DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Programme

“DAFI proved to me that I can achieve something and gave me the motivation to take action. It gave me a huge boost to become a specialist in my field and to keep learning.”

- Olha, DAFI student of Managerial Mathematics, Slovakia

Get to know the DAFI students

A woman in glasses smiles from between bookshelves in a library.

Olha, from southern Ukraine, is a student of Managerial Mathematics at Comenius University, in Bratislava, Slovakia, on a DAFI scholarship.

Higher education is a priority for UNHCR, as outlined in Education 2030: A Strategy for Refugee Education, forming an integral part of UNHCR’s protection and solutions mandate.

Higher education makes it possible for thousands of refugee youth to develop skills and earn qualifications to allow them to become change-makers who can take the lead in identifying solutions to the challenges that affect them and their communities.

The DAFI scholarship programme constitutes one of the five core pillars of the strategy to achieve 15 per cent enrolment of young refugee women and men in higher education by the year 2030 – the 15by30 Roadmap.

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Summary metrics / thematic highlights from annual reporting etc...

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To learn more, get to know our DAFI scholars in our rotating student feature series, dive into the latest and historical DAFI programme data, and read the latest annual DAFI programme report.

DAFI Annual Report 2023

DAFI Country factsheets 2023

Higher education is a priority for UNHCR, as outlined in Education 2030: A Strategy for Refugee Education, forming an integral part of UNHCR’s protection and solutions mandate.

DAFI student gallery

Click or scroll to get to know more students.

A man sits, smiling, on a a chair with a small desk, in a classroom full of chairs, with a blackboard behind him.

Japhet, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is a student of Law at Université Lumière de Bujumbura in Burundi, on a DAFI scholarship.

Japhet

At just 24, Japhet is a leader, an advocate and a dreamer. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), he grew up in Nyankanda refugee camp, Burundi, where opportunities for education and work were equally scarce. Japhet was informally teaching primary school – until the DAFI scholarship changed everything. “DAFI put me back on track,” he says. Initially drawn to psychology, Japhet soon realized his true passion lay in law. In his final year studying law at Université Lumière de Bujumbura, he also served as President of DAFI’s student committee, advocating for refugee students like himself and promoting the value of education to other young refugees in his community.

With an upcoming internship at a civil society organization in Bujumbura, International Bridges to Justice, Japhet is determined to pave his own way. “I don’t want to be an employee – I want to be my own boss,” he says. He has already launched initiatives supporting refugees and returnees, proving that resilience and ambition can shape a brighter future.

A woman sits on a desk, looking off to the side, in front of a blackboard with equations

Olha, from southern Ukraine, is a student of Managerial Mathematics at Comenius University, in Bratislava, Slovakia, on a DAFI scholarship.

Olha

At just 19, Olha has already faced major changes and hardships but remains dedicated to serving her community. She was forced to flee her home in Izmail, Ukraine, and found a way to pursue her dream of higher education in Bratislava, Slovakia. Olha finished high school remotely from Bratislava and became a communications volunteer for the ‘Stand By Me’ programme, which helps young Ukrainians adapt in their countries of asylum. “Volunteering means everything to me. Each and every one of us, at some point in their life, will need help.”

Olha was always passionate about school and particularly problem solving, which led her to pursue mathematics. “In my life in general, I like looking for solutions. That’s why I like mathematics. I enjoy searching for hours and finally coming up with the answer. It is satisfying.” Everything changed when she received the DAFI scholarship – a day before her 18th birthday. “DAFI proved to me that I can achieve something and gave me the motivation to take action. It gave me a huge boost to become a specialist in my field and to keep learning.”

Now a student of Managerial Mathematics at Comenius University, volunteering remains an important part of her life. “Even with the scholarship, I never considered quitting my volunteering work. Actually, I am keen on participating in even more programmes and projects!”

The DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme offers qualified refugee and returnee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree in their country of asylum or home country.

In 2023, 9,312 refugees from 54 countries of origin were enrolled in higher education on DAFI scholarships in 59 countries around the world. The DAFI programme, which has been operating for over three decades, remains the cornerstone of UNHCR’s strategy to achieve and exceed 15 per cent enrolment of refugees in higher education by 2030 (the 15by30 target).

Out of 15,600 applications received in 2023, 1,942 new DAFI scholarships were awarded (12 per cent), reflecting increased demand and an urgent need for greater investment in higher education scholarships and opportunities for refugees.

Through the dedicated support of the Government of Germany, along with the support of the government of Denmark, as well as other private partners and foundations, the programme has supported over 26,300 young refugees to undertake tertiary studies since 1992.

To highlight the pivotal role of the DAFI programme as so much more than a scholarship, the 2023 report focuses on tremendous steps taken by programme partners to strengthen the critical link between higher education and sustainable livelihoods as well as self-reliance.

This includes actions to:

promote career readiness and the development of in-demand skills
facilitate pathways to internship opportunities and employment placements; to prepare scholars to thrive as entrepreneurs and business owners
partner with local public and private sector partners to cultivate spaces for networking and to advance professional placement opportunities
in some cases, advocate with government actors to improve the implementation of policies to include refugees in education systems and the labour market.

Throughout, DAFI scholars and alumni have taken on leadership roles to enhance programming, support their peers and engage with policymakers to strengthen pathways from education to livelihoods.

To learn more, please see the 2023 DAFI Programme Annual Report and accompanying 2023 DAFI Country factsheets for a deep dive into metrics and highlights by country.

The strategic priorities of the DAFI programme are to:

Promote refugee self-reliance

through increased access to 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

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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. DAFI student clubs and alumni groups are active in many countries and make valuable contributions in the communities that host them.

DAFI programme currently operates in:

Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
The Americas: Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico.
Asia: Afghanistan, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Thailand.
Europe: Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Serbia, Ukraine, Republic of Türkiye.
The Middle East & Northern Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Syria, Yemen.

Are you a refugee looking for a scholarship?

If you are an eligible candidate and DAFI exists in your country, you can request a DAFI Application form from your UNHCR country office. All applications need to be directed to the respective UNHCR country offices.

Select a country