Last updated: March 2026

TL;DR: Germany offers substantial scholarships for international students. The top programs: DAAD (EUR 934/month for Master's, EUR 1,200/month for PhD), Deutschlandstipendium (EUR 300/month, merit-based), Erasmus+ (covers tuition + living for joint programs), and political foundation scholarships (Heinrich Boell, KAS, FES). Most require strong academics and early application, typically 6-12 months before your program starts.

What Scholarships Are Available for International Students in Germany?

International students in Germany can access government-funded, foundation-backed, EU-wide, and university-specific scholarships. Since most German public universities charge no tuition, these scholarships primarily cover living expenses (EUR 950-1,200/month in 2026). Some also cover travel, health insurance, and research costs.

The competition is real, but less fierce than you might think. Many students do not apply because they assume they will not qualify. If you have above-average grades and apply to multiple programs, your chances improve significantly.

DAAD Scholarships (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)

The DAAD is the world's largest academic funding organization, supporting over 100,000 students annually. It offers the most widely recognized scholarships for studying in Germany.

Funding Details

| Level | Monthly Stipend | Additional Benefits | |

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---| | Master's students | EUR 934/month | Travel allowance, health insurance subsidy, research allowance | | Doctoral students | EUR 1,200/month | Travel allowance, health insurance, research costs, family supplement | | Short-term research | EUR 1,200/month | For stays of 1-6 months |

The scholarship duration matches your program length. For Master's programs, funding typically starts October 1 of the following year (earlier if you need a German language course first).

Eligibility

• Completed Bachelor's degree within the last 6 years (or currently in final year)
• Full-time enrollment at a German university required
• Minimum IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 (iBT) for English-taught programs; some programs accept a medium-of-instruction certificate
• Specific requirements vary by program; check the DAAD Scholarship Database

How to Apply

1. Find your program in the DAAD scholarship database
2. Register at funding-guide.de
3. Submit your application with required documents (transcripts, motivation letter, references, language certificate)
4. Deadlines vary by program, typically October-December for the following academic year

Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)

The Deutschlandstipendium is a merit-based scholarship available at participating German universities. It is funded 50/50 by private donors and the federal government.

Funding Details

| Feature | Details | |

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---| | Amount | EUR 300/month | | Duration | Initially 2 semesters, renewable for entire study period | | Open to | All nationalities | | Income-tested | No | | Extras | Mentoring programs, networking events, internship opportunities |

Eligibility

• Enrolled at a participating German university
• Strong academic performance
• Social engagement, personal achievements, and resilience are also considered
• Doctoral candidates and students at federal universities are not eligible
• Cannot hold another scholarship paying EUR 30+/month simultaneously

How to Apply

Apply directly through your university. Each institution manages its own selection process. Check the Deutschlandstipendium website for participating universities and deadlines (typically April 15 and October 15).

Erasmus+ Scholarships

Erasmus+ is the EU's flagship education exchange program with a budget of EUR 26.2 billion for 2021-2027. For students pursuing Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs), it offers full funding.

Funding Details

• Covers tuition, travel, living allowance, and insurance
• Funds the period spent in Germany as part of a two-country Master's program
• Most major European universities participate

Eligibility

• Pursuing a Master's degree through an EMJMD program
• Program must include study periods in two different participating countries
• Can apply during final year of Bachelor's degree

How to Apply

1. Create an EU Login account
2. Find programs in the EMJMD Catalogue
3. Apply through the specific program's application portal

Political Foundation Scholarships

Germany's major political foundations each offer substantial scholarships with distinct ideological orientations:

| Foundation | Political Leaning | Master's Stipend | PhD Stipend | German Required | Key Focus | |

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---| | Heinrich Boell Foundation | Green/environmental | EUR 934/month | EUR 1,200/month + EUR 100 mobility | B2 (DSH-2) | Environmental issues, social justice, gender equality | | Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) | Christian democratic | EUR 934/month | EUR 1,400/month | B1 | Intercultural dialogue, democracy, rule of law | | Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) | Social democratic | EUR 934/month | EUR 1,400/month | DSH-2 or telc C1 | Social justice, equality, labor rights | | Friedrich Naumann Foundation | Liberal | EUR 934/month | EUR 1,200/month | B2 | Individual freedom, open society | | Rosa Luxemburg Foundation | Democratic socialist | EUR 934/month | EUR 1,200/month | B2 | Social equality, peace, international solidarity | | Hans Seidel Foundation | Conservative (Bavarian) | EUR 934/month | EUR 1,200/month | B2 | Public service, community engagement |

