In-Region Scholarship Programme

South Africa

Call for Scholarship Applications 2021

at the Stellenbosch University, Division of Molecular
Biology and Human Genetics

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for

Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Application Closing Date at DAAD (for pre-selected candidates only):

June 2, 2020

Scholarships will be awarded subject to the provision of funds and to the conclusion of
contract between the host institution and DAAD

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Programme The programme aims at fostering strong, internationally oriented higher education
Objectives systems in Sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to contribute to sustainable
development. To this end, scholarships are granted for development-related
Master or doctoral studies for 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-Region Scholarship Programme DAAD offers scholarships for

PhD and Master studies. The programme is funded by the German Federal
Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and aims at university
staff in the first line, without neglecting the public sector demand of academically
trained personnel.
The target group for scholarships are graduates and postgraduates from Sub-
Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) with a first academic degree if applying
for a Master’s programme who want to pursue Master’s courses. In-Region
Scholarships are aimed at students who want to participate in a study
programme in a country of their home region (here: Sub-Saharan Africa/outside
their home country).
It has been agreed upon that DAAD cooperates with the Stellenbosch University
by offering up to 5 In-Region Scholarships for Master studies and up to 4 In-Region
Scholarships for PhD studies at the Stellenbosch University for the intake 2021.

Scholarships will be awarded subject to the provision of funds and to the

conclusion of contract between the host institution and DAAD.

Application Applicants
requirements • have successfully completed generally a three-year university degree
(Master candidates) or a two-year university degree (doctoral candidates)
with above average results (at least: Second Class/Upper division)
• clearly show motivation and strong commitment
• have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction
• have generally completed their last university degree not more than 6 years
ago at the time of application
• must be nationals or permanent resident of a Sub-Saharan African country
(excluding South Africa)

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• should generally be a) staff member of a public university, b) candidate

considered for teaching or research staff recruitment, c) from the public
sector, d) Alumni of the DAFI programme
Female applicants and candidates from less privileged regions or groups are
especially encouraged to participate in the programme.
Scholarships are initially granted for one year and can be extended to a maximum
of the regular period of study upon receipt of an application for extension. Scholars
must demonstrate satisfactory progress before an extension is granted.

Eligible fields The In-Region Scholarship Programme supports studies in subject areas with
strong relevance to national development.
The scholarships at the Stellenbosch University are available in the following
fields:
• Molecular Biology and Human Genetics (MBHG)

Place of tenure The Stellenbosch University, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics

Duration and The duration

Commencement • of the PhD programme is generally three years
• of the Master programme is generally two years
generally starting in February 2021
Please note that the maximum duration of the scholarship is based on the time
that is left until the scholarship holder has reached the regular period of studies in
that programme; i.e., if you apply for a DAAD scholarship starting in your second
year of studies of a three-year programme, the maximum duration of the
scholarship will be two years.

Application and The application process contains two steps. Please be aware of the two
Selection Procedure application deadlines.

First step:
Applicants must apply for their studies at the Stellenbosch University using the
contacts and the method that is prescribed by the institution. The Stellenbosch
University has set its own deadlines.
The Stellenbosch University will screen, pre-select (according to DAAD selection
criteria) and short-list the applicants. A detailed report consisting of the shortlisting
procedure, the entire list of applicants, the ranked shortlist and the shortlisting
panel members will also be availed to DAAD. The ranked shortlist will contain
preferably triple (at least double) the number of scholarships that have been
attributed to the institution.
DAAD reserves the right of final selection.

