What are scholarships and how can I get one?

Studying and doing a doctorate costs a lot of time, sometimes nerves - and always money. This is where a scholarship can help. The special thing about scholarships is that you don't have to pay back the money you receive.
"But surely only the absolute high-flyers get a scholarship, I won't get one anyway?" - Many people think this, but it's often a cliché. It is doubly worthwhile to look into this possibility, because in addition to the money, a scholarship looks very good on your CV and often offers many opportunities to make useful contacts.

We present the most important scholarship providers here, but the overall variety of scholarships is almost unmanageable. It may well be worth searching the internet for your specific case, for example "scholarship + [home town]" or "scholarship + [subject]".

Eine Person hält Geldscheine in der Hand

The major funding organisations

There are 13 major funding organisations in Germany that award scholarships. The amount of the scholarships is always the same, but the so-called non-material support differs. For example, various seminars, exchange meetings, etc. are offered.

The amount is based on the BAföG rate, i.e. it depends on your parents' income. As a scholarship holder, you will also receive a book allowance of €300 per month.

The funding organisations are usually affiliated with political parties, churches or trade unions. You should apply to the foundation that is closest to your ideology.

To the StipendiumPlus portal
eine Holzhand hält Geldscheine

Germany Scholarship

The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship supports students for one year with 300 euros per month. In addition to academic or school performance, criteria such as voluntary work or social background also play a role. Applications are made directly via your own university.

To Deutschlandstipendium.de

Regional foundations

fem:talent scholarship

The fem:talent scholarship is aimed at female STEM bachelor's, master's and doctoral students at Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences.

The Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences provides scholarships to promote young female academics at several qualification levels. Funding is provided for up to one year, bachelor's and master's students with 1800 euros per semester, doctoral students with 3000 euros per semester plus child allowance.

Further information, including the current application deadlines, can be found at: fem:talent-Stipendium - Hochschule Emden/Leer (hs-emden-leer.de)

E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation

The E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation offers financial support for students who are about to complete their studies. An interest-free loan ("microloan") of a maximum of 2,000 euros is granted. Repayment is due after five years at the latest. More information: Website of the E.W.Kuhlmann Foundation's graduation assistance programme

Dr Dettling Foundation

The foundation was established in the will of Dr Charlotte Dettling, who died in 1986. The purpose of the foundation is to support needy and eligible high school graduates and students to study at a German university.
Students who are citizens (including EU foreigners) of the city of Oldenburg can be sponsored. Students from other EU countries are also eligible. The amount of the scholarship varies. The funding period is one semester.

Dr Dettling Foundation // University of Oldenburg (uol.de)

Dr h.c. Peter and Doris Waskönig Foundation

Three half-year scholarships totalling €500 per month are awarded. These scholarships are awarded to students of the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg who have demonstrated outstanding ability, initiative and responsibility during their studies.

Students of all undergraduate degree programmes who are about to successfully complete their studies or who are preparing to complete their studies with their thesis can apply for a scholarship.

Further information: Dr. h. c. Peter and Doris Waskönig Foundation // University of Oldenburg (uol.de)

Friends of the Jade University of Applied Sciences Wilhelmshaven

The support association awards scholarships to Bachelor's and Master's students at Wilhelmshaven University of Applied Sciences to partially finance their studies or for stays abroad.

More information: Association for the Promotion of the Jade University in Wilhelmshaven e.V. - Jade University (jade-hs.de)

Heinz Neumüller Foundation

The Heinz Neumüller Foundation (founder of CeWe Color) awards four to six scholarships per year to doctoral students at the University of Oldenburg, each worth a maximum of 400 euros per month.

Applicants who have obtained a diploma or master's degree in Faculties II or V of Computer Science, Economics and Law, Engineering or Natural Sciences are eligible for the scholarship. If these requirements are met, but parts of the doctoral topic originate from other faculties, it is at the discretion of the Board of Trustees to include these doctoral candidates in the funding programme.

Persons who fulfil the requirements can either apply for a scholarship themselves or be nominated by a university lecturer.

Further information: Heinz Neumüller Foundation // University of Oldenburg (uol.de)

Business-related foundations

Reemtsma Foundation for the Promotion of Gifted Students

The Begabtenförderungswerk was founded in 1957 by the Reemtsma family with the aim of enabling pupils and students to obtain higher education qualifications. Depending on their educational requirements and field of study, students are supported from the first semester with €220 per month or €195 (if they have already completed vocational training) (as of 2024).

Read more (external)

Rheinstahl Foundation

More than 400 young graduates find an entry-level position at Thyssen-Krupp every year. The Group would like to establish contact with students of mechanical engineering, electrical and industrial engineering, economics and computer science at an early stage and retain young talent. The Thyssen-Krupp study sponsorship programme offers financial support of currently (as of 2024) 550 euros per semester until the standard period of study is reached, and scholarship holders are also invited to seminars. The aim is to teach content that is important for the future job but is sometimes neglected at university. The programme starts with a seminar on personal success strategies, followed by project management training and a seminar on career orientation.

more (external)

From abroad and abroad

For international students

Graduation scholarship for international students

The International Office (IO) of the University of Oldenburg awards scholarships of up to €500 per month for a period of three to four months to international students and doctoral candidates at the University of Oldenburg for the completion of their studies. The funds come from the DAAD.

More information: STIBET scholarships for international students and doctoral candidates // University of Oldenburg (uol.de)

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The DAAD offers various scholarships for international students in Germany. Overview: Overview of DAAD scholarships - DAAD

 

By the way: Some of the party-affiliated foundations also support students without a German passport.

For a study visit abroad

A note in advance: It is often worth applying for BAföG for a planned study period abroad. The funding conditions here are somewhat different from those for studying in Germany, and there are also supplements for travelling expenses and international health insurance, for example.

Funding for studying abroad is possible with many of the foundations and institutions listed here, but there are exceptions.

For further information and advice on this topic, please contact the International Office at your university.

 

Scholarships for special groups

Advancement scholarship

For experienced professionals

Anyone who has already completed an apprenticeship and has professional experience can be supported by the advancement scholarship during their studies. It is important to note that this must be your first academic degree programme, but it can be full-time or part-time. You can apply before the start of your degree programme or up to the end of the second semester.

More information

Further education scholarship

For experienced professionals

The further education scholarship supports young people under the age of 25 who have successfully completed a vocational training programme to gain further professional qualifications. Funding is available for further training and part-time degree programmes if the student is also working at least 15 hours per week and the chosen degree programme builds on their training and work experience. The costs of the degree programme are eligible for funding, but not living expenses.

More information

Scholarships for students with disabilities

There are a large number of scholarships for students and doctoral candidates as well as for academics with disabilities. We have compiled an overview of national and regional foundations with their respective funding priorities for you here.

to the overview

Scholarship from Hildegardis e.V.

The organisation supports Christian women in various life situations by granting interest-free loans.

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