If you plan to study in Germany with financial support, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship is one of the best opportunities for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs across a wide range of fields. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.

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The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation Scholarship 2026-2027 is offered for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Germany. This scholarship will cover a monthly basic stipend of up to 1,500 euros, health insurance expenses, and, where applicable, family and baby allowances.

This scholarship is awarded to up to 40 excellent students and includes a comprehensive seminar program to help enhance the candidates’ social competencies and academic skills. Students in any subject region are qualified to apply if they show outstanding academic or artistic merit, wish to study in Germany, and are dedicated to the principles of social democracy.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, Diploma
• Institution(s): Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
• Study Destination: Germany
• Opportunity Focus Areas: Many courses are supported, but not pure study abroad programs outside the EU
• Program Period: The maximum funding period corresponds to BAföG regulations
• Number of Scholarships: Up to 40

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarships Application Deadline

The application deadline for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarships depends on the program:

• Masters: May 31, 2026, for summer semester / November 30, 2026, for winter semester
• Bachelor’s/Diploma/Magister students as well as students aiming for a state examination: After the 1st semester and later, up to 3 semesters before the end of the standard period of study
• Medical students: After the 4th semester or after physics until the end of the 6th semester
• PhD students: At any time

Scholarship Coverage

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Scholarships provide the recipients with the following benefits:

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• A monthly Stipend of EUR 750 in a Bachelor’s, Diploma, Magister, or state examination program
• The financial grant amounts to 992 euros for master’s students. Health insurance costs are covered. Scholarship recipients with children receive an additional 160 euros per month.
• Doctoral scholarship recipients for international students receive 1,500 euros per month and a subsidy for statutory health insurance.
• Costs for health insurance are funded, and scholars with a child receive a family allowance of EUR 276.

Eligibility Criteria for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarships

To be eligible for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Required Languages: English / German
• Eligible Countries: Gifted students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe
• The candidates’ aptitudes and personalities show excellent promise for an academic or professional career, particularly in fields that are in demand in Germany, such as engineering, technology, and the sciences.
• Admission to study or enrolment at a state or state-recognized higher-education institution in Germany
• Sufficient knowledge of German, although the courses are held in English. This means a ‘Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang’ of at least DSH level 2, a ‘Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache’ of at least level 4, or a ‘Zertifikat C1’ by a Goethe Institute
• Candidates are expected to show commitment to the values of social democracy, which includes promoting equality, social justice, and active participation in democratic processes.
• Above-average performance in school and studies
• Personality: We are looking for applicants who possess the following qualities:
  • Political thinking
  • Thirst for knowledge
  • Tolerance and openness
  • Team orientation
  • Critical ability
  • Self-reflection

How to Apply for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarships?

Please follow the application instructions below to avail this scholarship:

See also Macquarie University Scholarship 2026 (Application Process)

(1) Simply fill out our online application. We will ask you a few questions about your professional and family background—no further documents are required. If you feel unsure or need to talk to us before applying, you can contact our approximately 480 trusted lecturers. (Note: Please note the deadlines and dates!) You can get a sample here:

• Sample application form for basic funding for first-year students (not for master’s students)
• Sample application form for basic funding for Germans, foreign students, and refugees
• Sample application form for basic funding for foreigners
• Sample application form for doctoral funding for Germans, foreign students, and refugees
• Sample application form for doctoral funding for foreigners

(2) If you are eligible for a scholarship, we will request further documents from you by email: two expert reports from university professors, as well as information about your previous  education and your socio-political commitment. First-year students (not master’s students) in their first university semester submit two reports from former teachers.

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You have three weeks to upload the documents upon our request. If necessary, you have six weeks to submit the reports after consulting with us. We advise you to put the documents together while you wait for our response.

You can find a list of the required documents as well as instructions for preparing reports in the following PDF downloads:

• First-year students (not master’s students): Information sheet for applications, Basic funding for first-year students at the beginning of the 1st university semester (Germans, foreign students, and refugees); Reports from high school teachers or vocational school teachers 
• Basic funding: Information sheet for applications for basic funding (Germans, foreign students, and refugees who are not first-year students or nationals and foreigners after the 1st semester); Reports from university professors
• Doctoral funding: Information sheet for applications for doctoral funding (Germans, foreigners, and foreigners); A report from the supervisor of your dissertation, as well as another expert report from a second university professor

(3) The documents will be carefully reviewed. If everything checks out, we would like to meet you in person. We invite you to a subject-related interview with a faculty advisor. We will prepare an expert opinion based on this interview and include it with your application documents. Here you will find tips on how to prepare for the conversation. You will then receive either a rejection from us or notification that your application documents have been forwarded to a member of the selection committee. Should you receive an interview invitation and incur travel expenses, we offer reimbursement. Please send us the relevant form.

(4) If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview with a member of our selection committee. This person will prepare a further report, which will be included with your application documents and presented at the selection committee meeting. You can find information on how to prepare for this selection interview here. Should you receive an interview invitation and incur travel expenses, we will provide reimbursement. Please send us the relevant form.

(5) Once we have received the two expert reports from the interviews, your application will be presented in detail to the selection committee at the relevant meeting. The committee members will then decide on your acceptance into the program. The selection committee meets eight to ten times a year. We will notify you of the final decision, either accepting or rejecting your application, no later than one week after the meeting.

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Website

To learn more about Friedrich Ebert Stiftung scholarships, please visit the official website: