Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students

If you are an international student who finished school outside Germany and want to study for a Masters or PhD in Germany, the Heinrich Boll Foundation offers a limited number of scholarships. The funding is for study at state or state-recognised universities in Germany. The award helps with monthly living costs and, in some cases, tuition fees.

The scholarships support Masters or PhD degrees in any subject available at state or state-recognised universities in Germany.

If you are an EU student, you can also use the scholarship for Masters courses at state or state-recognised universities in Germany, Switzerland, and other EU member states.

Not specified.

The program is open to international students, both EU and non-EU, who were not educated in Germany.

Masters Studies:
Non-EU students: €934 per month plus various individual allowances, possibly health insurance; tuition fees are in certain cases possible in Germany.

EU students: varies, max. €812 plus €300 book money per month; tuition fees not possible in Germany but possible to a limited extent in other countries.

The scholarship is awarded for the regular period of study, may be extended by one semester.

PhD Studies:
Non-EU students: €1,200 per month plus €100 mobility allowance per month, plus various individual allowances; tuition fees are not possible.

EU students: €1350 per month basic scholarship plus €100 per month research costs allowance; tuition fees are not possible in Germany but possible to a limited extent in other countries.

The scholarship is awarded for three years as a rule (two years, may be extended at most by 12 months).

International Master students who earned their university entrance qualification outside Germany:

• You may apply before commencing your Masters programme or at any time up to the end of the first semester of the Masters programme.
• Proof of first professional qualification must be provided.
• Required proof of German Proficiency: Level B2 or DSH 2 (with certificate).

International Doctoral students who earned the university entrance qualification outside Germany:

• Proof of admission to doctoral studies by a state or state-recognised university, as a rule in Germany, must be included with the application.
• By the application date, preliminary work must have been completed and a valid timetable for completion must be submitted.
• PhD subjects related to focal points of the Foundation’s activities will be given priority.
• Required proof of German Proficiency: Level B2 or DSH 2 (with certificate).

For details of application requirements and procedures, please consult information sheet A 1-1 (“scholarship application for undergraduate and graduate students”, PDF) or A 2-1 (“scholarship application for doctoral studies”). The online application portal closes on 1 March or 1 September (for PhD studies only).

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for details on how to apply for this scholarship.