered. 

The new DAAD Application form (PDF) needs to be filled digitally and uploaded to your online application portfolio. 

Please upload a personal statement of purpose with your online application. This letter of motivation should not exceed two pages.

If you are applying for two master's programs: Please rank the courses in order of preference in your motivation letter, i.e. why your first choice of master’s course is your first choice and why your second choice is your second choice. For each chosen course, please provide clear reasons why you think it will advance you academically and professionally. You must submit the same letter of motivation to both courses you are applying for. If you only apply for one master's program, please elaborate on this choice.

In any case, the statement should include a precise account of your academic, professional and personal reasons why you want to study the master's program/s of your choice, and how well your profile aligns with the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme's goals.

Please include the date of issue of your letter and upload this document to your online application portfolio.

The DAAD requires a curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order including exact information on your studies and on your practical experience. The CV must be in the europass CV format. Please upload this document to your online application portfolio.

Gaps of three months or more must be explained.

Please include the date of issue (the europass template does not include a date, please add it yourself).

Applicants must upload scans or files of the following diplomas, documents, certificates, and transcripts to their online application portfolio:

• Secondary Education Certificate (Abitur, High School Diploma, etc.)
• University degree certificate(s)
• Official transcripts from all colleges, professional schools, and universities (please also add a description of the grading system if not available on the transcript or its appendix)

All documents not issued in German or English must be accompanied by certified German or English translations (i.e. either made by a sworn translator or issued by the educational institution itself).

Note: Simple (i.e., non-certified) copies of diplomas and certificates cannot be accepted. A certified true copy is a copy (often a photocopy) of a primary document that has on it an endorsement, a stamp or a certificate which serves as proof for this document being a true copy of the primary document. Certified true copies can be obtained from German Embassies/Consulates or other official authorities in your country of residence, e.g. public notaries or the universities/schools in question.  

Please note: Scans/files of all of these documents are sufficient for the online application. Please do not sent true certified hard copies via postal mail, as we will not be able to return documents.

All applicants have to submit a proof of relevant professional experience (minimum: one year) or internships and/or proof of relevant political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or work for charities or NGOs, on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code certified digital signature, the date of issue and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation.

We require the following information about your work experience:

• Name of the company or organization
• Position held
• Duration: When did you work / since when are you working for the employer (start and end date)
• Type of Employment: Full time / part time, hours per week, paid / voluntary
• Job Specifications: Field of expertise, area of work, key duties, etc.

If your one year of work experience was not completed within one company or organization (for example two six-month internships), please provide separate documents for all occupations, totaling a minimum of one year.

In case you have indicated more than one year of professional experience on your CV: Please note that you should upload proofs of work experience (in the shape and form indicated above) for all program-relevant occupations you want us to take into consideration.

If you want us to take into consideration any political activities or service to your community, such as volunteering or work for charities or NGOs, please provide proofs of experience on headed paper, signed, dated and stamped.

Please upload scans of these documents to your online application portfolio.

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Important note 1

The DAAD wants to know what you are doing at the moment of your application. If you are currently working in a sector not relevant to the MPP and the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, please make sure to upload a current work experience proof in addition to the one/s for your relevant work experience.

If you are currently studying and not working, please provide a current letter of reference from your university (see section “Letter of Reference” below).

Important note 2

All documents you provide must be written in English or German. If your documents are written in another language, you must provide a sworn translation (see section "Diplomas, Degree Certificates and Transcripts" for detailed information).

All applications must be accompanied by one current letter of reference. The letter should ideally be from your current employer. If you are currently studying, the letter can also be from a university lecturer.

In any case, the letter has to be on headed paper, including an original (not scanned) or code certified digital signature, the date of issue and a stamp. If necessary, please provide a certified translation in either English or German.

Please upload a scan of the letter with your online application.

The Brandt School accepts the following tests, including their online versions. Test scores must not be older than two years at the time of application.  

• TOEFL Internet, (Online Version: TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition): minimum 4.5 overall and in all sub-categories (tests from January 21, 2026 onwards) or 90 overall (tests until January 20, 2026)
• IELTS Academic Test, (Online Version: IELTS Online): minimum of 6.5 points overall and in all sub-categories
• One of the following language certificates: Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE)

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Important note 1
Candidates who received their degree from an English-language college or university only need to present an official document or letter issued by the university stating that English has been the medium of instruction. If the information "medium of instruction: English" or similar is to be found on the Transcript of Records or its appendix, the corresponding page should be uploaded as a proof of English proficiency. In this case, an English test result is obsolete. On the other hand, please note that an excellent test result will always contribute to your application's excellence. 

Important note 2

A scan/file of any of these documents is sufficient for your online application portfolio.

German language certificates: Please note that the MPP at the Brandt School is taught entirely in English and that German proficiency is not a requirement for admission. However, if you have any German proficiency, please upload your most recent certificate (merged into one file with the proof of English proficiency document of your choice).

Applicants are required to upload a scan of their international passport. Please send copies of the page containing your photo, your name, date and place of birth.

If you don't have an international passport yet, please provide a scan of your national ID card with the respective information. Please note that you will need an international passport for your travels to Germany, though.

If your application for the academic intake 2027 is shortlisted, you will be notified in the fall of 2026.

Final decisions regarding scholarship awards are being made in December 2026. Representatives of both DAAD and Brandt School are responsible for the final admission decision to the scholarship program. Please understand that the Brandt School cannot inform you about the status of your application during the selection process.

All Helmut-Schmidt scholars will have to attend an additional German language course in Germany, for a duration of four months, starting in June of the respective year, in order to acquire basic knowledge of the everyday language in Germany. Please note that German proficiency is not an admission requirement for the MPP at the Brandt School, as classes are taught entirely in English.

The DAAD offer an FAQ document on their website.