FFriedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Partially funded
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Scholarships for International Students in Germany
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Germany
Scholarship overview
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Germany's oldest political foundation and close to social democracy, funds students and doctoral candidates in all fields, including artistic degrees. International students from non-EU countries are funded with money from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Foreign students must already be studying in Germany when they apply, and applications must be submitted in German. The foundation gives priority to women, STEM students, students at universities of applied sciences, first-generation students and students from immigrant families.
Award Information
- Foreign applicant living in Germany and enrolled at a recognised German university or university of applied sciences when applying.
- Very good German: the application has to be in German and proof of German skills is expected.
- Good academic performance, socio-political commitment and identification with the values of social democracy.
- Timing: diploma, Magister or state exam by the end of the 6th semester; bachelor's up to three semesters before the end of the standard period of study (for example by the end of the 3rd semester of a 6-semester course); master's and postgraduate by the end of the 1st semester. Bachelor's applicants submit their first graded records.
- Not funded: studies shorter than 3 semesters, university preparatory and language courses, second degrees (unless already an FES scholar), medicine up to the preliminary exam and medical doctorates, part-time or extra-occupational study, study abroad outside the EU, short stays abroad, research visits, trainee programmes, project proposals, postdoctoral projects, psychotherapist and physiotherapist training, and the final stages of a degree or doctorate.
- Foreign students: EUR 992 per month. Foreign postgraduates and doctoral candidates: EUR 1,500 per month (2026).
- Family allowance of EUR 276 per month, if applicable.
- Refund of health insurance costs, up to EUR 100 per month for graduate students and up to EUR 200 per month for doctoral candidates.
- Optional components depending on circumstances: reimbursement of tuition fees in Germany up to EUR 10,000 per year, tuition for German language courses, a fixed fringe benefit of EUR 38 per month, child allowances.
- Income above the marginal-employment limit (EUR 400 per month on the English page) is deducted from the scholarship.
- Parts of a degree can be completed abroad if academically necessary, with no additional funding.
Application windows depend on the programme and study stage (see eligibility). Apply as early as possible. The process from application to decision takes three to seven months.
- Submit the online application form covering personal details, background, motivation and civic engagement. FES responds within two to four weeks with a rejection or a request for documents.
- Send documents within three weeks and the two reports within six weeks.
- First selection interview with a trusted lecturer (Vertrauensdozent/in), who writes a report.
- Second interview with a selection committee member, for shortlisted applicants only.
- The selection committee decides (it meets eight to ten times a year); you are notified within one week of the meeting. Travel costs of interviews can be reimbursed.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Detailed CV including education and civic engagement.
- Certificates, university entrance qualification and enrolment certificate.
- Detailed motivation letter.
- Two reports from university lecturers (students and doctoral candidates).
How selection works
- Academic results, socio-political engagement and identification with social-democratic values are assessed.
- Priority: first-generation students, people with a migration background, women, students at universities of applied sciences, STEM students.
- Stages: online form, document review, interview with a trusted lecturer, interview with a committee member, committee decision.
Contact: [email protected]; surnames A-N Elisabeth Schulze Horn, +49 228 883-7932; surnames O-Z Rebecca Schmitz, +49 228 883-7967.
