KKonrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
Partially funded
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung International Scholarship Programme (Bachelor, Master and PhD in Germany)
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Germany
Scholarship overview
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) International Scholarship Programme funds non-EU students and doctoral candidates who study or do a doctorate at a German university. It is financed with funds of the German Federal Foreign Office and aims to train outstanding young people from abroad as multipliers and bridge builders to their home countries.
Universities of applied sciences are included. All subjects are funded except human medicine, state-exam dentistry and medical specialisation programmes. Besides the monthly stipend, scholars join a non-material programme of personal mentoring, seminars and local university groups.
Applicants who live in Germany apply through the domestic selection. Applicants living in their home country or region can apply through a KAS office abroad; the offices that run selections change every year.
Award Information
- Non-EU international student or doctoral candidate who will study or do a doctorate at a university in Germany. German nationals are not eligible.
- At the time of application you have not spent more than 15 months in Germany. Exceptions are possible for people who came to Germany for study, a doctorate or other academic work.
- Master's and PhD applicants already hold a first degree, which should have been completed no more than 5 years before applying.
- Bachelor's applicants must have completed at least two semesters at a German university and apply from the second semester on.
- At least four semesters of standard study time remain in Germany (bachelor's applicants count a following master's). PhD candidates should have six semesters of their research ahead and be fully admitted to a doctoral programme. English-language doctorates are accepted.
- Master's applicants intend to enrol in a four-semester MA programme. Three-semester programmes (for example some LL.M. degrees) are generally not eligible.
- German at CEFR B2 or higher (for example a Goethe-Institut certificate), required even for English-taught programmes. Most scholars pass the DSH or reach a high TestDaF score before enrolment.
- Above-average academic performance, commitment to democracy and human rights, voluntary social or political engagement, and closeness to the values of KAS.
- No age limit. Not available for postdoctoral research or as non-financial support only, and no bridge funding for an ending scholarship.
- Bachelor's and master's students: EUR 992 per month (2026 guidelines). Standard funding is two years, granted first for one year and then confirmed after a performance review.
- Doctoral candidates: EUR 1,500 per month under the January 2026 guidelines (the programme page states up to EUR 1,400). Standard funding is three years.
- Family allowance: EUR 276 per month for a spouse who has been in Germany for more than three months. Child allowance: EUR 250 per child (guidelines).
- Health insurance subsidy of up to EUR 120 per month, on request.
- Tuition fees: up to EUR 750 per semester in exceptional cases only. Enrolment and re-registration fees, semester tickets and student union fees are not covered.
- Further on request: interest-free loan for a rental deposit, rent support in special cases, travel for study and research trips, German course subsidy up to six months, printing costs for the doctorate.
- Side income above EUR 603 gross per month is offset against the stipend. Up to 40 hours a month are allowed in work related to your studies or 30 hours in unrelated work.
- Non-material support: seminar programme, personal mentoring, local KAS university group and a worldwide alumni network.
Domestic selection (applying from within Germany): 15 July each year, 12:00 noon CET (most recent cycle: 15 July 2026). Selection through KAS offices abroad follows separate dates; the 2026 interviews listed were in Buenos Aires (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay) and Nairobi (Kenya, Uganda/South Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, May 2026).
- Check that you meet all mandatory requirements, including the 15-month and B2 German rules.
- Choose the route: domestic selection if you live in Germany, or a KAS office abroad if one runs a selection for your country.
- Register on the KAS Campus portal and upload all documents as PDF or JPEG files. Postal or email applications are not accepted for the domestic route.
- KAS makes a preselection from complete applications and invites shortlisted candidates to a selection conference.
- Attend the interview of about 45 minutes with an independent selection committee (online interviews can replace the conference).
Official links
Documents you will need
- Tabular CV and motivation letter.
- Copies of examination certificates, with German translation if not in English.
- Transcripts of the university attended so far (graded and ungraded).
- Proof of German at B2 or higher.
- Academic reference from a professor or doctoral-level academic staff member, not older than two months.
- Letter of acceptance or enrolment certificate of a German university (can be submitted later).
- PhD applicants: dissertation exposé of four to five pages in German or English, plus a second academic reference from the supervisor, which replaces the personality reference.
How selection works
- Academic ability: subject qualification, good to very good study results, German at B2 or above, general education and curiosity.
- Values and responsibility: closeness to KAS values, tolerance, independent thinking.
- Voluntary and political engagement, including artistic or scholarly achievements.
- Personality: motivation, potential, presence and social skills.
- Selection is personal, not project-based. Candidates can be deferred if close to the requirements, for example if German is not yet at the required level.
