GGerman Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) with private funders, awarded through participating universities
Partially funded
Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)
German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) with private funders, awarded through participating universities, Germany
Scholarship overview
The Deutschlandstipendium is a national merit scholarship that supports talented and committed students at state and state-recognised universities in Germany. It has been funded since the summer semester 2011. Half of the money comes from the federal government and half from private funders such as companies, foundations and alumni.
Students of all nationalities and all fields of study can apply, including international degree students and students with a refugee background. Universities receive federal support to find private funders, select scholarship holders and manage payments, so applications go to the university, not to a central national office.
Achievement is defined broadly. Good grades count, but so do social engagement, willingness to take on responsibility and overcoming obstacles in one's life or education, such as flight or political persecution.
How recipients are selected
- A selection committee at the university decides; private funders may take part in an advisory role.
- Criteria include academic performance, awards, prior work and internships, extracurricular engagement and personal or background obstacles.
- There is no legal right to the scholarship.
- For restricted-admission programmes, selection may take place after admission.
Award Information
- Students of all nationalities and all fields of study can apply.
- Be enrolled at a state or state-recognised university in Germany that takes part in the programme, or be a prospective student awaiting admission.
- Eligible programmes include bachelor's and master's degrees, second degrees, supplementary studies, part-time studies and dual (work-integrated) studies.
- Each university sets its own entry requirements and procedure.
- Not eligible: doctoral candidates, students at federal universities, and students at administrative universities who receive trainee pay.
- A full DAAD scholarship excludes the Deutschlandstipendium; a partial DAAD scholarship can be combined with it.
- Other merit-based material support averaging EUR 30 or more per month generally rules out the scholarship, and other scholarships count only if combined they exceed an average of EUR 300 per month.
- EUR 300 per month: EUR 150 from the federal government and EUR 150 from private funders. If a funder gives more than EUR 150, the student receives the extra on top of EUR 300.
- Paid by the university directly to the student, regardless of income, and does not have to be repaid.
- Can be combined with BAföG and does not reduce it.
- Awarded for at least two semesters and up to the end of the standard period of study; the university reviews eligibility after each year.
- Payments continue during a mandatory internship or a field-related stay abroad, including Erasmus+. Leave for personal reasons pauses payments and extends the funding period.
- Generally not taxable and not subject to social insurance contributions. Half is counted when calculating housing benefit (Wohngeld).
There is no single national deadline. Each participating university sets its own application period and procedure, so check with your university.
- Check on the interactive map of participating universities whether your university offers the Deutschlandstipendium.
- Ask the university about its entry requirements and application procedure.
- Submit the application with the required documents to your university.
- Moving from bachelor's to master's usually requires a new application, unless your university has a transition process.
Official links