Common Requirements

• Above-average academic performance
• Social commitment and voluntary engagement
• Political awareness (not party membership)
• German language proficiency (minimum B1-B2 depending on foundation)
• Apply before or during first semester of your program

Application Process

Most foundations accept online applications with two rounds of interviews. Deadlines are typically March 1 and September 1 (Heinrich Boell) or vary by foundation. Processing takes 4-7 months.

University-Specific Scholarships

Many German universities offer their own scholarships for international students. These are less competitive than national scholarships because the applicant pool is limited to students at that specific university.

Examples:

| University | Scholarship | Amount | Duration | |

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---| | University of Hamburg | Merit Scholarship | EUR 930/month | 2 semesters (renewable) | | TU Munich | Various department scholarships | EUR 300-1,000/month | Varies | | RWTH Aachen | RWTH Scholarships | EUR 300-500/month | 1-2 semesters | | University of Freiburg | FRIAS Scholarships (research) | Full funding | Project-based |

How to find them: Check your target university's international office website and financial aid pages. Most have application deadlines of April 15 (winter semester) and October 15 (summer semester).

Scholarship Comparison at a Glance

| Scholarship | Amount | Competition | German Required | Application Effort | |

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---| | DAAD | EUR 934-1,200/month | High | No (English OK) | Medium-High | | Deutschlandstipendium | EUR 300/month | Medium | No | Low | | Erasmus+ | Full funding | High | No | High | | Political foundations | EUR 934-1,400/month | High | Yes (B1-B2) | High | | University-specific | EUR 300-1,000/month | Low-Medium | Varies | Low-Medium |

How to Maximize Your Chances

1. Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously. There is no rule against holding applications at several programs (though you can only accept one stipend)
2. Start early. Most deadlines are 6-12 months before your program starts. For DAAD, apply in October-December of the year before
3. Write a strong motivation letter. Be specific about your academic goals, why Germany, and what you will contribute. Avoid generic statements
4. Get strong references. Academic references from professors who know your work carry more weight than generic letters
5. Document social engagement. Foundation scholarships value community service, volunteering, and leadership experience
6. Learn German. Even for English-taught programs, basic German (A2-B1) strengthens your application for foundation scholarships. Explore our German language courses
7. Use the German Grade Calculator to convert your GPA to the German grading scale before applying

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Yes, you can submit applications to several scholarship programs simultaneously. However, most scholarships require you to disclose other funding sources, and you typically cannot hold two full scholarships at once. The Deutschlandstipendium, for example, cannot be combined with another scholarship paying EUR 30 or more per month.

When should I start applying for scholarships?

Start 12 months before your intended program start date. DAAD deadlines are typically October-December for programs starting the following October. Foundation scholarships have rolling deadlines (March 1 and September 1 for Heinrich Boell). University scholarships usually align with admission deadlines.

Do I need to speak German to get a scholarship?

Not for all scholarships. DAAD and Erasmus+ scholarships are available for English-taught programs. The Deutschlandstipendium does not require German either. However, political foundation scholarships (Heinrich Boell, KAS, FES) require at least B1-B2 German proficiency, as they involve seminars and networking events conducted in German.

What are my chances of getting a DAAD scholarship?

DAAD does not publish exact acceptance rates, but they fund approximately 8,000-10,000 new international students per year across all programs. Your chances depend on your field, country of origin, and academic profile. Students from developing countries and those in STEM or development-related fields tend to have slightly higher success rates.

Are there scholarships specifically for Indian students?

While most German scholarships are open to all nationalities, some target specific countries. The DAAD has country-specific programs for India, and the Indian government offers National Overseas Scholarships. Additionally, organizations like SBI and Tata Trusts offer education grants for students going abroad. Check the DAAD India office website for programs specifically available to Indian applicants.