Scholarship Programme & Internships

The promotion of young talent has been one of the founding principles of the 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 the FES therefore, it is not only the applicants' academic achievement but also their social and political involvement and their personal attitudes that play an important part in the selection process.

In 2024 about 2.700 students and postgraduates will receive a grant from FES.

International Students

The FES also 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 with the exception of those who are already receiving some support from public sources.

Eligibility Criteria

The FES supports

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

The 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:

• Enrolment at a state or state-recognised university, higher education institution or university of applied sciences
• Proof of sufficient German language skills
• 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.

Students are expected to be living in Germany before they apply and have to provide proof of an adequate command of the German language by submitting a language proficiency certificate (C 1, TestDAF).

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.

The Procedure

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.

Above we have posted some information about the FES scholarships, for further and more detailed information please click on the link below!

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

Our office welcomes students, current graduates and post-graduate students to apply for an internship at FES Jakarta. A study background in Political science, International Relations, Sociology, Law, Economics, or/and South-East-Asian studies has proven to be the most advantageous.

Applicants should fulfil the following requirements:

• Be in their advanced study period, i.e. have at least completed a BA degree,
• Be fluent in English, and possess excellent writing skills,
• Should have stayed before in Indonesia (more than for holidays)
• Should be able to communicate and read in Bahasa Indonesia
• Have a sufficient level of medical fitness to work in a (sub-) tropical country.

The following experiences/ skills are an asset:

• Experiences in international cooperation/ development cooperation,
• strong knowledge about and/ or work experience with trade unions, political parties and/ or in the field of
• Social security, Urban Development Planning as well as Sustainable development
• (work & study) experience abroad; especially in Indonesia
• Social engagement

Preparations:

Application of visa has to follow the regulation of the Government of Indonesia through its Embassies and Consulates. FES Jakarta can also give you information on that.

Health: For recommendations and immunization requirements, please refer to the federal foreign office: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/de/Laenderinformationen/Indonesien/Sicherheitshinweise.html

Due to visa regulations we can only offer internships with duration of three months. In special cases we can offer internships with a longer duration, however, the prospective intern would have to leave the country once the visa is about to expire in order to obtain a new one. Extensions from within the country are not possible.

The ideal candidate would thus already have a profound study interest in a specific aspect of current political developments in Indonesia. In the past, the hosting of students who are writing their master thesis or dissertation and who would like to embed their private research in a practical setting has proven to be highly beneficial for both sides.

We ask all suitable applicants to submit all of the following information: 

• CV
• Letter of motivation, including:
  • academic fields of interest related to the work of FES Indonesia
  • envisaged commencement date and duration of internship

Please bear in mind that we receive a lot of applications for internships. Hence, we cannot grant an internship to all applicants. The rule of thumb is: The earlier you apply and the more identifiable your motivation and topical interests are, the bigger your chances.

Please submit your application via e-mail to Mrs.Endah Yuliani: endah.yuliani(at)fes.de

The FES Indonesia offers twice a year fellowship opportunities to advanced Indonesian students of political and social science (October – December/ March – May). The duration of fellowship should be 6 - 12 weeks. Applications can be submitted at any time to the following email address: endah.yuliani(at)fes.de
(It is possible for fellows of FES to receive a small transportation allowance, but no honorarium)

Requirements:

• Fluent in English language and writing
• Interest in socio-economic and international politics
• Adaptibility and teamwork capacity
• Advanced study period (min. 7th term)

Application in English should include: 

• Curriculum vitae with photograph and contact details
• Letter of motivation (with explanation of interest, duration of fellowship, etc.)
• Certificates, proof of competence (foreign languages, etc.)

Reporting:
Fellows of FES are expected to write a short report on what he/she has done during the fellowship. Besides, the report should include an evaluation of fellows on the activities that they have participated in.