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A Complete Guide To

Scholarships in Germany

What is the difference between a scholarship and a fellowship?

Most of us get muddled up on what is a scholarship and fellowship. Sometimes we think that they can mean the same. But we are here to tell you that there is a difference between both of these topics.

Scholarship

A scholarship as we typically all know is a financial grant that is given to a student. It is given to students from their primary classes to their university-level education. There are various scholarships and they help to facilitate your educational expenses. These scholarships are given by schools, universities, organizations and the government. Scholarships are given based on various reasons some of them are:

  • the merit of the student such as their marks
  • if the student is a girl child 
  • they have a single parent
  • Students who have minimum grades but need financial aid

These scholarships generally cover educational expenses, tuition fees, and projects. These expenses need not be paid back as an educational loan. These scholarships help the students to be educated.

Fellowship

Unlike a scholarship, a fellowship is not a financial grant necessarily but provides other benefits. It is given as a stipend for research or as a monetary award for researchers in various other fields. A fellowship is not given to a school student but to a graduate and a postgraduate student who wants to research or as an internship. Fellowships are given based on

  • Merit
  • Students with High GPA
  • To give a good career
  • Access to certain libraries for research

A fellowship might give financial aid to the student and mostly it is a status which has certain benefits such as access to libraries and more.

Scholarships in Germany

Scholarships in germany

DAAD Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by the German Academic Exchange Service for international students. It is one of the organisations that provide large funding to students’ education.

Eligibility: They award research grants for PhD students and postdocs. This research grant is for one year of post-doctoral studies. Other than this scholarships for master’s degrees in Germany are also provided by them.

Scholarship amount: The monthly scholarship payment is €861 for graduate students and €1,200 for PhD students.

Link: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/

Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship

The Heinrich Böll Foundation offers scholarships to 1,400 students every year to study in Germany. The eligible students are those who have excellent academic scores, German language proficiency and other values such as justice and self-determination are noted upon.

Eligibility:  This scholarship is for students who want to pursue their master’s or PhD degrees offered by the state-recognised universities in Germany. 

Scholarship amount: Per month they offer €1,200 for PhD students and €850 for master’s students.

Link: https://www.boell.de/en/scholarships

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DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Program :

They provide financial aid to the students who have meritable academic performances. This scholarship can be availed by any international student who wants to pursue their higher education in Germany. This scholarship is funded for two semesters.

Eligibility:  This scholarship is available for students who are pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Scholarship amount: A monthly amount of €300 is provided.

Link: https://www.deutschlandstipendium.de/deutschlandstipendium/de/services/english/the-deutschlandstipendium-best-of-both-worlds-for-students

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung offers

 Scholarship for international students who want to study in Germany. There are two types of scholarships that are provided.

Eligibility: The international scholarship program is for the students who have worked with their partner organisations. The Scholarship Program for international students is for students who want to pursue a PG or PhD degree and are required to have a general proficiency in the German language.

Scholarship amount: The scholarship amount per month for PG students is €850 for two years and for PhD students is €1,200 for three years.

Link: https://www.kas.de/en/web/begabtenfoerderung-und-kultur/auslaenderfoerderung

Erasmus Scholarship Program :

The Erasmus Scholarship Program gives the opportunity to the students who are already enrolled in a university in their home country a possibility to study for a semester or two at a German University. This program is not for the students who are currently pursuing their studies. This is an exchange program to broaden their academic knowledge and professional experience.

Eligibility: An eligible student of exchange whose university is a member of the Erasmus Charter of Higher Education. 

Scholarship amount: up to €49,000 for two years.

 Link: https://maeh-mundus.eu/erasmus-mundus-scholarships/#:~:text=The%20Erasmus%20Mundus%20scholarship%20is,the%20full%202%2Dyear%20programme.

Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship :

This scholarship is given only to selected students from certain countries. Annually the Friedrich Ebert Foundation provides scholarships for more than 2000 students.

Eligibility: This scholarship is for students from Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. PG and UG students can apply

Scholarship amount: Per month UG students are given €650 and PG students are given €1000.

Link: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=10000153

Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship :

This scholarship provides political education in Germany and globally. This foundation is based on the idea of liberalism. This scholarship is for German and international students who study full time at the state-recognised universities in Germany.

Eligibility: This scholarship is for PG and PhD students.

Scholarship amount: Per month PG students are given €850 and PhD students are given €1,200.

Link: https://www.freiheit.org/scholarships-friedrich-naumann-foundation-freedom

Hanns Seidel Stiftung Scholarship :

Hanns Seidel Stiftung foundation is closely associated with the Christian Social Union and it provides scholarships to highly qualified students. They want their students to uphold their Christian values.

Eligibility: This scholarship is for the PhD students and the PG students who should have German language proficiency.

Scholarship amount: Per month €861 for postgraduate students and €1,200 for PhD students.

Link: https://india.hss.de/scholarships/

Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship :

The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship is related to the left party. They offer scholarships to highly qualified doctorate and undergraduate students who are from different fields. But students from technical disciplines are given priority. International and German students can apply.

Eligibility: PG and PhD students can apply. German language proficiency is required.

Scholarship amount: €1,350 per month

Link: https://www.rosalux.de/en/foundation/studienwerk

Cusanuswerk Scholarship :

This scholarship is from the body of the catholic church in Germany which encourages the topics of science and belief. They also conduct exams relating to the Christian faith.

Eligibility: For doctoral students and students of the catholic faith. These students should have good academic records.

Scholarship amount: They provide this scholarship amount for three years and per month they give €725.

