The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has announced the availability of DAAD Scholarships for Postgraduate Courses with Special Relevance to Developing Countries for Academic Year 2010-2011. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Scholarship Program will support selected postgraduate programs with a variety of full or partial scholarships.

The grantees will pursue an internationally recognized master’s degree program in Germany for a duration of 12-24 months, depending on the course and host university.

The Scholarship Program is designed to give junior executives from developing countries an opportunity to attend such degree courses. Therefore, applicants must come from a public authority or state or private company in a developing country and they must be engaged in planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policy that have bearing on technological, economic, or social areas.

In addition to the abovementioned condition for eligibility to apply, applicants must meet the following minimum criteria: hold a bachelor’s degree (4 years) in related subject; had completed an academic degree far beyond average and at least two years of related professional experience; and is not older than 36 (although age limit for some courses is 32).

To participate in the competition, applicants must submit a duly accomplished official DAAD application form available at the German embassies or DAAD office in the applicant’s country or the university to which admission is being sought; duly accomplished application form for the postgraduate course to be pursued available at the university offering the course; hand-signed curriculum vitae following europass format; hand-signed letter of motivation with reference to current occupation; recommendations from the applicant’s university and employer; TOEFL or IELTS score; certified copies of academic transcripts and awarded academic degrees.

The concerned university decides on admission to the postgraduate course and simultaneously submits a proposal for the allocation of scholarships. The final decision on the allocation of scholarships is made by the DAAD.

Applications for Academic Year 2010-2011 may be submitted to any of the following: 1) the German Embassy no later than 31 August 2009, 2) the DAAD Head office no later than 30 September 2009, or 3) directly to the university no later than 15 October 2009. It must be noted that some courses have an earlier deadline.

More information may be obtained at  http://www.daad.de/development. (Source: Press and Cultural Section, German Embassy, Manila)