The Heinrich Böll Foundation offers scholarships for students from any country who have excellent academic records and are socially and politically engaged to pursue their studies in Germany.

Key Details

Number of Scholarships: 1500

Organization: Heinrich Böll Foundation

Location: Germany

Level of Study:

• Undergraduate
• Master degree
• PhD

Nationality: All

Subject of Study: All

Application Deadlines

Fall 2026: 15 July 2026 until 1 September 2026
Spring 2027: 15 January 2027 until 1 March 2027

 March Deadline:

• Application Deadline: 1 March 2027
• Stage 2: Interview with Liaison Lecturer – Generally by mid-May
• Stage 3: Digital Interviews with Committee– May/June/July
• Notification of Scholarship Award– June/July
• Probable Commencement of Scholarship Payments– At the latest, 1 October 2027

 September Deadline

• Application start: July 15, 2026
• Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
• Stage 2: Interview with Liaison Lecturer– Generally by mid-November
• Stage 3: Digital Interviews with Committee– December/January/February
• Notification of Scholarship Award– January/February
• Probable Commencement of Scholarship Payments– At the latest, 1 April 2027
• Scholarship Period: One semester, extendable

Scholarship Benefits

• The scholarship provides a monthly allowance of €992 for non-European undergraduate and master’s degree students who were not educated in Germany.
• For non-European PhD students not educated in Germany:

1. 1. 1. Monthly Scholarship of 1400 Euro
      2. Monthly Mobility Allowance of 100 Euro
      3. Plus, various individual allowances

Who Can Apply?

The following people can apply for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships 2026/2027:

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Students:

• Applications are open to Germans, EU nationals, and non-EU nationals.
• Master’s degree applicants with a copy of the first degree certificate or proof of first professional qualification
• Proficiency in German at Level B2 or DSH 2
• Refugees can apply regardless of asylum status
• Refugees who wish to start or continue a bachelor’s or master’s degree (or diploma or state examination
  course) in Germany can apply anytime, regardless of their semester of study.
• Foreign students with German educational qualifications: Students in their first degree program (up to the third semester) or six months before the start of their master’s degree program are eligible to apply. the foundation encourages first-time university students and BAföG recipients to apply.
• The foundation only support a complete degree program in another EU country for a master’s degree (not for a bachelor’s degree).
• Foreign students: International students can apply before starting their master’s degree in Germany.
• Priority is given to applicants from DAC countries who are still abroad at the time of application.

For PhD Students:

• Open to Germans, EU, and non-EU nationals
• Proof of admission to doctoral studies at a state or state-recognized university
• Preliminary work on the Ph.D. project must be completed
• Application dates vary based on educational background and nationality
• Proficiency in German at Level B2 or DSH 2
• Duration of scholarship: Three years, as a rule, may be extended by 12 months
• Priority is given to international applicants from DAC countries who are still abroad at the time of application.

Documents Required

Please prepare the following application documents:

1. Application form with personal data, CV, motivation for applying, and social and political interests.
2. If required, university entrance qualification (Abitur, baccalaureate, or equivalent) with a certified translation.
3. Certified copy of the first-degree certificate with grading explanation if different from the German system.
4. Student enrollment certificate (“Immatrikulationsbescheinigung”).
5. Written proof of German language proficiency (DSH 2 or Level B2).
6. Work samples for applicants to the program “Medienvielfalt Anders.”
7. Third-party reference on social commitment (1-2 pages).
8. Expert reference from a university or college lecturer (1-2 pages).
9. The document provides information on residence permits for refugees.

How to Apply?

Applicants should apply online. Any other forms of application will not be considered.  The application will be opened six weeks before March 1 or September 1.

1. Registration online (using the apply now button on this webpage) and uploading all documents
2. Interview with your liaison lecturer ( usually at your university or near your home.
   (telephone interviews may also be held).
3. Attendance at a selection workshop in Berlin consisting of a one-to-one interview and a group
   discussion.

Apply Now

Information Sheets

For more details, please visit the Heinrich Böll Foundation website.

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