The Latin America Department at KAAD
The Latin America Department of KAAD is dedicated to building an international network of Catholic scholars and academic institutions in the region. Its goal is to promote academic exchange and sustainably strengthen collaboration between Latin American and German Church-related structures.
The scholarship programs are also seen as a contribution to the strengthening of civil society structures – aligned with the Church’s preferential “option for the poor,” which shapes its work in Latin America.
Presence on the Ground
KAAD is active in many Latin American countries through committed partner committees, active alumni associations, and cooperation agreements with both ecclesiastical and state universities. Its alumni organize academic conferences, publish scholarly works, and engage in social projects. In doing so, they contribute as qualified lay professionals to the Church and society in their home countries – while simultaneously enhancing KAAD’s visibility in the region.
Sur Place Scholarships
KAAD also offers scholarships directly in Latin America—in close cooperation with two renowned partner universities:
1. Rafael Landívar University (URL), Guatemala City
Since 2020, KAAD has offered – together with URL – a Master's program in Education and Social Inclusion, aimed at training professionals in child and youth pastoral work as well as violence prevention in Central American dioceses.
Key features:
- Supported by the Department for Global Church of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart.
- Primarily attended by Church-affiliated personnel (e.g., Caritas, pastoral staff).
- Four instructors previously completed KAAD-funded studies in social pedagogy at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia (Aachen) and now serve in leadership roles at URL.
Alumni Portraits on the Project: KAAD Network Guatemala
Current Call for Applications: KAAD-URL Scholarship Program
Sur Place Scholarships
KAAD also offers scholarships directly in Latin America—in close cooperation with two renowned partner universities:
1. Rafael Landívar University (URL), Guatemala City
Since 2020, KAAD has offered – together with URL – a Master's program in Education and Social Inclusion, aimed at training professionals in child and youth pastoral work as well as violence prevention in Central American dioceses.
Key features:
- Supported by the Department for Global Church of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart.
- Primarily attended by Church-affiliated personnel (e.g., Caritas, pastoral staff).
- Four instructors previously completed KAAD-funded studies in social pedagogy at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia (Aachen) and now serve in leadership roles at URL.
Alumni Portraits on the Project: KAAD Network Guatemala
Current Call for Applications: KAAD-URL Scholarship Program
2. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), Lima
PUCP serves as a regional hub for the "Estudios Andinos" program, which focuses on history, art history, linguistics, and anthropology with a special emphasis on the Andean region.
Key features:
- Open to applicants from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
- KAAD scholars are fully exempt from tuition fees.
- The PUCP is actively involved in the selection process and programme development.
Current call for applications:
KAAD-PUCP Scholarship Program
Additional Funding Opportunities: Adveniat-KAAD Scholarships
The Latin America Department also awards scholarships within the framework of the Adveniat-KAAD Scholarship Program, which support study and research stays not only in Germany but also in other European countries and within Latin America itself.
Further information is available here:
