Germany is a preferred destination for international students, offering affordable education and the opportunity to immerse in German culture. Although studying in Germany is generally cheaper than in other places, dealing with financial matters in another country may remain a challenge.
Fortunately, there are many scholarships available to alleviate financial pressures.
There are two main types of scholarships:
- Scholarships funded by the German government.
- Scholarships funded by private organizations.
Source of the article: https://www.studying-in-germany.org/scholarships/
Government and organization-funded Scholarships
Among the most famous scholarships for international students in Germany are government-funded and organization-funded scholarship programs. These scholarships play a crucial role in making higher education in Germany accessible to students from all over the world.
1- DAAD Scholarships
Annually offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), providing essential support for graduates, doctoral candidates, and post-doctoral researchers from around the world to pursue master's degrees, doctoral studies, and post-doctoral research in Germany.
What does the scholarship cover? These fully funded scholarships cover monthly stipends (934 euros for graduates and 1,200 euros for doctoral/Ph.D. students) and travel grants, often including insurance coverage.
What are the required criteria? The eligibility criteria primarily depend on academic achievements, a recognized graduation certificate from the school (if required), proficiency in the language of instruction or working languages, and relevant practical training or work experience if required.
When is the deadline? Due to the availability of numerous scholarships for different programs and countries, the deadlines may vary. It is best to check the program details on the official DAAD website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
2- Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
The Heinrich Böll Foundation annually offers approximately 1500 scholarships to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students of all nationalities who are seeking their degrees at universities, universities of applied sciences, or art universities.
What does the scholarship cover? Scholarship coverage varies by nationality and educational background.
- Bachelor's and postgraduate Scholarships: Germans and foreign students educated in Germany, as well as European citizens, can receive up to 812 euros per month plus a study allowance of 300 euros. Non-European students who have not been educated in Germany can receive 934 euros per month with health insurance and other allowances.
- PhD scholarships: Germans and foreign students who have been educated in Germany and non-European citizens who have not been educated in Germany can receive a monthly basic amount of 1350 euros with additional funding opportunities. Non-European students who have not been educated in Germany can receive 1200 euros per month and a monthly travel allowance of 100 euros and various individual allowances.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? Eligibility also varies by nationality and educational background.
- Bachelor's and Master's scholarships: German and foreign students who have been educated in Germany meet the scholarship requirements first and foremost, while non-German European citizens/students who have not been educated in Germany can apply for Master's scholarships with proof of their initial professional qualification. Selection criteria include academic performance, social engagement, and motivation.
- Doctoral scholarships: Eligible are Germans/foreign students who have been educated in Germany and European citizens/students who have not been educated in Germany and non-European citizens/students who have not been educated in Germany. Proof of acceptance into the doctoral studies is required, and the selection process is based on academic excellence, quality of the research project, social engagement, and motivation.
When is the deadline? The application deadline is March 1 and September 1 of each year. For more information about deadlines, please visit the official institution's website.
3- National Scholarship Programme in Germany (DeutschlandStipendium)
The National Scholarship Programme in Germany is intended for students and new students who have shown outstanding achievements in their studies and professional lives. This program is available to applicants from all over the world, regardless of their nationality, personal income, or their parents' income.
What does the Scholarships cover? The program covers 300 euros monthly, with half of the amount provided by the federal government and the other half from private donors. This financial support is not income-related and is granted for at least two academic semesters, with the possibility of covering the entire standard study period.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? The national scholarship program in Germany is awarded by universities, and applicants must meet its specific requirements. Selection criteria often include academic excellence, social engagement, personal achievements, which may involve specific challenges. Most importantly, this scholarship is not tied to personal income or parental income and does not affect federal student aid (BAföG).
When is the deadline? Application periods for the National Scholarship Programme in Germany are usually open in the months before the start of the academic year. The specific deadlines vary for each university, so it is best to check with the university you have chosen for more information.
4- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) scholarship is offered to international students and graduates who have obtained a university degree and intend to pursue postgraduate studies, a master's degree, a doctoral degree, or a research fellowship for a minimum of three academic semesters at a university in Germany.
What does the scholarship cover? The scholarship program includes financial support, personal guidance, seminar program, and access to the KAS network. Graduate students receive a monthly scholarship of 934 euros for two years, while doctoral students receive 1400 euros per month for three years. Additional assistance may be available for health insurance, family allowance, child allowance, and course fees.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? Master's applicants must hold a university degree, demonstrate good academic performance, possess B2-level German language skills, engage in voluntary work, plan to study for a minimum of four academic semesters in Germany, have a broad education, and support democracy and human rights.
Applicants for the doctoral program must meet the above-mentioned criteria, provide a detailed description of their research proposal, a second academic recommendation letter from their thesis supervisor, and confirmation of their doctoral advisor's supervision.
When is the deadline? The application deadline for the scholarship program varies depending on the chosen application method. The deadlines and application procedures may vary for international applicants from specific centralized countries or regions for the year. For local applicants in Germany, the application period ends on July 15th of each year.
