Scholarships in Germany for International Students 2025

Germany offers a wide range of generous scholarships funded by the government and various organizations, making higher education more accessible to students from around the world. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular scholarships available:

Expatrio Scholarship

Who can apply? International students from any country who have applied for the Expatrio Value Package and plan to start studying in Germany in 2025.
What’s covered? Three main winners are selected: 1st place gets €12,000, 2nd place €6,000, and 3rd place €3,000. Additional prizes are awarded from 4th to 10th place.
Requirements: Submit a 2-minute video (mp4 format) answering: Why are you passionate about your chosen field of study in Germany? No copyrighted content allowed.
Deadline: The last deadline was September 30, 2024. The 2025 deadline will be announced later.

Go to the scholarship.

DAAD Scholarship Programs

Who can apply? Students worldwide pursuing master’s, Ph.D., or postdoctoral research in Germany.
What’s covered? Monthly stipends (€992 for graduates, €1,300 for Ph.D. students), travel allowances, health insurance, and study/research allowances.
Requirements: Strong academic performance, language proficiency, and relevant work experience.
Deadline: Varies by program and country. Check the DAAD website for details.

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Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships

Who can apply? Master’s and doctoral students of all nationalities studying at German universities.
What’s covered?
- EU students: Up to €812/month + €300 study allowance.
- Non-EU students: €992/month + health insurance.
- Doctoral students: €1,400–€1,450/month + additional allowances.
Requirements: Academic excellence, social engagement, and motivation. Doctoral applicants need proof of admission.
Deadline: March 1 and September 1 each year.

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Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Program

Who can apply? Students enrolled or about to enroll at a partner institution in Germany.
What’s covered? €300/month for at least two semesters, with possible extensions.
Requirements: High academic performance, social engagement, and personal achievements. Not income-based.
Deadline: Typically between June and August, depending on the university.

Go to the scholarship.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship

Who can apply? International students pursuing a master’s, Ph.D., or research program in Germany (minimum 4 semesters). Focus countries for 2025 include Central Asia, Mongolia, and Mexico.
What’s covered?
- Master’s students: €992/month for 2 years.
- Ph.D. students: €1,400/month for 3 years.
- Additional allowances for health insurance, family, and course fees.
Requirements: Strong academic record, B2-level German, social engagement, and support for democracy and human rights.
Deadline: March 9, 2025 (Central Asia/Mongolia) and February 23, 2025 (Mexico).

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Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs

Who can apply? Students in short-cycle, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs from EU Member States and associated countries.
What’s covered? Monthly stipends, travel grants, and exemption from tuition fees.
Requirements: Enrollment in a recognized degree program and relevance of the study period to your degree.
Deadline: Varies by sending and receiving country. Check with your home institution.

Go to the scholarship or find more details in our guide: Studying in Germany through Erasmus+.

Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships

Who can apply? International students and doctoral candidates committed to social democracy.
What’s covered?
- Students: €992/month.
- Doctoral candidates: €1,400/month for up to 3 years.
Requirements: Academic excellence, socio-political engagement, and motivation.
Deadline: Varies by program. Check the FES website for details.

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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships

Who can apply? Researchers with a Ph.D. from any country, aiming to conduct a 1–2 year research project in an EU Member State or associated country.
What’s covered? Living, mobility, and family allowances, plus research and training funds.
Requirements: Maximum 8 years of post-graduate research experience (exceptions for career breaks).
Deadline: April 9, 2025.

Go to the fellowships.

StipendiumPlus

Who can apply? German, EU, and international students eligible under BAföG Section 8, enrolled at a recognized German university.
What’s covered? Monthly allowances up to €855 for students and €1,550 for doctoral candidates, plus additional benefits.
Requirements: Exceptional academic performance and enrollment at a recognized institution.
Deadline: Varies by awarding organization.

Go to the program.

Bayer Foundation Fellowships

Who can apply? Master’s and Ph.D. students in scientific disciplines (e.g., pharmacy, data science, medical engineering).
What’s covered? Up to €10,000 for international research projects or internships.
Requirements: Excellent academic records, innovation, and societal impact of research.
Deadline: February 14–April 11, 2025.

Go to the fellowships.

Scholarships by German Universities

Many universities in Germany offer their own scholarships. Here are a few examples:

Humboldt Research Fellowship
- Who can apply? Postdoctoral and experienced researchers (non-German nationals).
- What’s covered? Monthly stipends of €2,700–€3,200, plus family and travel allowances.
- Deadline: Apply well in advance of selection dates (March, July, November).
- Go to the fellowship.
TUM Linde / MDSI Master Scholarship
- Who can apply? Master’s students in Data Engineering and Analytics or Mathematics in Data Science at TUM.
- What’s covered? €1,000/month for up to 12 months.
- Deadline: Next cycle to be announced.
- Go to the scholarship.
Heidelberg University HAUS Scholarships
- Who can apply? U.S. students accepted to Heidelberg University.
- What’s covered? 4,500(bachelor’s)or4,500(bachelor’s)or7,000 (master’s) per semester.
- Deadline: Early 2025 (to be announced).
- Go to the scholarship.
University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships
- Who can apply? Outstanding international students enrolled for at least 2 semesters.
- What’s covered? Up to €930/month for students, €1,200/month for doctoral researchers.
- Deadline: April 15 and October 15, 2025.
- Go to the scholarship.

Federal State-Specific Scholarships

Some scholarships are specific to German federal states:

Baden-Württemberg Stiftung
- Who can apply? Students studying in Baden-Württemberg or from partner institutions abroad.
- What’s covered? €600–€1,400/month for 3–11 months.
- Deadline: Varies by institution.
- Go to the scholarship.
Max Weber Program (Bavaria)
- Who can apply? Students under 23 studying in Bavaria.
- What’s covered? €1,290/semester + support for study projects abroad.
- Deadline: November 1, 2024 (next cycle to be announced).
- Go to the program.
Lower Saxony Scholarship
- Who can apply? First-generation students, refugees, or those facing social challenges.
- What’s covered? €500/semester.
- Deadline: Varies by university.
- Go to the scholarship.
Elsa Neumann Scholarship (Berlin)
- Who can apply? Doctoral researchers in Berlin.
- What’s covered? €1,350/month for up to 36 months.
- Deadline: April 16, 2025.
- Go to the scholarship.

MBA Scholarships

Many German business schools offer scholarships for MBA students:

ESMT Berlin Scholarships
- Who can apply? Outstanding MBA applicants, including women, LGBTQ+, and regional candidates.
- What’s covered? Tuition fee reductions (€5,000–€25,000).
- Deadline: Part of the MBA application process.
- Go to the scholarships.
HHL Leipzig Scholarships
- Who can apply? MBA applicants from specific regions or backgrounds.
- What’s covered? Partial tuition reductions.
- Deadline: June 30 annually.
- Go to the scholarships.
WHU Otto Beisheim Scholarships
- Who can apply? MBA applicants with unique profiles.
- What’s covered? Varies by scholarship.
- Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Go to the scholarships.
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Scholarships
- Who can apply? High-performing MBA, master’s, or bachelor’s applicants.
- What’s covered? Up to 100% tuition reduction (bachelor’s), partial reductions (master’s/MBA).
- Deadline: July 31, 2025 (MBA).
- Go to the scholarships.
Mannheim Business School Scholarships
- Who can apply? MBA applicants with diverse backgrounds.
- What’s covered? Partial tuition reductions.
- Deadline: July 31, 2025.
- Go to the scholarships.

These scholarships provide excellent opportunities for students to fund their education in Germany. Be sure to check specific deadlines and requirements for each program!