Call for Master Scholarship Applications 2025 at Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)

Master in Atmospheric Sciences

Master in Biology

Master in Hydrology

I. Programme Objectives

The programme aims to foster strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Latin America 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 Latin America

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 Latin America
• Graduates strengthening education and research in Latin America
• Structural strengthening and regional networking of partner institutions and partner universities

II. Application Requirements for a Master´s Degree

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)
• 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 Central American country (except Costa Rica) or the Dominican Republic; • 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.

Please note: If you have already received a Master's scholarship from the DAAD, further Master's funding from the DAAD is not possible. Please note: UCR might have additional requirements for admission to the university.

III. Eligible Fields for a Master´s Degree

The In-Region Scholarship Programme supports studies in subject areas with strong relevance to national development. Scholarships at UCR are available for the following programme:

1. Master in Atmospheric Science
2. Master in Biology
3. Master in Hydrology

IV. Place of Tenure for a Master´s Degree

Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica

V. Duration and Commencement for a Master´s Degree

The duration

• Scholarships are awarded for the duration of the standard period of study for the chosen programme (up to a maximum of 24 months for Master in Atmospheric Science and Master in Biology; up to a maximum of 30 months for Master in Hydrology). Please state the entire period for which you wish to apply for a scholarship in your application. For example, if you are planning a 2-year degree programme, you must directly communicate two years as the desired scholarship duration in your application. After the first year of study, your academic achievements will be assessed in a further funding procedure. If this assessment shows that you will successfully complete your programme within a reasonable period of time, the scholarship will continue as planned.

The scholarship usually begins in August.

Please note that the maximum duration of the scholarship consists of the year you apply for, plus the time left to the end of the regular period of studies in that programme. For example, 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.

VI. Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers:

*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, e.g. if the agreement with the funding organisation prevents the DAAD 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. The DAAD will transfer the fees directly to the host institution.

VII. Application and Selection Procedre for a Master´s Degree

As a first step, all applicants must submit a complete application for the programme via the DAAD Portal. This is a standard uploading area for all programme applications and some documents may not be mandatory for your application. Please refer to your programme call to check which documents are required.

Please be aware of the DAAD’s application deadline as well as UCR deadline.

The application process for DAAD scholarships contains the following steps:

1. Register on the portal: DAAD-ID
2. Log in to the portal
3. Carefully read the instructions on how to apply in the portal
4. Submit your application via the portal by 13.03.2025

Remember to check that your application is complete and meets the DAAD requirements before submitting! Otherwise, your application cannot be considered.

VIII. Application Documents to be Uploaded to the DAAD Portal

Mandatory documents for the DAAD scholarship application to be submitted and uploaded to the DAAD portal (in either English or German) and submitted to [email protected]:

• DAAD online application form (available on the DAAD portal under Application → Fill In Form) duly filled in and submitted according to the outlined deadline. Important information as regards Question 7 in the application form: If you cannot find your university/institution in the drop-down menu, please click on 'other institution', and enter it manually.
• A full curriculum vitae in tabular form, if not otherwise possible without a signature
• A list of publications (if applicable)
• One recent recommendation letter from and signed by a university teacher(which provides information about your qualifications). You can generate the recommendation form in the DAAD Portal as a writable PDF under 'Request reference form'. Please send it to your university teacher and ask him/her to complete the form in full. When you have received it back, please upload it in the portal under 'Letter of Recommendation'. Please note: The form for completion by a university teacher can only be generated during the application period. This form of a Letter of Recommendation is mandatory and will be the only one which will be accepted by the DAAD.
• Letter of admission from the host university (this can be subsequently submitted before the scholarship begins if it is not available at the time of application).
• Certified copies of university degree certificates including transcripts (if available, including a grading scale for the final university degree and if available, information on the recognition of the university degree certifi-cates in the host country) to be uploaded under “university degree certificated” in the DAAD portal
• Letter of motivation (1-2 pages with a personal, social motivation as well as a motivation for the studies and a possible Master project). If you are applying for a COURSE -based Master programme, please describe the time schedule of your studies and your course project. Please upload the letter of motivation under “study project/motivation” in the DAAD portal
• Copy of your passport or, if not applicable, a copy of your National Identification Card
• If applicable, information on the UNHCR registration as refugee

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Optional:

• Additional documents that might be relevant for your application (e.g. proof of internships, proof of employment).

Application Deadline

March 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

Contact

• Interested students may contact o[email protected]
• Phone: 560-3201
• Attention in person at the International Relations Office from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
• Find us on social networks as @dri_utp