DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship 2026 at Dedan Kimathi University (DeKUT) | Master in Food Science

Are you a graduate from Sub-Saharan Africa looking to advance your academic career in Kenya? The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) has announced its call for the 2026 In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme. This prestigious opportunity is hosted at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) in Nyeri, Kenya.

Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this programme aims to foster strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Africa. It is specifically designed to train future academic and professional leaders who will contribute to sustainable development in the region.

If you are passionate about solving development-related problems and want to pursue a Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology, this fully funded opportunity is designed for you.

DAAD IN-COUNTRY/IN-REGION SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Field of Study

The scholarship is specifically awarded for a Master’s degree in the following programme:

• Master in Food Science and Technology

The tenure for this scholarship is Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, located in Nyeri, Kenya.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must meet high academic standards and demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Eligibility Criteria:

• You must be a national or permanent resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.
• You must hold a first academic degree (Bachelor’s) with above-average results. Applicants must have at least a Second Class/Upper Division. (Note: If you cannot provide a Second Class/Upper Division result, you are not eligible).
• Your last university degree must have been completed less than 6 years ago at the time of application.
• The scholarship targets:
  • Staff members of public universities.
  • Candidates considered for teaching or research staff recruitment.
  • Professionals from the public sector.
  • Alumni of the DAFI programme.
• Thorough knowledge of the language of instruction (English).

Scholarship Categories:

• In-Country: For students studying in their home country (Kenyans).
• In-Region: For students from other Sub-Saharan African countries helping them study in Kenya.

Stipend Amount and Benefits

DAAD offers a comprehensive financial package to ensure scholars can focus entirely on their studies. The scholarship covers the following:

• Tuition Fees: Covered annually (amount specified in the Letter of Award).
• Monthly Stipend:
  • In-Country (Kenyans): 400 EUR per month.
  • In-Region (Non-Kenyans): 500 EUR per month.
• Study and Research Allowance: 460 EUR annually.
• Thesis Publishing Costs: One-time payment of 400 EUR towards the end of the scholarship.
• Travel Allowance: Flat rate (usually twice) for In-Region scholars only.
• Health Insurance: Covered for In-Region scholars only.

Note: The scholarship is awarded for the standard period of study (up to a maximum of 24 months), starting from 

DAAD IN-COUNTRY/IN-REGION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application process involves two mandatory steps. Failure to complete both will result in disqualification.

Step 1: Apply to Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)
You must apply for admission into the Master in Food Science and Technology programme directly at the university. Please check the DeKUT website for their specific deadlines and admission procedures.

Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship via the DAAD Portal
Applications for the funding must be submitted online through the DAAD portal.

1. Create an account on the DAAD Portal (https://portal.meindaad.de).
2. Submit the following mandatory documents in PDF format (English or German):
   • Online application form.
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV) in tabular form.
   • Letter of Recommendation: Must use the specific DAAD form (generated in the portal), signed and stamped by a university teacher.
   • Copies of your last Bachelor’s degree certificate (with final grades).
   • Transcript of records.
   • Letter of Motivation (1-2 pages).
   • Copy of valid Passport or National ID.
3. Ensure your application is complete before hitting submit.

Important: The DAAD portal closes at 24:00 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline day.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications via the DAAD Portal is November 27, 2025