Scholarships
Being a scholarship holder of a funding organisation means receiving financial and non-material support during your studies. The financial support does not have to be repaid. You participate in the foundation's own network and can attend numerous exciting events organised by the respective foundation.
Requirements for a scholarship
If you would like to apply for a scholarship, you need good grades and should be able to demonstrate some form of voluntary commitment. This could be a position in the voluntary fire brigade, an orchestra or a sports club, for example. For many of the 13 major funding organisations supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), commitment takes centre stage. The additional application package usually includes two letters of recommendation from university professors and a convincing and authentic letter of motivation.
Our university has over 40 scholarship holders. Some of them introduce themselves here:
Ahmad Al Alewe, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung scholarship holder
Studying in the 3rd master's semester Designing Diversity
"I applied for the scholarship because I wanted financial, educational and career-orientated support and I like to actively participate in political events."
"The scholarship allows me to concentrate better on my studies and I don't have to work full-time. I can also deepen my studies through the wide range of events."
Jamila Butz, scholarship holder of the Max Weber Programme
Studying Social Work in the 7th semester
" I applied for financial reasons and because of the summer academy programme. You can be nominated for the Max Weber Programme or apply on your own initiative - that's what I did. The liaison lecturers Prof Borrmann and Prof Laub supported me."
"The scholarship allows me to work less alongside my studies and to finance additional training. I also enjoy taking advantage of the programme's own offers."
Laura Misslinger, scholarship holder of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Studying industrial engineering in the 7th semester
"Initially, it was important for me to have the freedom to concentrate fully on my studies thanks to the financial support. At the same time, I was fascinated by the opportunities to make valuable contacts and to look beyond my own specialist field by exchanging ideas with other scholarship holders"
"The Konrad Adenauer Foundation's university group brings unrivalled added value. Joint events and activities create an inspiring exchange and a strong community."
Carmen-Raluca Spataceanu, scholarship holder of the Advancement Scholarship
Studying digitalisation, process optimisation and management in the 3rd semester
"My employer at the time recommended me to SBB. I was therefore able to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship provides me with financial support and allows me to concentrate fully on my studies."
"There are lots of exciting seminars on offer that also provide me with further training outside of my studies."
Trade union foundations
Hans Böckler Foundation
The Hans Böckler Foundation has 2,400 scholarship holders. The foundation supports young people with above-average performance who are involved in trade union, socio-political or social issues. In addition to students on full-time study programmes, students on dual study programmes are also supported. Equal opportunities are a top priority here. Applications from students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and students with a migration background are therefore particularly welcome. The application window is open from 15 November 2024 to 1 February 2025.
Denominationally orientated foundations
Avicenna
The support organisation of the Muslim community currently has 500 scholarship holders. It is aimed at students of the Muslim faith who have above-average academic achievements and can demonstrate social commitment. The application window is open from 15 February to 1 April 2025.
Cusanuswerk
The Catholic Church Foundation currently has 900 scholarship holders. Catholic students who are studying full-time or dual study programmes are eligible to apply. Students of the applied arts are expressly encouraged to apply. The application window is open from mid-April to 1 June 2025.
Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Foundation
The Jewish scholarship organisation currently has 450 scholarship holders. Above-average academic performance, Jewish faith, involvement in the community, in the social sector or student organisations are advantageous. The application window is open from 1 to 30 April 2025.
Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst e.G.
The Protestant Church Foundation currently has 1,400 scholarship holders. Students of all faiths who are studying full-time are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed and socially competent, have the ability to reflect critically and have a keen interest in interdisciplinary, religious and political issues. Students from universities of applied sciences and first-time graduates are expressly invited to apply. The application window is open from 1 April to 15 July 2025 and from 1 October 2025 to 15 January 2026.
Party-affiliated foundations
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
The SPD-affiliated foundation currently has 2,500 scholarship holders. Students from non-academic households or with a migration background are given special consideration when applying. The application deadlines are 30 April and 31 October 2025.
