Foundations

The foundations below are publicly funded by the German government. Unlike BAföG, the German government's direct grant and loan program, the scholarships offered by these foundations are selective and awarded according to academic excellence and profile fit with each foundation's mission. Due to their public funding, most foundations require applicants to meet BAföG eligibility criteria in addition to scholarship-specific profile requirements. 

Political Party Foundations

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (SDP)

• Eligibility: Must show socio-political commitment and identification with the values of social democracy. International students may only apply after one semester of university level study and must demonstrate C1 German skills.

• Award: up to €934/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants.

To learn more about support for German students and/or students with refugee status in Germany from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, visit this page (external link). 

To learn more about support for international students, visit this page (external link). 

Heinrich Böll Stiftung (Bündnis '90/Die Grüne)

• Eligibility: German nationals as well as applicants fulfilling criteria of § 8 BAföG.  Alignment with the values of the funding organization.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants.

To learn more about support from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, visit this page (external link). 

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (CDU)

• Eligibility: Prospective or current German undergraduate students, as well as applicants fulfilling criteria of § 8 BAföG, who have an excellent academic record and an interest in social and political engagement and the furtherance of Christian-democratic values. Non-German applicants must demonstrate B2 German skills.

• Award: up to €992/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants.

To learn more about funding from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, visit this page (external link). 

Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (Die Linke)

• Eligibility: German undergraduate students with an excellent academic record and a proven record of social engagement in accordance with the aims of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. Qualified applicants will fulfill the criteria of § 8 BAföG, have completed their first semester of bachelor-level study, and must demonstrate B2 German skills.

• Award: up to €992/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants.

To learn more about funding from the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, visit this page (external link). 

Religious Foundations

Avicenna Studienwerk

• Eligibility: Members of Islamic faith and meet §8 BAföG requirements. Non-German nationals must demonstrate C1 German skills.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants.

To learn more about funding from the Avicenna Studienwerk, visit this page (external link).

Cusanuswerk

• Eligibility: Members of Catholic faith with a strong academic profile and voluntary engagement. Applicants must meet the conditions of § 8 Abs. 1-3 BAföG. Non-German nationals must demonstrate C1 German skills.

• Award: Up to €992/month (guaranteed 300 EUR/month), with the possibility of additional payments

To learn more about funding from the Cusanuswerk, visit this page (external link).

Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst

• Eligibility: Members of Protestant faith with a strong academic profile and voluntary engagement. Must meet §8 BAföG requirements. Non-German nationals must demonstrate C1 German skills.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants. 

To learn more about funding from the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, visit this page (external link).

Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Stipendiumsnetzwerk

• Eligibility: Members of Jewish faith. German citizenship, EU citizenship, or qualified applicant according to §8 BAföG. Non-German applicants must demonstrate B2 German language skills.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants.

To learn more about the Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Stipendiumsnetzwerk, please visit this page (external link).

Other Public Foundations

Friedrich Naumann Stiftung

• Eligibility: Applicants must meet §8 BAföG requirements and should demonstrate engagement for liberal values and open society.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus the possibility for additional financial benefits, for the duration of regular degree program duration.

More information about scholarships from the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung can be found on their website (external link). 

Hans Böckler Stiftung

• Eligibility: Applicants must be BAföG eligible (see criteria of § 8 BAföG) and demonstrate active involvement in labor unions, politics, and/or community service. Non-German nationals will need to demonstrate C1 German skills.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants.

For more information about the scholarship from the Hans Böckler Stiftung, please visit this page (external link).

Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft

• Eligibility: Applicants must be BAföG eligible (see criteria of § 8 BAföG) and demonstrate interest in the connection between business, politics, and society as well as a wish to understand the social market economy. Non-German nationals will need to demonstrate C1 German skills.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants. Participation in seminars, working groups, and retreats.

For more information about the scholarship from the Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft, please visit this page (external link).

Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes

• Eligibility: Applicants must be BAföG eligible (see criteria of § 8 BAföG) and demonstrate academic excellence. German skills will be needed for selection rounds and application. Typically, students starting university must be recommended by their secondary school. However, there is an option to self-nominate, which includes additional steps. Students in their third or fourth semester of university-level study can only be recommended by their university according to the Studienstiftung's selection criteria.

• Award: up to €855/month, plus possibility to apply for additional benefits. All benefits are granted as non-repayable grants. Participation in seminars, working groups, and retreats.

For more information about the scholarship from the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, please visit this page (external link).

The German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst - DAAD) is a public foundation dedicated to supporting students and academics. They manage various programs tailored to different profiles. To learn more about their programs, visit their database (external link).

Eligibility: University students may apply from the first semester of study. International students may also apply with a current enrollment confirmation and proof of basic financial support for the duration of their studies. Applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance and social engagement as well as provide proof that their parents' income is under 5,812eur gross per month (as of 2026).

Award: 220eur/month

To learn more about this scholarship, please visit this page (external link).

Eligibility: Member of the Jewish faith demonstrating financial need.

To learn more about scholarships from the Szloma Albam Stiftung, please visit this page (external link).