Scholarships and Funding

There are several options for funding during the studies in Germany. Our scholarship list (see link at the bottom of this page) provides a general overview about the most common options for PhD candidates. Although the listed scholarships are provided by different institutions and foundations, the general requirements in most programmes include:

• Admission to a PhD programme at a German University
• Above average academic results in previous studies
• Social/ political commitment
• Knowledge of German (levels vary, in some cases a language test is required)
• Completion of previous studies enabling the candidate to pursue a PhD

Similarly, the requested documents for most scholarship applications usually include:

• CV with photograph
• Letters of recommendation
• Transcript and certificates of previous studies
• Letters of acceptance/admission provided by host university
• In some cases letters of acceptance/ approval by future supervisor
• Proof of language proficiency
• Well developed research-project and working plan for the funding period

As additional documents might be required and conditions may vary with different institutions, it is advisable to establish direct contact with the grant institutions earlier in order to clear doubts and clarify questions.

Usually documents are to be translated into German, in some cases English application documents will be accepted.

Most funding options are open to German and foreign PhD candidates. However, in most cases foreign students will not be funded abroad.

Given the early application deadlines most scholarships have, candidates are advised to either secure their funding ahead, or at the least, secure the funding for the first semester.

Furthermore, to secure funding for the requested study period is an important requirement for the approval of study visas for those candidates who require them. Some guidance and assistance with the application process to scholarships is possible but the application process is individual and it cannot be done with intermediation of the university. Candidates alone are responsible for their own application for funding.

It should be noted that most of the German scholarships available provide funding for living expenses but no tuition fees.

For further information regarding funding, candidates are advised to visit the German (and British) diplomatic and cultural representations in their home countries, as many funding options are region/nation targeted and thus, conditions and possibilities may vary from one country to the next.  Similarly, the following websites, which provide guidance and program as well as nation specific funding options:

http://www.scholars4dev.com/category/country/europe-scholarships/germany-scholarships/

http://www.stipendienlotse.de/index.php?DS=103

http://www.findaphd.com/student/funding/funding-1.asp

http://www.sff.uni-siegen.de/stipendien/

http://www.uni-siegen.de/phil/forschung/promotion/finanzierung.html.en?lang=en