Great news—applications for the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship are now open. In this article, we’ll outline the scholarship details, its benefits, and the step-by-step application procedure.

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Germany. The scholarship provides a monthly allowance of up to EUR 850, health insurance coverage, and, if applicable, family and childcare allowances.

Each year, up to 40 outstanding students are awarded this scholarship, which also includes a seminar program designed to strengthen academic expertise and social skills. Students from all subject areas are eligible, provided they demonstrate strong academic performance, plan to study in Germany, and are committed to the values of social democracy.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD, Diploma

• Institution(s): Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

• Study in: 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

• Deadline:

  • Masters: April 30, 2025, for summer semester / October 31, 2025, for winter semester

  • Bachelor / 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 the 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:

• A monthly Stipend of EUR 750 in a Bachelor’s, Diploma, Magister, or state examination program

• A monthly Stipend of EUR 850 for a Master’s course.

• Costs for health insurance are funded and scholars with a child receive a family allowance of EUR 276.

• The scholarship does not have to be repaid.

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.

• 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 C 1’ by a Goethe Institute

• Candidates are expected to show commitment to the values of social democracy.

• Above-average performance in school and studies

• Personality – we are looking for applicants with the following:

  • 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 following application instructions to avail this scholarship:

(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.

You have three weeks to upload the documents upon our request. For the reports, if necessary after consultation with us, six weeks. 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); Report from the supervisor of your dissertation as well as another expert report from a second university professor

(3) If you are shortlisted, we would also like to get to know you personally. We invite you to two interviews: with a trusted lecturer from your department and with a member of our selection committee. Tips for preparing for the selection interviews can be found here. The list of all liaison lecturers and selection committee members of the FES study funding can be found in the FES annual report, which is updated at the beginning of each year and published on the FES homepage.

(4) The selection committee makes the final decision about acceptance into one of our programs. The committee meets several times a year.

Website

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

Official Website