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.

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.

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

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 UPEACE are available for the following programmes:

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

Place of Tenure for a Master´s Degree

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

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 18 months. 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.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers:

Application and Selection Procedure For a Master´s Degree

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 (b2clogin.com)
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 22.03.2025

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

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(s) (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 them 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 certificates 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  For COURSE-based Master programmes only: - a semester schedule.
• If applicable, information on the UNHCR registration as refugee

If you do not have documents such as letter of admission at the time of application, please mention and explain this at an appropriate place in the application.

Application Deadline

March 22, 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