Call for Master Scholarship Applications 2026 at the Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (formerly Benue State University Makurdi), Nigeria

The programme aims to foster strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. For this purpose, scholarships for development-related Master’s studies are awarded to individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and/or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

By training future academic and professional leaders, the programme contributes to the following long-term impacts:

• Qualified professionals’ involvement in the solution of development-related problems in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Graduates strengthening education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Structural strengthening and regional networking of partner institutions and partner universities

To achieve these long-term impacts, the following outcomes have been formulated as programme objectives: 

Programme objective 1: Graduates have qualified to take over responsible positions in their or for their region of origin

Programme objective 2: The participation of women and underprivileged groups is reinforced

Programme objective 3: Organizational, financial and personal capacities of partner institutions are strengthened

As part of the „In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme“, the DAAD offers scholarships for Master studies. The programme is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and designed primarily for university staff in the first line, whilst also catering to the public sector demand of academically trained personnel. The target group for scholarships is graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa with a first academic degree, who want to pursue Master’s courses, either 

• in their home country 

(In-Country scholarships are designed for students who study in their home country or in the country for which they have a residence permit.)   

 – or –

• in another Sub-Saharan African country

(In-Region scholarships are designed for students who want to participate in a study programme in a country of their home region (here: Sub-Saharan Africa /outside their home country/in the country for which they do not have a residence permit).

It has been agreed that the DAAD cooperates with Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi by offering up to three (3) In-Country and six (6) In-Region scholarships for each of Masters and PhD studies at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi for the intake 2026.

Application Requirements

Applicants for a Master’s degree

• graduates with a first academic degree, who have successfully completed a three-year university degree with above average results (at least: Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent, if applicable.) Candidates who cannot provide a Second Class/Upper Division or a higher result are not eligible;
• clearly show motivation and strong commitment;
• have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction;
• have completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application;
• must be nationals or permanent residents of a Sub-Saharan Africa country;  
• should be a) staff member of a public university, b) or a candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment, c) or from the public sector and/or d) Alumni of the DAFI-programme. Fresh graduates, professionals and other candidates who do not fit in the above-mentioned areas are also invited to apply for the programme.

Applicants for a PhD degree

• postgraduates with a first academic degree, who have successfully completed a two-year university Master’s degree (or equivalent) with above average results (at least: Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent, if applicable) Candidates who cannot provide a Second Class/Upper Division or a higher result are not eligible; 
• clearly show motivation and strong commitment;
• have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction;
• have completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application;
• must be nationals or permanent residents of a Sub-Saharan Africa country;  
• should be a) staff member of a public university, b) or a candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment, c) or from the public sector and/or d) Alumni of the DAFI-programme. Fresh graduates, professionals and other candidates who do not fit in the abovementioned areas are also invited to apply for the programme.

Female applicants, refugees with recognised refugee status and candidates from other less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme.

The scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees*
• Study and research allowance
• Thesis publishing costs
• Monthly Scholarship (Accommodation, food etc.)
• Travel allowance (In-Region only)
• Health insurance (In-Region only)

*Please note that in some cases not all fees and costs mentioned in the official fee structure of the host institution can be covered by DAAD in full.

Find out more about the Master’s scholarship.

Find out more about the PhD scholarship.

Application deadline is November 27, 2025.