Great news for postgraduates! Applications are now open for the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships, offering full financial support for international master’s and PhD students. This article outlines the scholarship benefits, eligibility, and application process.

The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships 2025-2026 provide a monthly allowance of €1,350, plus a €100 research cost subsidy and additional health care support. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the scholarship duration is based on the standard study period (Regelstudienzeit), with possible extensions.

Beyond financial aid, the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung offers a variety of academic and professional development opportunities, including political education events, summer schools, workshops, seminars on research methodology, and training in rhetoric, conflict management, and self-management.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Master’s, PhD
Institution: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
Host Country: Germany
Fields of Study: All fields except Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine
Program Duration: Master’s – up to 3 years; PhD – up to 4 years
Application Deadline: October 1, 2025 (for summer semester start on April 1)

Scholarship Coverage

Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:

For Masters: The monthly basic scholarship consists of 850€ along with a lump sum of 20€. Additional subsidies for health and nursing insurance of no more than 86€ are also available.

For PhD: The doctoral scholarship is largely independent of one’s income and consists of 1350€ per month. Additional lump sum payments of 100€ to cover research costs and further health care subsidies are also available. Scholarship holders can also receive funding to cover stays abroad (for research, attending conferences, etc.).

Euro and German language classes can be sponsored by the organization.

Eligibility Criteria for the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship

To qualify for the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship, the candidate must fulfil all of the following requirements below:

Required Language: Good knowledge of English. German language proficiency (B2 level or above)
Eligible Countries: All world countries. Preference is given to women, students of non-academic and migrant backgrounds, the socially needy, and people with disabilities, with achievement and commitment. Applications from undergraduate and doctoral students from scientific and technical disciplines are actively encouraged, as well as from graduates of technical colleges.
Applications will be accepted only in German or English language
MA Students must be enrolled at a state or state-recognized German university
PhD students must be accepted at a German university
Certificate of enrolment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) for the next semester or at least a letter of admission (Zulassung) from a German university. Your enrolment must be documented at the latest by the time the scholarship would start
Basic knowledge of the German language (further classes can be sponsored by us). At least very good knowledge of the English language
Activities in social, political and/or community services.

The selection criteria are:

High scholarly and professional qualifications (proof of above-average academic achievement at school and/or university)
Political and social engagement in line with the aims of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
German language proficiency (B2 level or above).
Personal/family background

How to Apply for Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship?

Please follow the following instructions to apply for this scholarship:

(1) You can apply for this scholarship through the online application portal.

(2) Create an account and fill out the application form. Also, upload the required documents.

(3) Submit the application.

Website

To learn more about the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship, please visit the official website:

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship and who offers it?

The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship program for international students pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees in Germany. It is offered by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, a political educational institution affiliated with the German political party “Die Linke.” The funding is provided by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt). The scholarship supports academic studies along with political and social engagement aligned with the foundation’s values.

What expenses does the Rosa Luxemburg Scholarship cover?

The scholarship provides different financial coverage based on the academic level:

For Master’s students:
- €850 monthly stipend
- €20 monthly study allowance
- Up to €86 for health and nursing insurance
For PhD students:
- €1,350 monthly stipend
- €100 lump sum for research costs
- Additional health care subsidies
- Extra funding available for international research trips, conferences, and fieldwork
  Language classes and academic training programs are also supported.

Who is eligible for the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship?

International students from all countries can apply. However, preference is given to:

Women
Applicants from migrant or non-academic backgrounds
Socially or financially disadvantaged students
Students with disabilities
Applicants active in political, social, or community service
Applicants pursuing studies in scientific and technical fields are especially encouraged.

You must also be accepted into or enrolled at a German university, and demonstrate good English and at least B2-level German proficiency.

Can students apply without knowing the German language?

No. A minimum of B2-level German language proficiency is required. Although some documents can be submitted in English, the application itself and most communication with the foundation must be in German. If your German isn’t strong enough, the foundation may sponsor additional German language classes once selected.

Is it mandatory to have political or social activism experience to qualify?

Yes, political and social engagement is a core requirement. The scholarship is not just academic; it supports students who are actively involved in community service, human rights work, environmental causes, or political activism, especially in line with the foundation’s leftist and progressive values.

What degree programs are excluded from the scholarship?

The scholarship is available for all academic fields except:

Medicine
Dentistry
Veterinary Medicine
Applicants from technical and scientific disciplines are especially encouraged to apply.

What is the duration of the scholarship?

For Master’s programs: Maximum of three years
For PhD programs: Maximum of four years
Initially, the scholarship is granted for one year and can be extended annually upon academic performance and continued eligibility. Extensions beyond the standard study period (Regelstudienzeit) are also possible under special conditions.

When is the deadline to apply for the 2026–2027 intake?

The application deadline is October 1, 2025, for scholarships beginning in the summer semester (April 1, 2026). It is advised to apply early as gathering documents, especially from universities, may take time.

How do I apply for the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship?

Here’s the application process:

Visit the official online portal of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.
Create an account and log in.
Fill out the online application form in German or English.
Upload all required documents (e.g., CV, academic transcripts, letter of admission, language certificates, and personal statement).
Submit the application before the deadline.

Applicants are shortlisted based on academic merit, activism, and alignment with the foundation’s values.