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
The FDP-affiliated foundation currently has 850 scholarship holders. Enthusiastic, curious and open-minded students from all faculties can apply. The application windows are open from: 1 to 30 April 2025 and from 1 to 31 October 2025.
Hanns Seidel Foundation
The CSU-affiliated foundation currently has 1,200 scholarship holders. The age limit for applicants is 45 years.
The next application window is open from 15 June 2025 to 15 July 2025.
Heinrich Böll Foundation
The foundation, which is close to the Green Party, currently has 1,650 scholarship holders. In addition to the usual requirements for applying for a scholarship, the foundation emphasises intercultural competence, gender sensitisation and creativity, among other things.
The application window is open from 15 January to 1 March 2025.
Konrad Adenauer Foundation
The CDU-affiliated foundation currently has 3,000 scholarship holders. In addition to very good academic achievements, a commitment in the political, social, church or cultural field is desirable. The application deadlines are 15 January and 15 July 2025.
Rosa Luxemburg Foundation
The foundation, which has close links to the left, currently has 1,300 scholarship holders. Preference is given to women, the socially disadvantaged and people with disabilities with comparable achievements and commitment.
The application deadline is 1 October 2025.
Independent foundations
Study Foundation of the German People
With currently 15,300 scholarship holders, the Studienstiftung is the largest scholarship organisation for gifted students in Germany. It is politically, denominationally and ideologically independent. The foundation focusses on very good academic achievements. Special features of this foundation: You can either apply yourself or be nominated by a university lecturer or the examinations office.
Application window for self-application/registration for participation in the selection test: 9 January to 13 February 2025
Max Weber Programme
The Max Weber Programme is a scholarship programme for gifted students that is aimed exclusively at students at Bavarian colleges and universities. As this programme is part of the German National Academic Foundation, the two funding programmes can be combined. Here too, you can either apply yourself or be nominated by a university lecturer or the examinations office. Students on full-time and dual study programmes are eligible for funding. The age limit is 22 and the application window opens on 1 November 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026.
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Entrepreneurially orientated foundation
Foundation of German Business
The Foundation of German Business currently has 2,000 scholarship holders. Full-time students with very good academic achievements, social commitment, determination, social skills and a good general education are eligible to apply. The application window is open from 13 January to 17 March 2025.
Support from Arbeiterkind
Arbeiterkind.de is a non-profit organisation that advises students from non-academic families on all aspects of studying. It is all about exchange, equal opportunities and networking. The 80 local groups offer open meetings, consultation hours and individual mentoring programmes.
https://arbeiterkind.de/
Specific scholarships
Advancement scholarship - the scholarship for experienced professionals
The advancement scholarship is aimed at students who have completed vocational training and have at least 24 months of work experience. Further application criteria are: a very good final grade or a strong letter of recommendation from the employer or a nationally won professional achievement competition. The programme, which is offered by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, supports students in both full-time and part-time study programmes. The application window closes on 2 December 2024.
Oskar Karl Forster Scholarship
The learning grant is aimed at students from the 2nd semester onwards. It is paid out once to needy students with good grades. The Central Student Counselling & Career Service will check whether the student is in need. This check is not necessary for BAföG recipients. The application window is open from 15 March to 15 May 2025.
The application forms, the privacy policy and the guidelines can be found here.
Our liaison lecturers and alumni/ae
Prof Dr Stefan Borrmann
Liaison lecturer of the Hans Böckler Foundation.
Please contact him if you have any questions about the Foundation's expert reports and selection interviews.
Prof Dr Hannah Jörg
Liaison lecturer of the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
Please contact her if you have any questions about the Foundation's expert reports and selection interviews.
Prof Dr Matthias Laub
Liaison lecturer of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
Please contact him if you have any questions about the Foundation's expert reports and selection interviews.
Prof Dr Markus Schmitt
Liaison lecturer of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation.
Please contact him if you have any questions about the Foundation's expert reports and selection interviews.
Prof Dr Patrick Dies
Alumnus of the German National Academic Foundation.
Prof Dr Konstantin Ziegler
Alumnus of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes.