Scholarships for International Students in Germany 2026

Overview

Germany offers generous funding options for international students, especially at the graduate level. Combined with tuition-free public universities, scholarships can often cover living costs and make a German degree almost free for top applicants.

DAAD Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest scholarship provider for international students in Germany. Programs cover bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels, and typically provide €861-€1,300/month plus health insurance and travel. Applications open 12-18 months before program start.

Deutschlandstipendium

A merit-based scholarship worth €300/month (€150 federal + €150 private sponsor). Available at participating German universities for students with outstanding academic records. Apply directly through your chosen university.

Erasmus+

EU-funded program supporting student mobility across Europe. Worth €300-€600/month depending on destination country. Available to both EU and non-EU students enrolled at European partner institutions.

Political Foundation Scholarships

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and others offer fully-funded scholarships to politically engaged students. Typically €850-€1,200/month.

University-Specific Awards

Most German universities offer their own scholarships for international students. TU Munich, LMU, Heidelberg, and others have program-specific funding.

How to Apply

Start applications 12-18 months early. Most scholarships require: academic transcripts, language proficiency (German and/or English), motivation letter, recommendation letters, and a research/study proposal. Browse our scholarship database for more options.

Next Steps

Use our comparison tool to evaluate schools side-by-side, try our admissions calculator to estimate your chances, or browse scholarships to find funding opportunities.