German Academic Scholarship Foundation 2026 – Study & Research Opportunities in Germany

If you’re a highly gifted student pursuing your first degree or a consecutive Master’s in Germany—now is your chance!

Applications for the German Academic Scholarship Foundation’s flagship and affiliated programs for 2026 are being finalized. Whether you're completing your bachelor's or a consecutive master’s, or even pursuing doctoral ambitions, the Foundation offers generous funding and unparalleled academic support for dedicated students across disciplines. Read on for details.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Germany (open to students at all officially recognized higher education institutions)

• Sponsor: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation)

• Study Level: Undergraduate (first degree), consecutive Master’s, and Doctoral levels

• Target Group: Exceptionally talented, academically strong, socially committed students—regardless of ideology or background

• Fields of Study: All disciplines

• Value & Coverage:

  • Undergraduate/Master’s: €300/month for study-related costs, plus up to €855/month for living expenses (depending on personal circumstances), including insurance and family allowance

  • Doctoral: Starting October 1, 2025, PhD scholars receive €1,650/month plus €100 research allowance; additional support for those with children or integrating abroad

• Award Duration: Aligned with BAföG maximum funding period for undergraduates and Master’s. Doctoral funding typically spans three years, extendable under certain programs

• Application Deadline:

  • For general scholarship (Bachelor’s & Master’s): Mostly nomination-based or self-nomination in early semesters, with a test in January/February—exact 2026 dates not yet published

  • Some connected programs have defined periods:

    • ERP Fellowship (USA): Applications open July 1 to September 15, 2025 for academic year 2026/2027

    • McCloy Program (Harvard Kennedy School): Applications open August 1 to October 15, 2025 for academic years 2026–2028

• Start Date: Varies by program; general funding begins upon acceptance; ERP and McCloy kick off from the following academic year

🚀 Scholarship Overview

• General (Undergraduate & Master’s)

  • Offers both financial and academic support to full-time students at German institutions; nomination is required either via school/university or early self-nomination (typically in January/February)

  • Selection involves a combination of written tests and selection seminars, evaluating intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, social responsibility, and motivation

• Doctoral Scholarships (General)

  • Available through direct application anytime, ideal for PhD students accepted in German universities

  • Criteria include exceptional research proposals, excellent academic record, and broad extracurricular engagement

• Special Programs

  • ERP Fellowship: Supports Master’s or PhD stages in the USA, with a rich financial package—including USD 2,500/month, tuition grants, and travel support

  • McCloy Scholarship: Two-year Master’s at Harvard Kennedy School, highly prestigious with full coverage, for those aiming for leadership and public policy careers

  • Leo Baeck Fellowship: One-year funding for doctoral research in German-Jewish history and culture, including workshops—deadline for 2025/26 was April 21, 2025

🎁 Benefits

• Financial Benefits:

  • General scholarship: €300/month + up to €855/month for living & insurance; additional support for students with children

  • Doctoral: €1,650/month + €100 research allowance (from Oct 2025); extra aid for families and abroad research

  • ERP: USD 2,500/month, plus tuition, travel grants, start-up and internship provisions

  • McCloy: Full funding covering tuition and associated costs, valued at over USD 170,000 per scholarship

  • Leo Baeck: Monthly €1,650 + €100 research stipend, insurance support, grants for travel and conferences, and up to €10,000 tuition-related support

• Academic & Intellectual Support:

  • Access to interdisciplinary workshops, language courses, academic networks, mentoring by liaison academics, and voluntary seminars

  • Specialized workshops, international networking frameworks (e.g., ERP kick-off events, McCloy alumni networks) and thematic forums like those in Leo Baeck

✅ Eligibility Criteria

1. General Scholarship (Undergraduate/Master’s)

   • Full-time study in Germany at a recognized institution

   • Very good academic performance

   • Intellectual curiosity, engagement, and social responsibility

   • Compatible with BAföG eligibility rules (EU nationals with status, asylum, or permanent residence may qualify)

2. Doctoral Scholarships

   • Accepted into a PhD program at a German university

   • Excellent degree (within ~4 years; exceptions handled case-by-case)

   • Strong research proposal, societal engagement, and academic record

3. ERP Fellowship

   • Bachelor’s or higher (within last 5 years) by Oct 1 deadline

   • Excellent academic record

   • Open to all disciplines except arts

   • Admission to US institution not required at application time

4. McCloy Program

   • Any discipline; recent degree (within 5 years) at application by Nov 1 deadline

   • Strong academic profile, leadership potential, communication skills

   • Applying before Harvard admission accepted

5. Leo Baeck Fellowship

   • Doctoral projects in German-Jewish studies

   • Recent degree (since April 2021) and doctoral acceptance

   • Research alignment and interdisciplinary suitability required

📝 Application Procedure

• General (Bachelor’s/Master’s)

  • Nomination required by school, university, or partner; early semesters may self-nominate + selection test (usually Jan/Feb)

  • If selected, attend selection seminar featuring interviews and group tasks

• Doctoral General

  • Apply anytime with full paper documents including application form, questionnaires, CV, thesis synopsis, exposé, supervisor endorsements—dispatch to Bonn office

• ERP Fellowship

  • Submit during July 1–Sept 15, 2025 period with required forms and project descriptions; contact via email as specified

• McCloy Program

  • Apply August 1–Oct 15, 2025 via email; follow instructions for documents, pre-selection, and subsequent selection seminar

• Leo Baeck Fellowship

  • Submitted by April 21 (2025 for current cycle); includes form, motivation letter, CV, research proposal, schedule, and recommendation letters—email application as single PDF

⭐ Why It Matters

The German Academic Scholarship Foundation is Germany’s oldest and largest foundation dedicated to promoting gifted students—committed to political, religious, and ideological neutrality, making its selection and support uniquely diverse and merit-based . In 2024, it supported around 13,300 students and 1,200 doctoral candidates, drawing from a growing diversity of backgrounds—making it not only competitive (less than 0.6 % of students are selected) but also inclusive .

🔗 Official Link

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