In-Country Palestinian Territories

Overview

Objective

The programme aims at fostering strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in the Palestinian Territories with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. To this end, scholarships are granted for development-related Master studies for individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and/or research at a higher education institution in the Palestinian Territories.

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 the Palestinian Territories
• Graduates strengthening education and research in the Palestinian Territories
• 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', DAAD offers scholarships for 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.

Who can apply?

The target group are graduates from the Palestinian Territories with a first academic degree who want to pursue Master’s courses in their home country. (In-Country scholarships are aimed at students who study in their home country or in the country for which they have a residence permit of at least five years.)

What can be funded?

The In-Country Scholarship Programme supports studies in subject areas with strong relevance to national development. The scholarships at the four selected Palestinian universities are available in the following fields of graduate programmes:

Al Azhar University Gaza

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Clinical Nutrition

Al-Quds University

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Electronics and Computer Engineering

Birzeit University

• Gender and Development Studies
• Applied Statistics and Data Science
• Civil Engineering

Islamic University of Gaza

• Critical Care Nursing
• Laboratory Medical Sciences
• Disasters and Crisis Management
• Information Technology

Duration of the funding

The duration of the Master programme is generally two years and is usually starting in September 2023. 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 two-year programme, the maximum duration of the scholarship will be one year. The standard period of study and the start date are based on the agreement between the host university and the DAAD.

Value

The scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees* per semester (the regularly charged amount will be specified in the Letter of Award)

• Monthly scholarship payment of 400 euros

• Annually study and research allowance of 460 euros

• Printing allowance of 400 euros, once towards the end of scholarship

• Please note that in some cases not all fees and costs that are mentioned on the official fee structure of the host institution can be covered by DAAD in full, e.g. if the agreement with the funding organisation prevents us from funding certain items in the fee structure or if items that are included in the fees are supposed to be covered through the individual scholarship benefits. DAAD will transfer the fees directly to the host institution. The DAAD will endeavour to transfer the first monthly payment to your bank account as quickly as possible after the beginning of your scholarship. Processing the first transfer of funds may take some time. Payments generally cannot be made prior of the scholarship start date and the commencement of studies at the host institution. Furthermore, no additional benefits that are not listed in this call for applications, such as benefits for family members, can be granted.

Selection

All applicants apply via the DAAD online portal not later than 31 August 2022. After formal evaluation of the DAAD regarding the completeness and correctness of the applications, the applications will be forwarded to the host institutions depending on which host institution has been chosen by the applicant. The host institution screens and short-lists applications, then sends the pre-selection report and lists showing the participants of the pre-selection to the DAAD. The DAAD reserves the right of final selection and will conduct personal or virtual interviews.

Further information

DAAD In-Country scholarship holders are also

• a) encouraged to apply for a short-term research stay in Germany for 2 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.
  • If you would like to apply, please note that the funding period for a short-term research stay in Germany is part of the In-Country programme and the regular study period of the programme may not be exceeded by the short-term research stay in Germany, this must be included in the regular study period of the In-Country programme. The short-term research scholarship includes:
  • a monthly scholarship payment for living costs
  • health/accident/personal liability insurance
  • a flat-rate travel allowance

• b) invited to apply for different Summer Schools in Germany (four weeks).

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