Master in Environment, Development and Peace

Master in Conflict Resolution, Peace and Development

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.

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/ Licenciatura 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.

Female applicants, refugees with recognised refugee status and candidates from other less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme.

Please note: 1) If you have already received a Master's scholarship from the DAAD, further Master's funding from the DAAD is not possible. 2) The University for Peace might have additional requirements for admission to the university.

III. Eligible Fields for a Master's Degree

Scholarships at the University for Peace are available for the following programmes

• Master in Environment, Development and Peace
• Master in Conflict Resolution, Peace and Development

IV. Place of Tenure for a Master´s Degree

University for Peace, Rodeo de Mora, San José, Costa Rica

V. Duration and Commencement for a Master´s Degree

Scholarships are awarded for the duration of the standard period of study for the chosen programme (up to a maximum of 16 months for Master in Environment, Development and Peace; up to a maximum of 18 months for Master in Conflict Resolution, Peace and Development). 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 September .

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.

The standard period of study and the start date are based on the Affiliate Agreement between the host university and the DAAD.

Please note: if you arrive later, the duration of your scholarship will be shortened accordingly.

VI. Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers:

VII. Application and Selection Procedure 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 be aware of the DAAD’s application deadline as well as UPEACE 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 30.04.2026

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.
• A full curriculum vitae in tabular form
• One recent Letter of Rec ommendation: The letter of recommenda tion should be from and signed (and, if possible, stamped) by a university teacher(s) (which provides information about your qual ifications).
• Copies of the last relevant Bachelor’s degree certificate and copy of the most recent university degree certificate stating final grades: For at least a successfully completed three-year uni versity degree, Bachelor or equivalent, with above aver age results (at least: Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent). If, at the time of applying, you completed your Bachelor degree in the last academic year and your certificate has not been is sued, it can be submitted later (before the scholarship begins at the latest).
• Transcript of records: of your most recent univer sity degree.
• Letter of Motivation: 1-2 pages (at least 300 and not more than 1000 words) with a personal, social moti vation and academic motiva tion for choosing the studies together with a possible Master project.
• Copy of a valid passport or a copy of a valid Na tional Identification Card: This document must be valid at the time of applica tion.

Your application is only valid if you submit all the mandatory documents to the DAAD portal on time. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete. If you do not have documents at the time of application or you cannot use the DAAD form provided, please mention and explain this at an appropriate place in the application.

IX. Application Deadline

April 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

X. Attachment

• UPEACE Call for Scholarship (PDF, 215.39 KB)

XI. Contacts

• Interested students may contact o[email protected]
• Phone: 560-3108
• 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