Scholarships in Germany for International Students in 2026
- Last updated: 4/10/2026
- Topic: About Studying in Germany
Scholarships in Germany are possible for international students, but they are not guaranteed and often require active research and early preparation. Funding opportunities are offered by government organizations, universities, and private foundations, both in Germany and in students’ home countries. These scholarships may support living expenses or study-related costs, but each has its own eligibility criteria and application process. Students are encouraged to explore available options independently and apply proactively to increase their chances of securing financial support for their studies in Germany.
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What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a grant provided to students to help support them during their studies. There are various types of scholarships such as those that cover the cost of some, or all, tuition fees, and others that help students to cover their cost of living.
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What types scholarships are available?
Scholarships are granted in one of two ways:
- Fully funded: covers complete tuition fees
- Partially funded: covers a part of your tuition fees
In Germany there are various types of scholarship providers. The most well-known of these is the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD. Depending on the institution you attend (Studienkolleg, Hochschule, University etc.) scholarship opportunities vary greatly. Private universities tend to offer more scholarship opportunities than public universities, where scholarships are usually granted from an outside provider.
What scholarships are available for Studienkolleg?
BIC does not currently offer scholarships. In general, due to the short duration of the program, scholarships are not available to students at both public and private Studienkollegs.
In order to compensate for this, students often hold part-time jobs to cover some of their living costs and, in some cases, gain relevant experience in a field they’re interested in. Furthermore, many students attending a Studienkolleg secure student loans and family assistance from their home countries. If you’re interested in finding out about more about scholarships, we highly recommend you visit the German Academic Exchange Service DADD’s website: Scholarships & Funding - DAAD
Top German Scholarships for Studying in Germany
DAAD Scholarships (German Academic Exchange Service):
Coverage: Monthly stipend ~€934–€1,300 (master’s & PhD), travel allowance, health insurance, tuition coverage in some programs.
Requirements: Strong academic record; varies by program; language (English/German) may apply.
Link: https://www.daad.de/en/
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships:
Coverage: ~€850–€1,200/month (depends on degree level).
Requirements: Academic merit; interest in environmental/social justice; volunteer engagement.
Link: https://www.boell.de/en/foundation/scholarships
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarship:
Coverage: ~€850–€1,400/month + networking support.
Requirements: Academic excellence, leadership potential, political/civic engagement.
Link: Home - Scholarship and Culture - Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship:
Coverage: ~€992/month for students; ~€1,400 for PhD + allowances.
Requirements: Social commitment, good grades, values aligned with the foundation.
Link: https://www.fes.de/studienfoerderung
India Specific Scholarships:
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation:
Coverage: Up to ≈ USD 100,000 total to cover tuition, living, travel & basic expenses — usable for postgraduate programmes globally including Europe
Requirements: Indian citizen; admission offer for postgraduate/doctoral study abroad; excellent academic record and clear research/study proposal. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
Link: beststudenthalls.com
JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians:
Coverage: Loan-scholarship support typically ₹1 lakh – ₹10 lakh (~€1,100 – €11,000) and travel grants; can assist Indian students studying abroad including Germany.
Requirements: Indian citizens; postgraduate or doctoral admission abroad; selection based on merit and financial need. (Envision)
Link: https://www.jntataendowment.org/
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS):
Coverage: Tuition, travel, and living support for selected Indian students from specified socio-economic backgrounds to study abroad (including Europe).
Requirements: Indian citizens from reserved categories or economically disadvantaged backgrounds; merit & financial need criteria.
Link: Through the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment portal (search “National Overseas Scholarship India”). 21K School India
Prodigy Finance Scholarship via GyanDhan:
Coverage: Merit-based small scholarship awards (~USD 2,500 / ~₹2 lakh) to Indian students for postgraduate studies abroad, including Germany.
Requirements: Indian citizen; admission to a recognised abroad programme (e.g., Master’s); academic merit & statement of purpose.
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FAQs: Scholarships in Germany
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