Germany Scholarships
All scholarship categories valid in Germany for international students. Filter by education level, field and nationality — discover what fits you.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
DAAD Scholarships — Complete Guide for International Students
Germany's official academic exchange service — the broadest scholarship program for international students. 8 categories from bachelor to postdoc, from summer school to artist grants.
Other Major Scholarship Sources
Scholarship programs valid in Germany beyond DAAD, open to international students.
Erasmus+ Programme
EU exchange program. Study a semester/year in Germany from your home university.
350-550 €/month (by country tier)
Deutschlandstipendium
Half government, half private sponsor. Based on achievement and social engagement. Open to students of every nationality.
300 €/month, 1-2 semesters
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Foundation close to SPD. For students aligned with social-democratic values — bachelor + master + PhD.
Master: up to 992 €/month + 300 € · PhD: 1,650 € + 100 €
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Foundation linked to the Greens. Focus on environment, democracy and diversity. Bachelor + master + PhD.
Master: up to 992 €/month + 300 € · PhD: 1,650 € + 100 €
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Close to CDU. Liberal democracy, economics, social responsibility values. Bachelor + master + PhD.
Master: up to 992 €/month + 300 € · PhD: 1,650 € + 100 €
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung
Linked to CSU, focused on Bavaria. Bachelor/master/PhD for international students.
Master: up to 992 €/month + 300 € · PhD: 1,650 € + 100 €
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Close to Die Linke. Focus on equality and global justice. Master + PhD heavy.
Master: up to 992 €/month + 300 € · PhD: 1,650 € + 100 €
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
Germany's most prestigious academic scholarship. Only the top 1% of students. Limited slots for international students.
300 €/month + book + Reisekosten
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Postdoc and senior researchers only. For top researchers from all over the world.
2,670 €/month + research support
Tips for Scholarship Search
- ▸Apply early — Most DAAD scholarship deadlines are 12-15 months before the target term.
- ▸Use Stipendienlotse — stipendienlotse.de is the federal government platform with fuzzy search.
- ▸Mentor letter — Most scholarships require a professor reference letter — ask 2 weeks in advance.
- ▸Apply to several — If DAAD rejects, try a foundation; if foundation rejects, try Erasmus+. Always have a plan B.
- ▸Ask at the German university — The Auslandsamt office of your target university may have its own scholarships.
How can I get a scholarship to study in Germany?
Main pathways: DAAD (academic merit + need, ~992 EUR/month + tuition + travel), Deutschlandstipendium (300 EUR/month, merit-based), and political foundations (Heinrich-Böll, Konrad-Adenauer, Friedrich-Ebert, Rosa-Luxemburg) that value social engagement alongside grades. Apply 9–15 months before your programme start.
- Identify matching scholarships — Filter by your field, degree level, and country eligibility.
- Prepare a strong motivation letter — Highlight academic plan + social engagement + return contribution.
- Collect required documents — Transcripts, language certificate, CV, recommendation letters, project proposal.
- Apply early (9–15 months ahead) — Most scholarship deadlines close long before programme start.
- Combine multiple smaller scholarships if needed — Deutschlandstipendium + foundation top-ups can stack legally.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scholarships
Funding paths for international students in Germany
What are the main scholarships for studying in Germany? ▼
Top sources: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Deutschlandstipendium (300 EUR/month, merit-based), Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Erasmus+ (for EU), and individual university scholarships.
Are DAAD scholarships available for Master programmes? ▼
Yes — DAAD offers Master scholarships (~ 992 EUR/month + tuition + travel + insurance) for development-related fields, EPOS programmes, and specific country quotas. Application deadlines are usually 6–12 months before programme start.
Can I get a scholarship without high grades? ▼
Yes — many German scholarships use social engagement + motivation + need-based criteria rather than only grades. Heinrich-Böll, Hans-Böckler, and political-party foundations consider activism, volunteering, and personal background heavily.
Do German scholarships cover living costs entirely? ▼
DAAD covers ~992 EUR/month + tuition + travel + insurance — fully sufficient for living costs in most German cities. Deutschlandstipendium adds 300 EUR/month on top of other income. Smaller scholarships (~150–500 EUR) usually need to be combined.
When should I apply for German scholarships? ▼
Plan 9–15 months ahead. Most DAAD calls open in August–October for the following winter semester. Stiftungen accept applications year-round but review only 2–4 times per year.