5- Erasmus Scholarship Programs
The Erasmus+ mobility program for students in higher education aims to assist students studying at a university in Germany who have completed their first year of study. They must be enrolled in a university participating in the Erasmus+ project, and their home university must have signed an Erasmus cooperation agreement with the host university. This program is available to students in their second year of study or later.
What does the scholarship cover? The scholarship covers study and training periods (vocational training) in the participating countries of the Erasmus+ program and partner countries. Sponsored students are exempt from tuition fees, registration fees, exams, laboratories, and libraries at the host institution.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? Applicants must meet the following criteria: be enrolled at a German higher education institution on a regular basis and have completed their first year of study, be enrolled at a higher education institution participating in the Erasmus+ project, and have the original institution sign an Erasmus cooperation agreement with the receiving institution. Additionally, students must be at least in their second year of study to be eligible.
When is the deadline? Application deadlines may change depending on the scholarship, so it is best to contact the International Relations Office at your educational institution or the Erasmus+ program officer for more information.
6- Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships
The scholarship offered by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) specifically targets talented students from various regions, including countries in the Global South (Asia, Africa, and Latin America), former Soviet Union countries, as well as Eastern and Southeastern European countries (European Union). Qualified candidates are those who demonstrate outstanding academic or scholastic excellence, wish to pursue their studies in Germany, and are committed to the values of social democracy.
What does the scholarship cover? The FES scholarship includes a monthly basic amount of 830 euros (bachelor's/diploma/master's/government exam programs) or 850 euros (master's programs). It covers health insurance costs and provides a family allowance of 276 euros for students with children. The scholarship does not require any financial repayment.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? Applicants must be enrolled in a government-recognized or accredited higher education institution in Germany, demonstrate above-average academic performance with the submission of preliminary academic certificates bearing an assessment of academic achievements, and possess sufficient knowledge of the German language, even if the courses are conducted in English.
When is the deadline? Application deadlines for FES scholarships vary depending on the specific program and applicant pool. Deadlines typically align with different stages of the academic application process, ranging from before the start of the first semester to several academic terms within the program. Doctoral funding has a more flexible application timeline, with applications accepted at any time, up to approximately two years before submitting the dissertation.
7- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Maria Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships target researchers holding a doctoral degree from all over the world, enhancing skill development through advanced training, international mobility, and collaboration across different disciplines. The fellowships offer two programs: European Fellowships and Global Fellowships for postdoctoral studies.
What does the Scholarship cover? The 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.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? Eligibility for the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships is open to researchers of all nationalities and scientific disciplines holding a doctoral degree. Applicants should have a maximum of 8 years of full-time research experience by the application deadline, with some exemptions for career breaks. Applicants are selected based on excellence (50%), impact (30%), and implementation quality (20%) as evaluated by the expert panel.
When is the deadline? The application opens on April 10, 2024, and closes on September 11, 2024.
8- StipendiumPlus
The scholarship is offered to outstanding students in undergraduate and doctoral studies in Germany, including qualified German, European, and international students. It is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and administered by 13 organizations, such as Avicenna-Studienwerk, Cusanuswerk, Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk, and others.
To qualify, students must be enrolled in a recognized higher education institution in Germany.
What does the scholarship cover? For university students, the scholarship includes a basic monthly amount (up to 812 euros), health insurance (up to 94 euros), family allowances (155 euros for each child), and study costs (300 euros).
Doctoral candidates receive a monthly scholarship (1350 euros), health insurance (up to 100 euros), family allowances (starting from 155 euros for each child), research costs (100 euros), and support for studying abroad.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and be enrolled in a recognized higher education institution in Germany. Detailed requirements may vary by organization within StipendiumPlus.
When is the deadline? Application deadlines vary by program and should be checked on the website of the relevant organization.
9- Bayer Foundation Fellowships
Bayer Foundation offers scholarships for outstanding students in master's, doctoral, and medical degrees, including those studying human and veterinary medicine, medical engineering, applied medical sciences, and medical data sciences. Qualified applicants can be from various scientific disciplines and include students from different countries, including Germany and beyond.
What does the grant cover? Fellowships provide funding of up to 10,000 euros for international research projects, practical training, and other activities. Funding is available for travel expenses, visa expenses, living expenses, and exceptional project costs. The grants aim to enhance existing study programs and promote collaboration across multiple disciplines.
What are the requirements and selection criteria? Applicants must have an excellent academic record in their relevant fields and be currently enrolled in master's, doctoral, or medical programs. The specific eligibility criteria vary depending on the fellowship program, but in general, applicants must demonstrate scientific innovation and relevance to related industries, as well as an understanding of potential societal impacts. Cooperative and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged.
When is the deadline? Applications can be submitted between February 12, 2024 and April 8, 2024.
Finally, obtaining a scholarship is one of the most important steps in achieving the dream of studying in Germany. If you are interested in pursuing higher education in this wonderful country, do not hesitate to explore the available opportunities to obtain scholarships from the German government or private organizations. These scholarships are not only opportunities to alleviate financial pressure, but also opportunities to expand your academic, social, and professional horizons. If you meet the requirements, do not hesitate to apply and strive to achieve your academic dreams in Germany.