Top Scholarships for International Students in Germany 2026

Why Scholarships Matter

While tuition is free at most German public universities, living costs add up. Scholarships can cover accommodation, health insurance, and living expenses - making your dream affordable!

Major Scholarship Programs

1. DAAD Scholarships (Most Popular)

The German Academic Exchange Service offers numerous programs:

DAAD EPOS (Master's)

Coverage: €861/month + health insurance + travel allowance
Duration: 12-42 months
Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, 2 years work experience preferred
Deadline: Varies by program (usually August-October)

DAAD Study Scholarships

Coverage: €934/month (Master's), €1,200/month (PhD)
Duration: 10-24 months
For: Graduate students in all fields

DAAD Research Grants

Coverage: €1,200/month
For: Doctoral candidates and young academics

How to apply: www.daad.de - Create account, choose program, submit online

2. Erasmus+ (EU Program)

Coverage: €270-€320/month + travel costs
Duration: 3-12 months
Eligibility: Students from Erasmus+ partner universities
How to apply: Through your home university's international office

3. Deutschland stipendium

Amount: €300/month
Duration: At least 2 semesters
Eligibility: All students (based on merit and personal circumstances)
How to apply: Directly through German universities
Note: Half funded by government, half by private sponsors

4. Heinrich Böll Foundation

Coverage: €812-€1,148/month
Focus: Students committed to ecology, sustainability, human rights
Eligibility: Excellent academic record + social engagement

5. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Coverage: €861-€1,148/month
Focus: Political science, social sciences
Values: Democracy, social market economy

6. Friedrich Ebert Foundation

Coverage: €812/month + allowances
Focus: Social justice, democracy
Good for: Students from developing countries

7. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation

Coverage: €450-€1,148/month
Focus: Social justice, critical analysis
Eligibility: Committed to social and political engagement

8. Humboldt Research Fellowship

Coverage: €2,670/month (postdocs), €3,170/month (experienced researchers)
For: Researchers from abroad
Duration: 6-24 months

Country-Specific Scholarships

For Developing Countries

• KAAD: Catholic students from developing countries
• EPOS: Developing country professionals
• DeveloPPP: Students from partner countries

For Specific Regions

• BMBF China Scholarship: Chinese students in STEM
• Indian Council for Cultural Relations: Indian students
• Arab-German Young Academy: Arab countries

Field-Specific Scholarships

STEM Fields

• Helmholtz International Fellow Award
• Max Planck Research Scholarships
• Fraunhofer Attract

Arts & Humanities

• Berlin Program for Artists
• German Historical Institute Scholarships

MBA/Business

• ESMT Berlin Scholarships
• WHU Otto Beisheim School Scholarships

Application Tips

Timeline

12-15 months before: Research scholarships
10-12 months before: Prepare documents
8-10 months before: Submit applications (most deadlines July-November)
4-6 months before: Receive decisions

Strong Application Elements

1. Compelling motivation letter: Show genuine interest in Germany and your field
2. Excellent academic record: Usually minimum 3.0 GPA required
3. Research proposal: Clear, feasible, relevant (for research scholarships)
4. Strong recommendation letters: From professors who know you well
5. Social engagement: Volunteer work, leadership roles
6. Language skills: German proficiency is a plus (not always required)

Common Mistakes

• Generic motivation letters
• Applying to only one scholarship
• Missing deadlines
• Not following specific guidelines
• Weak recommendation letters

Alternative Funding Options

University-Specific Scholarships

Check each university's website. Many offer merit-based awards:

• TU Munich Presidential Scholarships
• Heidelberg University Excellence Scholarships
• Free University Berlin Scholarships

Government Scholarships (from your country)

Many countries fund their citizens to study abroad:

• Fulbright (USA)
• Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
• China Scholarship Council
• Indian Government Scholarships

Student Loans

• BAföG: For eligible EU students
• KfW Student Loan: Low interest, up to €650/month
• Home country loans: Some cover international studies

Scholarship Search Platforms

• DAAD Scholarship Database: Most comprehensive
• My Stipendium: German platform, very detailed
• ScholarshipPortal: International database
• University websites: Always check directly!

Pro tip: Apply to multiple scholarships! Even small ones (€100-€300/month) add up and show recognition of your achievements.

After Receiving Scholarship

• Respond promptly with acceptance
• Understand obligations (reports, grades, etc.)
• Join scholar networks - great for networking!
• Some scholarships require you to return home (check terms)

Remember: Rejection is normal - many scholarships have 5-10% acceptance rates. Keep trying and apply broadly!