Germany: DAAD Master's Scholarship in Conflict Studies and Management Programme (CSMP)

Within the Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the Brandt School a specialisation in Conflict Studies and Management (CSM) is offered as a selective track. The MPP is a two-year, practice-oriented degree programme taught in English and designed for students seeking a career in the public or non-profit sector. During their course of studies, students learn to understand the theoretical underpinnings of political processes and develop critical, analytical and practical abilities. For this purpose, the core curriculum combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to public policy-analysis with elements dedicated to the advancement of personal skills and systematic practical training.

The specialisation in CSM provides students with a sound theoretical basis for analysing contemporary conflicts and developing policy responses to them. Furthermore, it conveys practical skills to assess policy interventions critically and develop approaches to conflict resolution.

Thus, in line with the special focus of a public policy school, the Brandt School looks at conflict studies and management with a special interest in how policy-making and public policy as a research perspective (discipline) need to be re-thought in the context of conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction efforts. In particular, the role of governments, international actors and NGOs as policy-makers in conflict areas, fragile states and war-torn countries will be considered in the CSMP.

The MPP specialising in CSM is designed for students with an academic background in international relations, political sciences and the wider social or human sciences with a proven interest or practical experience in the fields of post-conflict-management and reconstruction, peace building, institutional development and governance, regional security (esp. developing frameworks for regional security architectures), conflict resolution or terrorism.

The MPP specialising in CSM

• Provides a coherent overview of conflict studies and conflict management theory and practice;
• Provides different theoretical frameworks that may be used to organise historical knowledge and interpret contemporary policy-making;
• Examines theories and models of state-, institution-, and peace-building, and evaluates attempts to manage, resolve, or transform conflicts;
• Provides an ambitious example of the manner in which the multi-disciplinary approach of public policy associated with conflict studies can overcome the limitations of studying conflict through any single disciplinary lens.

Master’s Scholarships

The Master’s Scholarships are awarded for the normal duration of the Master’s course (2 years) with an additional German language course of generally 6 months before the beginning of studies. All scholarships will initially be awarded for a maximum of 12 months and can be extended for another year upon application.

DAAD pays a monthly scholarship rate of currently 750 €. The scholarship also includes contributions to health insurance in Germany. In addition, DAAD grants an appropriate travel allowance as well as a study and research subsidy and in applicable cases rent subsidies and / or family allowances.

The scholarship holders will be exempted from tuition fees. They will be offered special tutoring at the Brandt School, and there is the possibility of further activities.

Application Requirements

Applications are open to candidates from countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, Africa and Latin America (List of countries).

At the time of their application, applicants for a CSMP Master’s scholarship must

• have completed their studies with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (excellent or very good) in one of the following areas: International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies/War Studies, International Law, Area Studies, Political Sciences with concentrations in conflict studies or conflict regions. Highly qualified applicants with different academic backgrounds who demonstrate at least two years practical experience in the field are also eligible.
• have excellent knowledge of English; please provide evidence of this by submission of appropriate language certificates (e.g. TOEFL: 550/213/80); knowledge of German is advantageous, but not required.
• in general have completed their Bachelor’s degree in the last six years.
• two years professional experience would be an asset.
• Applicants cannot be considered if they have been in Germany for more than one year at the time of application.

Application Papers

Application papers to be submitted include

• DAAD application form for research grants and study scholarships (please download here);
• Motivation Letter containing a precise description of the applicant’s academic / professional and personal reasons for wishing to participate in the programme;
• Full Curriculum Vitae including information about precise field of study and, if applicable, description of job or voluntary experience;
• Recent language certificates giving evidence of the level of proficiency in English (TOEFL, IELTS) and if applicable in German. Please make sure to register in time for the respective tests. Fees for obtaining such certificates are considered as a personal career investment and will not be reimbursed.
• Two letters of recommendation by university professors and/or current or former employers;
• Officially authenticated copies of all certificates.

Further information about the papers to be submitted is listed on the application form which can also be obtained from the Internet (www.daad.de/en/form), from the diplomatic and consular representations of the Federal Republic of Germany or from the local DAAD lecturers, Offices or Information Centres.

Application Deadline

The 3 complete sets of application papers must be submitted by 31 July 2011 to the usual application address in your home country (in most cases the local DAAD or diplomatic representation) .

Contact

Further information can be obtained from DAAD Section 444 (csmp@daad.de).

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