DAAD ( German Academic Exchange Service) (https://www.daad.de/en/)
- Fully-funded scholarships cover monthly stipends (€934 for graduates and €1,200 for doctoral/Ph.D. students) and travel allowances, often including insurance coverage.
- Eligibility criteria are primarily based on academic achievements, a recognized school leaving certificate (if applicable), proficiency in the language of instruction or working language(s), and relevant internships or work experience if required.
- All deadlines for various scholarships are listed on the DAAD website
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships(https://www.boell.de/en)
- Undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Germans, foreign students educated in Germany, and EU nationals may receive up to €812 per month plus a €300 study allowance. Non-EU students not educated in Germany can get €934 per month with health insurance and other allowances.
- Doctoral scholarships. Germans, foreign students educated in Germany, and EU nationals not educated in Germany may receive a basic monthly allowance of €1,350 with additional funding opportunities. Non-EU nationals/students not educated in Germany can get €1,200 per month, a €100 monthly mobility allowance, and various individual allowances.
Requirements
- Undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Germans/foreign students educated in Germany qualify for first-degree scholarships, while EU nationals/students not educated in Germany can apply for Master’s degree scholarships with proof of their first professional qualification. Selection criteria include academics, social engagement, and motivations.
- Doctoral scholarships. Eligibility includes Germans/foreign students educated in Germany, EU nationals/students not educated in Germany, and non-EU nationals/students not educated in Germany. Proof of admission to doctoral studies is required, and selection is based on academic excellence, research project quality, social engagement, and motivations.
Deutschland Stipendium National Scholarship Program
The Deutschlandstipendium is for students and first-year students who demonstrate outstanding achievements in their studies and careers. It is open to applicants from around the world, regardless of their nationality, personal income, or parental income.
- The scholarship covers 300 euros per month, with half provided by the federal government and the other half from private donors. This financial support is income-independent and is granted for at least two semesters, potentially covering the entire standard period of study.
Requirements
The Deutschlandstipendium is granted by universities, and applicants must fulfill their specific requirements. Selection criteria often involve academic excellence, social engagement, and personal achievements, which can include overcoming challenges. Importantly, this scholarship is not based on personal or parental income and doesn’t affect BAföG grants.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) scholarship is for international students and graduates who have acquired a university degree and intend to pursue postgraduate or master’s studies, doctoral studies, or a research fellowship of at least three semesters at a university in Germany.
The scholarship program includes financial assistance, personal guidance, a seminar program, and access to the KAS network. Graduate students receive a monthly scholarship of €934 for two years, while PhD students receive €1,400 per month for three years. Additional subsidies for health insurance, family allowance, children’s allowance, and course-related fees may be available.
Requirements
- MA applicants must have a university degree, demonstrate strong academic performance, possess B2-level German language skills, engage in voluntary work, plan for a minimum of four semesters in Germany, have a broad education, and support democracy and human rights.
- Ph.D. applicants should fulfill the criteria above, provide a detailed thesis description, a second academic letter of recommendation from their thesis supervisor, and confirmation of supervision by their doctoral advisor.
Erasmus Scholarship Programs
The Erasmus+ Mobility Programme for Higher Education Students is intended for students who are regularly enrolled at a German higher education institution, have completed their first year of study, are enrolled at a higher education institution participating in the Erasmus+ project, and whose home institution has signed an Erasmus cooperation agreement with the receiving institution. It is open to students in at least their second year of study.
The scholarship covers study periods and traineeships (work placements) in specified Erasmus+ program countries and partner countries. Sponsored students are exempt from tuition, registration, examination, laboratory, and library fees at the host institution.
Requirements
- Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be regularly enrolled at a German higher education institution, have completed their first year of study, be enrolled at a higher education institution participating in the Erasmus+ project, and have their home institution sign an Erasmus cooperation agreement with the receiving institution. Additionally, students must be in at least their second year of study to be eligible.
Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships
The scholarship provided by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) is aimed at particularly gifted students from various regions, including countries in the Global South (Asia, Africa, and Latin America), post-Soviet states, as well as eastern and south-eastern European (EU) countries. Eligible candidates are those who demonstrate excellent school or academic merit, wish to pursue their studies in Germany, and are committed to the values of social democracy
The FES scholarship includes a base monthly stipend of €830 (Bachelor’s/Diplom/Magister/state examination programs) or €850 (Master’s programs). It covers health insurance costs and offers a family allowance of €276 for students with children. The scholarship does not require repayment.
Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled at a state or state-recognized higher education institution in Germany, showcasing above-average academic performance with the presentation of initial graded certificates of academic achievement, and possessing adequate knowledge of the German language, even if courses are conducted in English.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships target PhD-holding researchers worldwide, fostering skills development through advanced training, international mobility, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The fellowships offer two programs: European and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Funding supports European Fellowships (12-24 months) and Global Fellowships (24-36 months) with “outgoing” and “return” phases. Benefits include full-time employment contracts, monthly salaries, living allowances, and support for research-related expenses at host institutions.
Requirements
- Eligibility for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships is open to researchers of any nationality and from all scientific disciplines who hold a doctoral degree. Applicants should have a maximum of 8 years of full-time post-graduate research experience at the submission deadline, with certain allowances for career breaks. Selection considers Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), and Implementation Quality (20%) with expert panel assessment.
Stipendium Plus
The scholarship is for outstanding undergraduate and doctoral students in Germany, including German, EU-European, and eligible international students. It’s funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and managed by 13 organizations, such as Avicenna-Studienwerk, Cusanuswerk, Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk, and others. To qualify, students must be enrolled at a recognized higher education institution in Germany.
For undergraduates, the scholarship includes a monthly basic scholarship (up to €812), health insurance (up to €94), family allowances (€155 per child), and study-related costs (€300). Doctoral candidates receive a monthly scholarship (€1,350), health insurance (up to €100), family allowances (from €155 per child), research costs (€100), and support for study abroad.
Requirements
- Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic achievements and be enrolled at a recognized German higher education institution. Detailed requirements may vary by organization within StipendiumPlus.
