Scholarship Programme & Internships

The promotion of young talent has been one of the founding principles of FES. The first scholarships were awarded to particularly talented young individuals from a working class milieu who were taking an active part in the young democracy of the Weimar Republic.

For FES therefore, it is not only the applicants' academic achievement but also their social and political involvement and their personal aspirations that play an important part in the selection process.

Currently  2.620 students and postgraduates receive a grant from FES.

International Students

FES supports foreign applicants who are already studying, or doing their postgraduate studies in Germany at the time of application. Up to 40 scholarships to students from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe are awarded annually.

Eligibility Criteria

FES supports

• All fields of study, including artistic degree courses
• First degree courses Bachelor’s/diplomas/state examinations
• Master’s/postgraduate programmes
• Doctoral degrees.

FES does not support

• Second degree courses
• Study visits outside Germany
• Final phases of academic studies
• Postgraduate courses in medicine.

What are the benefits and expectations

Benefits:
Foreign scholarship holders receive:

• Monthly stipends of EUR 750 for undergraduates and EUR 850 for Master’s students.
• Coverage of health insurance costs.
• A family allowance of EUR 276 for scholars with children
• Any income exceeding EUR 400 per month will be credited against the scholarship.

Expectations:
FES expects scholarship holders:

• Enrollment at a state or state-recognized university, higher education institution or university of applied sciences
• Proof of sufficient German language skills (language proficiency certificate C 1, TestDAF)
• Good performance in school or with course of studies
• Socio-political commitment
• Identification with the fundamental values of social democracy.

Time of application

Please note that the FES can only award scholarships to applicants from abroad who have already enrolled in a German university or have a supervisor for their doctoral studies.

At the time of application, foreign students should be able to submit proof of their initial academic achievements/marks with the exception of those enrolled in Master or other postgraduate programmes.

The application deadlines for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung scholarships depend on the type of programme and the status of the applicant. Here you will find an overview of the most important deadlines for basic funding (undergraduate, Master's and others, the deadlines for PhD students differ from this):

• First-Year Students: Apply before or at the beginning of the first university semester. For the winter semester, the deadline is October 31st, 2024, and for the summer semester, it’s April 30, 2024.
• Master’s Students: Same as first-year students, with deadlines on October 31, 2024 for the winter semester and April 30, 2024 for the summer semester.
• Bachelor/Diploma/Magister/State Examination Students: Application must be made after the 1st semester and at least up to 3 semesters before the end of the standard period of study.
• Medical Students: After the 4th semester or after the physics exam until the end of the 6th semester.

Since foreign scholarship holders will receive an extensive social and political side programme, German language proficiency is crucial even when the study programme itself (M/B) is carried out in English.

Steps of application

Duration of application process:

• 4-7 months

Mode of application:

1. Self-application
   Start by filling out the online application on the FES website. Please use the "Online-Bewerbung" on the Internet – in German only!
2. Additional Required Documents
   If your application progresses, you’ll be asked to submit further documentation, such as expert reports from teachers or professors.
3. Interviews
   Shortlisted candidates will undergo two interviews; one with a trusted lecturer and another with a member of the FES scholarship selection committee.
4. Decision
   Decision: The selection committee (AWA) meets regularly (about three to four times a year) to select the scholarship holders.
   You will be notified of the AWA's decision.

For further and more detailed information please click on the link below!

Q & A to the Scholarship Programme of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (English)