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
Das Deutschlandstipendium bietet ein Jahr lang eine Förderung von 300€ pro Monat, unabhängig vom Einkommen und zusätzlich zum individuellen BAföG-Satz. Das Stipendium wird von der jeweiligen Hochschule vergeben. Für die saarländischen Hochschulen erfolgt die Bewerbung für das Deutschlandstipendium über die StudienStiftungSaar.

https://studienstiftungsaar.de/studierende
Das SaarlandStipendium der StudienStiftungSaar bietet finanzielle Unterstützung für die Dauer eines Semesters oder eines Jahres sowie ideelle Förderung, Orientierung und Vernetzung.

www.sbb-stipendien.de
Die Stiftung betreut zwei Bundesprogramme für Fachkräfte mit Berufsausbildung: das Weiterbildungsstipendium und das Aufstiegsstipendium. Zielgruppe für die finanzielle Förderung sind motivierte und engagierte berufliche Talente.

Kleinere Stiftungen unterstützen häufig gezielt bestimmte Studiengänge, persönliche Hintergründe oder besondere Lebensumstände. Die Recherche nach passenden Angeboten kann etwas Zeit in Anspruch nehmen, lohnt sich aber: Portale wie MyStipendium.de oder e-fellows.net helfen dabei, passende Programme zu finden. 

Einige Stipendien richten sich beispielsweise speziell an Studierende bestimmter Fachrichtungen wie Lehramt oder Medizin:

• Das AppCamps-Stipendium Digitale Bildung bietet Lehramtsstudierenden Fortbildungen und Materialien rund um digitale Bildung – eine Förderung in nicht-monetärer Form.
• Die Plattform medizinstipendium.de bündelt Stipendienangebote für Medizinstudierende aus ganz Deutschland.

Andere Stiftungen und Organisationen fördern bestimmte Zielgruppen – zum Beispiel Studierende, die als Erste in ihrer Familie ein Studium aufnehmen. Eine zentrale Anlaufstelle für diese sogenannte "First-Generation"-Gruppe ist ArbeiterKind.de. Die Initiative unterstützt mit Mentoring, Informationsveranstaltungen und praktischen Tipps zur Stipendiensuche – besonders bei Herausforderungen wie finanziellen Engpässen oder fehlenden akademischen Vorbildern. Dabei macht ArbeiterKind.de deutlich, dass Stipendien keineswegs nur wenigen vorbehalten sind – und begleitet Interessierte auf dem gesamten Weg der Bewerbung.