Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for International Students

A monthly scholarship: €992 a month for non-EU master's students, plus some individual allowances and possibly health insurance. Tuition fees are covered only in certain cases.

• Your first degree (for a master's) or graduate degree (for a PhD) must be from a university outside Germany.
• You must apply before your master's in Germany starts; PhD applicants need proof of admission to doctoral studies (or a supervisor's confirmation).
• You must study full-time at a state or state-recognised university in Germany, and master's programmes must last at least four semesters.
• You need a certificate showing German at B2 or DSH 1 level.
• You need a very good academic record, social commitment and political interest.
• Priority goes to applicants from DAC-list countries who don't yet live in Germany.
• If you were rejected after the third (final) selection stage, you can't reapply.

For international students whose previous degree is from abroad and who want to start a master's or PhD at a state or state-recognised German university. Priority goes to applicants from developing (DAC-list) countries who don't yet live in Germany. You need German at B2/DSH 1 level, strong grades, and social commitment and political interest (it's the political foundation linked to Germany's Green Party).

1. 1

   Step 1: Check timing and requirements

   Make sure you can apply before your master's starts (or have PhD admission) and that you have your German certificate.

2. 2

   Step 2: Arrange references early

   Ask one person for a reference on your social commitment and a university lecturer for an expert report (two expert reports for a PhD), using the foundation's forms. These must be different people.

3. 3

   Step 3: Register on the portal

   The online portal opens about six weeks before each deadline (15 January for the 1 March 2027 round).

4. 4

   Step 4: Submit a complete application

   Fill in the PDF application form in Adobe Acrobat Reader, upload all documents and submit by 1 March or 1 September. Incomplete applications aren't processed.

5. 5

   Step 5: Interview with a liaison lecturer

   If you pass the written stage, you have an interview of about an hour with a liaison lecturer, usually by mid-May or mid-November.

6. 6

   Step 6: Final committee interview

   Shortlisted applicants have a digital interview with a selection committee. Awards are announced in June/July (March round) or January/February (September round).

• Application form (foundation's PDF form)
• University entrance qualification (master's applicants)
• Degree certificate and transcript, with translation if needed
• Enrolment certificate or proof of admission (can follow later)
• Proof of German at B2 or DSH 1
• Reference on social commitment (foundation's form)
• Expert report from a university lecturer (two for a PhD)
• Research exposé, max. 10 pages (PhD only)

Deadline

The next deadline is 1 March 2027 (portal open 15 January–1 March 2027), followed by 1 September 2027 (portal open from 15 July 2027).

Two rounds a year: the portal usually opens in mid-January with a 1 March deadline, and in mid-July with a 1 September deadline. You must apply before your master's or PhD starts.