What scholarships are available?

Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (www.studienstiftung.de)

• The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation) is the oldest and largest of the thirteen organizations called Begabtenförderwerke for the promotion of gifted students in Germany.
• The foundation does not pursue a particular focus and scholarships are awarded without any political, ideological or religious requirements.
• Applications are made based on a nomination by the school, lecturers or the examinations office. Applications without a nomination are possible after passing an additional test.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (SPD-aligned) (www.fes.de)

• The Foundation offers basic funding for Germans, foreign nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification and refugees.
• Only students who have not previously been enrolled at a German higher education institution are eligible for funding.
• Requirements include above-average achievements, identification with the values of social democracy and socio-political engagement.

Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung (FDP-aligned) (www.freiheit.org)

• Funding is available for German and foreign students studying on a full-time basis at state or state-recognized universities and universities of applied sciences.
• Good to very good grades and academic achievements are expected.
• Scholarship holders should be interested in politics and have a liberal and open-minded attitude.

Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (CSU-aligned) (www.hss.de)

• The Foundation offers a study grant, a grant for journalists and a grant for trainees.
• Funding is also available for international students, including for doctorates and research stays by international doctoral research students.

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (Grüne-aligned) (www.boell.de)

• The Foundation stands for fundamental values such as ecology, sustainability, democracy, human rights, self-determination and justice.
• The Foundation's aim is to promote international exchange, intercultural dialogue and networking.
• Focus on students with a history of migration, people of colour, refugees, women (especially from STEM subjects), students from a non-academic background and students in certain key subjects (e.g. STEM subjects).

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (CDU-aligned) (www.kas.de)

• The Foundation stands for fundamental values such as personal responsibility, solidarity, freedom and justice.
• Guiding principles are a Christian view of humanity, respect for human dignity, protection of freedom of opinion and expression and the promotion of development opportunities.
• Engagement in society, politics, the church or social projects is expected.

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (Linke-aligned) (www.rosalux.de)

• The Foundation is part of the intellectual current of democratic socialism.
• The Foundation stands for fundamental values such as social justice and solidarity as well as the equalization of social, gender and ethnic disadvantages.
• Funding is available for German and international students of all subjects.

Cusanuswerk (katholisch) (www.cusanuswerk.de)

• Begabtenförderwerk of the Catholic Church in Germany within the framework of the state's support programme for gifted students
• Funding is available for highly gifted Catholic students, doctoral research students and trainees of all disciplines.
• Scholarships are aimed at promoting the development of personality, courage, entrepreneurship, creative initiative, self-confidence, self-criticism, intellectual curiosity, intellectual independence, Christian spirituality and testimony of faith

Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst (www.evstudienwerk.de)

• The Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst is aimed at Protestant students who are passionate about their subject and can demonstrate good academic achievements at school and university.
• Requirements include social skills, the ability to reflect critically and a keen interest in interdisciplinary, social, religious and political issues.
• Particular target groups are students from non-academic backgrounds and students from universities of applied sciences.

Avicenna-Studienwerk (muslimisch) (www.avicenna-studienwerk.de)

• Avicenna is the youngest of the Begabtenförderwerke for the promotion of gifted students in Germany.
• Funding is provided for high-achieving and socially engaged Muslim students and doctoral research students from all disciplines.
• Objectives include the promotion of academic excellence, examination of one's own faith and the assumption of social responsibility

ELES Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (jüdisch) (https://eles-studienwerk.de)

• ELES pursues the vision of an open and self-confident Judaism in the heart of society.
• ELES is a central place for inner-Jewish reflection and development.
• Objectives are the promotion of religious knowledge as well as education and science

Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (www.sdw.org)

• The Foundation is a joint initiative for the promotion of entrepreneurial talent.
• Funding is provided for high-achieving young people and young people facing social challenges.
• Scholarship holders are expected to show initiative and a sense of responsibility.

Hans-Böckler-Stiftung (www.boeckler.de)

• The Foundation is committed to equal opportunities in education.
• Funding is available for students who have come to university via their first, second or third educational pathway.
• Above-average achievements as well as trade union, social or socio-political engagement are expected.

www.deutschlandstipendium.de
The Deutschlandstipendium offers a monthly grant of €300 for one year, regardless of income and in addition to the individual BAföG student loans rate. The scholarship is awarded by the respective university. Students at universities in Saarland can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium via StudienStiftungSaar.

https://studienstiftungsaar.de/studierende
The SaarlandStipendium provided by StudienStiftung Saar offers financial support for one semester or one year as well as personal development support, orientation and networking.

www.sbb-stipendien.de
This foundation, Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung, manages two federal programmes for skilled workers with vocational training: the Weiterbildungsstipendium (scholarship for skilled workers completing seminars, examination preparation courses, related university degrees, etc.) and the Aufstiegsstipendium (scholarship for skilled workers completing their first university degree). The foundation aims to financially support young professionals that demonstrate particular motivation and commitment.

Smaller foundations often support specific study programmes or individuals with certain personal backgrounds or special circumstances. Researching suitable programmes may take some time but can be worth the effort. Portals such as MyStipendium.de or e-fellows.net can help you find suitable programmes. 

Some scholarships are specifically aimed at students studying certain subjects such as teacher training or medicine:

• The AppCamps-Stipendium Digitale Bildung offers students on teacher training degree programmes further training and materials relating to digital education – a non-financial form of support.
• The medizinstipendium.de platform lists scholarship programmes for medical students from all over Germany.

Other foundations and organizations support specific target groups – e.g. students who are the first in their family to study for an academic degree. A central point of contact for this 'first generation' group is ArbeiterKind.de. The initiative provides support in the form of mentoring, information events and practical tips on finding scholarships, particularly when students are facing challenges such as financial hardship or a lack of academic role models. ArbeiterKind.de makes it clear that scholarships are by no means reserved for the few and supports interested students throughout the application process.