Tertiary Scholarship Programme DAFI

Higher education nurtures a generation of future change-makers that can take the lead in identifying solutions to refugee situations. Higher education is a priority for UNHCR outlined in the Education 2030: A Strategy for Refugee Education, forming an integral part of UNHCR's protection and solutions mandate.

Specifically, UNHCR’s goal is to increase refugee enrolment in higher education from the current 3% to 15% by 2030 (15by30). The 15by30 roadmap reflects an ambitious but feasible goal that can be achieved through expanding the forms of tertiary education available and the continued engagement and commitment of partners and host countries.

The DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme offers qualified refugee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree in their country of asylum. Through the dedicated support of the German Government, UNHCR and private donors, the programme has supported over 18,000 young refugees to undertake tertiary studies since 1992. The strategic priorities of the DAFI programme are to:

Promote self-reliance of sponsored students through opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship;
Empower students to contribute knowledge, skills and leadership and to facilitate peaceful coexistence with host communities during displacement and upon return;
Strengthen the protective impact of education by encouraging lifelong learning;
Provide role models for refugee children and youth to demonstrate the impact of education on individuals, communities and societies.

The scholarship covers a range of costs, including tuition, fees, study materials, food, transportation, accommodation and other expenses. To amplify academic achievement and skills development, DAFI scholars receive additional support through close monitoring, academic preparatory and language classes based on students’ needs, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.

Are you a refugee looking for a scholarship? Please visit our Scholarship portal for more information.

The DAFI Scholarship programme is currently offered in the following countries:

Africa
Benin - Botswana - Burundi - Cameroon - Chad - Cote d'Ivoire - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Ethiopia - Gambia - Ghana - Guinea Conakry - Guinea Bissau - Kenya - Liberia - Malawi - Mali - Mozambique - Namibia - Niger - Nigeria - Rwanda - Senegal - Somalia - South Africa - South Sudan - Sudan - Tanzania - Togo - Uganda - Zambia - Zimbabwe

Americas
Ecuador - Mexico

Asia
Afghanistan - Bangladesh - India - Islamic Republic of Iran - Kyrgyzstan - Pakistan - Tajikistan

Europe
Azerbaijan - Russia - Ukraine - Turkey

Middle East & Northern Africa
Algeria - Arab Republic of Egypt - Republic of Iraq - Jordan - Lebanon - Mauritania - Morocco - Syrian Arab Republic - Yemen