Top Scholarships for International Students in Germany (2026)

Overview

While tuition is free at most German public universities, you still need money for living expenses. Scholarships can help cover these costs. Here are the best options for international students.

1. DAAD Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest funding organization for international academic exchange.

Types of DAAD Scholarships

• Study Scholarships for Graduates: €934/month + travel allowance + insurance
• Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates: €1,200/month
• Short-term Research Grants: For 1-6 months of research
• DAAD-WISE: For Indian engineering students (summer internship)

How to Apply

Visit daad.de/en and search the scholarship database

Check eligibility and deadlines (usually October-November for the following year)

Prepare: CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, recommendation letters

Apply through the DAAD portal

Tips

• Applications are very competitive — strong motivation letter is key
• Use our Motivation Letter tool to draft yours
• Apply to multiple DAAD programs to increase your chances

2. Deutschlandstipendium

The Germany Scholarship is offered by individual universities:

• Amount: €300/month (€150 from federal government + €150 from private sponsors)
• Duration: At least 2 semesters, renewable
• Eligibility: Based on academic merit AND social engagement
• How to apply: Through your university's website (each has its own process)

Tips

• Apply as soon as you're enrolled
• Highlight volunteer work and extracurriculars, not just grades
• Available at most German universities

3. Foundation Scholarships (Begabtenförderungswerke)

Germany has 13 major foundations that offer scholarships:

Political Foundations

Other Major Foundations

How to Apply

• Most require nomination by a professor or self-application
• Strong focus on social engagement and values
• Application includes essays, interviews, and references
• Deadlines vary — check each foundation's website

4. University-Specific Scholarships

Many universities offer their own scholarships:

• Check your university's International Office website
• Look for faculty-specific scholarships
• Some are for specific nationalities or fields of study
• Often less competitive than national scholarships

5. Country-Specific Scholarships

For Indian Students

• DAAD-WISE — summer research internship
• Mpower Financing — student loans without cosigner
• SBI Global Ed-Vantage — education loans

For African Students

• DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship
• African Leadership University scholarships
• KAAD — Catholic Academic Exchange Service

For Latin American Students

• DAAD-ALEARG — for Argentine students
• COLFUTURO — for Colombian students
• CONACYT — for Mexican students

6. Other Funding Options

Working While Studying

• Earn €520/month tax-free with a Minijob
• Werkstudent positions pay €13–20/hour
• HiWi (research assistant) jobs at university

BAföG (for some international students)

• German student financial aid
• Available for EU citizens and some non-EU students with permanent residence
• Half grant, half interest-free loan

Education Loans

• KfW Student Loan — available to international students in some cases
• Prodigy Finance — for Master's students at select universities
• Brain Capital — income share agreement

Application Timeline

Tips for Winning Scholarships

Apply early and to multiple scholarships

Tailor each application — don't use generic motivation letters

Show social engagement — Germans value community involvement

Get strong recommendation letters — from professors who know you well

Proofread everything — spelling mistakes = instant rejection

Use our tools: CV Maker and Motivation Letter to prepare professional applications