Link: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=10000159

Evangelisches Studienwerk Scholarship :

This scholarship is available for Protestant students from any discipline who want to study at the University of applied sciences or any other university in Germany. Even if you are not a member of the Protestant community you are eligible to apply during interview rounds 

Eligibility: Students who want to study higher education

Scholarship amount: €752 per month

Link: https://www.evstudienwerk.de/english/students.html

Avicenna Studienwerk Scholarship :

This youngest scholarship organisation offers grants to Muslim students who have good academic performance. 

Eligibility: Students from the Muslim community

Scholarship amount: per month €1050 

Link: https://www.avicenna-studienwerk.de/scholarship/

KAAD Scholarship :

  • KAAD Scholarship offers grants to students from some particular countries.Eligibility: Students from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America can apply. And priority is given to the catholic students. PG, PhD and postdoctoral research students can apply.Scholarship amount: $20,883Link: https://www.kaad.de/en/stipendien

Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship :

The initiative allows high-achieving young researchers in Berlin who already have a source of income to include a postdoctoral researcher from another country in their junior research group and to receive additional money for material resources. The initiative also aims to recruit foreign postdoctoral researchers to Berlin by providing them with up to five years of work in the city.

Eligibility: This programme is open to junior research group leaders who have previously received financing (e.g., from the DFG or an ERC Starting Grant) to set up and develop a junior research group at one of the Berlin institutions or Charité.

Scholarship amount: € 20,000 per year

Link: https://www.einsteinfoundation.de/en/fellows-projects/einstein-fellows-professors/einstein-international-postdoctoral-fellows/

Humboldt Research Fellowship :

Humboldt Research Fellowship offers you to do your research projects at different stages in your career which is in cooperation with the different hosts in Germany. 

Eligibility: Postdocs, experienced researchers

Scholarship amount: Per month €2,650 for postdocs and €3,150 for experienced researchers.

Link: https://www-humboldt–foundation-de.translate.goog/bewerben/foerderprogramme/humboldt-forschungsstipendium?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship :

The Bayer Science and Education Foundation offers the Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship. This scholarship is for international students and students from German-speaking countries.

Eligibility: The students must be from teacher training courses belonging in biology and chemistry. They should be pursuing a master’s program

Scholarship amount: $21,726

Link: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=10000221

Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships for developing countries :

They want to provide support to the researcher’s career. Hence this fellowship is especially for the PhD students who carry out their research abroad.

Eligibility: PhD students who want to do research and should have eight years of experience in research.

Scholarship amount: Per month €5,150 

Link: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships

Mawista Scholarship :

This scholarship is to support a student with a child. This will open new avenues to the parent and reach bigger in their career.

Eligibility:  International student with a child

Scholarship amount: €3,000

Link: https://www.mawista.com/en/scholarship/

University Specific Scholarships

DRD scholarship for sub-Saharan African students :

They offer scholarships for students with meritable academic performances from sub-Saharan African countries.

Eligibility: Students from sub-Saharan African countries who want to pursue master’s and PhD degrees.

Scholarship amount: Per month €650

Link: https://www.scholars4dev.com/2504/drd-scholarships-for-sub-saharan-africans/

Frankfurt School of finance and management doctoral tuition waivers :

This is one of the prestigious and leading schools in Europe. They offer fully-funded doctoral programs.

Eligibility: students who want to pursue a PhD

Scholarship amount: Per month €1,750 for five years

Link: https://www.frankfurt-school.de/en/home/programmes/doctoral

FRIAS COFUND Fellowship program :

The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) is the international research college of the University of Freiburg. Individual scholarships are provided by the Institute to support creative research initiatives.

Eligibility: for PhD students and postdoctoral students

Scholarship amount:  Per month €250

Link: https://www.frias.uni-freiburg.de/en/news/call-for-applications/frias-cofund-fellowship-programme-2021-22#:~:text=Up%20to%2025%20FCFP%20fellowships,conduct%20their%20own%20research%20projects.

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Scholarship :

They offer scholarships and graduation grants to international students. This is provided by the city of Hamburg, DAAD and the Karl H.Ditze Foundation.

Eligibility: Bachelor and master’s students

Scholarship amount: Per month €400 

Link: https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/international/international-students/funding-and-scholarships/scholarships/

Heidelberg Scholarship :

They support outstanding students in academics and young scientists in different scholarship programs.

Eligibility: Students, PhD, and support programs for researchers, lecturers and non-teaching staff

Scholarship amount: Per month €300 

Link: https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/study/management-of-studies/funding-of-studies/scholarships-and-support-programmes/scholarships-for-students

HHL International Scholarship :

They offer financial help and scholarships to the students which will provide them with excellent career opportunities.

Eligibility: Masters program at HHL

Scholarship amount: Per month €853 

Link: https://www.hhl.de/programs/financing-options-scholarships/

Humboldt university internal research fellowship :

They offer fellowships for Postdoctoral and experienced researchers. They also provide individual support to students.

Eligibility: Postdoctoral and experienced researchers

Scholarship amount: €3,170

Link: https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes/humboldt-research-fellowship

RWTH Aachen University Scholarships :

They offer a range of scholarships for students. This will benefit the career of the students and provide them with a good future.

Eligibility: Post doctoral, PhD

Scholarship amount: Per month €400

Link: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/dyiv/lidx/1

Kofi Annan MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Students :

The Kofi Annan Business School Foundation awards scholarships to exceptional and ambitious students from underdeveloped countries, allowing them to pursue a full-time MBA at ESMT for a year.

Eligibility: MBA in Kofi Annan 

Link: https://www.scholarshipportal.com/scholarship/kofi-annan-mba-scholarships-for-developing-country-students

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