Second step:
The Stellenbosch University will provide the shortlisted candidates with the link to
the DAAD-Portal. Only the pre-selected candidates are asked to log into the DAAD

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portal, register themselves and submit a DAAD application. DAAD Deadline:

June 2, 2020

Documents to be submitted in English:

• DAAD application form duly filled in (available in the DAAD-Portal)
• Hand signed curriculum vitae (please use the European specimen form at
http://europass.cedefop. Europa.eu), including a list of publications (if
applicable).
• Recommendation letter by university teachers (Master 1, PhD 2)
• Letter of admission for the host university / institution / network
• Certified copies of university degree certificates including transcripts
• Letter of motivation (if applicable: mentioning the planned research stay in
Germany, see “Additional benefits”)
• Copy of the passport
• if applicable, information on the UNHCR registration as refugee

PhD candidates have to submit the following additional documents:

• Declaration of acceptance from the academic supervisor

• Detailed and precise PhD proposal, including detailed work and timetable (if
applicable: mentioning the planned research stay in Germany, see
“Additional benefits”)
• Abstract of the proposal on one page (please include name and title of
proposal

Scholarship funding The scholarship covers:

Item Payment Amount
Master
Year 1: SADC*: Residential
38,951 ZAR
Non-Residential 36,123 ZAR
Non-SADC:
Residential 43,686 ZAR
Non-Residential 37,700 ZAR
Year 2: SADC*: Residential
11,140 ZAR
Non-Residential 8,312 ZAR
Non-SADC:
Residential 15,875 ZAR
Tuition fees** annually
Non-Residential 9,889 ZAR

PhD
Year 1: SADC*: Residential
36,929 ZAR
Non-Residential 34,101 ZAR
Non-SADC:
Residential 41,664 ZAR
Non-Residential 35,678 ZAR
Year 2: SADC*: Residential
20,807 ZAR
Non-Residential 17,979 ZAR
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Non-SADC:
Residential 25,542 ZAR
Non-Residential 19,556 ZAR
Year 3: SADC*: Residential
20,807 ZAR
Non-Residential 17,979 ZAR
Non-SADC:
Residential 25,542 ZAR
Non-Residential 19,556 ZAR
Study and
460 EUR (Master)
research annually
920 EUR (PhD)
allowance
400 EUR (Master)
Printing allowance once at the end
800 EUR (PhD)
Monthly
Scholarship 500 EUR (PhD)
monthly
(Accommodation, 450 EUR (Master)
Food etc.)
Travel allowance twice (beginning/ The flat rate travel allowance will
(In-Region only) end of scholarship) be specified in the letter of award
If applicable
Health insurance Further information regarding the
annually
(In-Region only) health insurance will be specified
in the letter of award

* SADC member states are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles,
South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
** Please note it is possible that some fees that are included in the official fee structure of
the host institution might not be eligible for funding within this programme, either
because part of the DAAD stipends and allowances are expected to cover these
expenses, or because other restrictions prevent DAAD from financing the items within
this programme (e.g.: Laundry Fee or Activity Fee). Therefore, DAAD reserves the right
to exclude these items from the payments and only covers the amount of fees that is
mentioned above.

The scholarship will be paid directly to the scholarship holder´s banking account.
Further details will be announced after admission to the scholarship programme.
The DAAD will endeavor to transfer/pay out the first payments as quickly as
possible after the scholarship holder has arrived at the host institution.
Nevertheless, it is recommended to bring a financial reserve for the first time
period.

Additional benefits / DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship holders are also encouraged to apply for
information a research stay in Germany for 3 up to 6 months. Please note: The short-term
research stay in Germany should preferably be announced in the application
for the regular scholarship and can only be awarded if the necessary financial
means are available.

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The short-term research scholarship includes:

• a monthly scholarship payment for living costs

• health/accident/personal liability insurance
• a flat-rate travel allowance

All further details regarding additional benefits and the additional application
processes will be provided after admission to the scholarship programme.

Please note that all short-listed applicants will be asked to participate in a multi-
wave monitoring survey to gather data on different academic and career
development aspects. Participation is voluntary.

Hellen Sahlmann
Contact and advice
Programme Officer, Section ST32 Africa
Email: sahlmann@daad.de
Website: www.daad.de
Tel.: +49-228-882-729

Dr. Marisa Klopper

Scientist
Email: marisat@sun.ac.za
Website: https://www.sun.ac.za

Further information Website of the In-Country/In-Region programme:

https://www.daad.de/incountry-inregion

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