Nationwide there are a large number of private and state-financed foundations and organizations for the promotion of gifted children. In recent years, the number of different scholarship offers has steadily increased, but unfortunately Germany is still in the bottom ranks in the field of scholarships in international comparison.

Regrettably, scholarships are often regarded as “elitist”, which means that many students refrain from applying for them and taking a closer look at the topic. It goes without saying that good to excellent academic performance is indispensable, but social criteria often play an important role in the selection decision.

Below you will find an overview of the various options for financing your studies.

Funding opportunities from Nuremberg Institute of Technology

Target group: Students as well as university applicants can apply

Requirements:

  • Above average performance at school, university, or professionally
  • Volunteer work, involvement in community, university, or political activities
  • Responsible roles in religious communities, associations, or clubs
  • Personal or family circumstances can also be taken into account

Amount of the stipend: 300 € / month

Further information :You can find detailed information about the Deutschlandstipendium stipend at Nuremberg Tech and how to apply online.

Target group: Students with demonstrated need at the Nuremberg Institute of Technology

Requirements:

  • written request  by the student
  • Documentation of demonstrated need is absolutely required
  • Students in the 2nd semester or higher
  • Confirmation from the Faculty of the need for the learning materials
  • Student has not previously received an Oskar-Karl-Forster-Stipendium

Purpose of the grant:For purchasing books and other learning materials

Amount of the grant:min. €100 to max. €500

Duration of the grant: one time

Application: application: possible at any time

Contact:

Target group: Highly qualified master’s students or graduates in all disciplines at Nuremberg Tech aiming to complete a doctorate

Requirements: Above-average grade point average in master’s coursework or above-average master’s thesis

Purpose of the grant:

  • Preparing for and taking up doctoral studies
  • Preparing a synopsis (including time and work schedule)
  • Agreeing with a doctoral supervisor

Application deadline:1 February or 1 September

Amount of the grant: 500 € / month

Duration of the grant: six months

Information on the funding opportunities for degree-related study abroad (study or internship abroad) can be found on the website of the International Office.

Information on student funding is available for international prospective and current students on these pages. .

Funding opportunities from the Nuremberg Foundations

Target group: Support for students in need in all disciplines

Requirements:

  • You have been resident in Bavaria for at least five years 
  • You are a member of the Bavarian Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • You are not older than 27

Application deadline: 30 April and 31 October

Amount of the stipend: 100 - 200 € / month

Duration of the stipend: one semester (extensions are possible)

Further information: www.gustav-schickedanz-stiftung.de

Target group: all students in need 

Requirements:

  • Applicants must have been registered as resident in Nuremberg for at least six years.
  • Applicants are between the ages of 15 and 34

Purpose of the stipend: To address educational costs

Application: possible at any time

Duration of the stipend: Maximum 16 semesters at university

Specific features:

  • The Endowment Administration administers the funds of various donors from Nuremberg.
  • The application must be made using a form provided by the Endowment Administration.

Further information: http://nuernberg.de/internet/referat2/stipendien.html

Federal Government funding for gifted young people

Requirements:

  • above average academic achievements
  • personal (volunteer) activities

Application:

  • Independent application (possible for students in their 1st or 2nd semester): from 12 January - mid-February 2021
  • Nomination by a professor valid for 1 year
  • Nomination by the university: from May - 31 July

Amount of the scholarship: 300 - 774 € / month

Further information :www.studienstiftung.de

Liaison lecturer: 

Target group: Skilled workers/specialists with professional training and experience studying at university for the first time

Requirements:

  • Completed vocational education and training or advanced training. The apprenticeship must be conform to German law and accredited in Germany. For more information on these requirements, please visit www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. Please note: Academic studies cannot be recognised as an apprenticeship.
  • At least two years’ professional experience after graduation and before starting university (24 months with a minimum of 19 hours/week).
  • You have documentation of extraordinary professional performance. 
  • Applicants must have German citizenship or the right of permanent residence or a settlement permit (“Niederlassungserlaubnis”).

Application: There are spring and fall online application periods. The specific deadlines and more information is available online.

Amount of the stipend:

  • Full-time students: from 934 € / month plus 80 € book allowance
    Additional childcare lump sum for children under 14 years old (160 € for each child)
  • Part-time students: 2900 € in the calendar year as a lump sum and dependent on income

Specific features:

  • Income-independent support of regular full-time study and part-time study for professionals
  • Applications are possible even before beginning at university and until the end of the second semester

Further information :

  • SBBs YouTube channel “SBB - Wir fördern berufliche Talente” with an introductory film and interviews with stipend recipients

Do you have questions about applying?

Target group:

  • Students who would like to study, conduct research, or do an internship abroad
  • International students who would like to study, conduct research, or do an internship in Germany

Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/

Gifted students grants from the Bavarian student funding programmes

Requirements

  • above average academic achievements
  • personal (volunteer) activities

Application:

  • Independent applicants (possible as of the 3rd semester): until 1 November 
  • Nomination by a professor (possible as of the 3rd semester): until 1 November 
  • Nomination by the university: until 1 November 

Amount of the stipend: 215 € / month

Further information :https://www.elitenetzwerk.bayern.de/start/foerderangebote/max-weber-programm

Target group: Students from all subject areas with demonstrated business interest

Requirements:

  • Good to very good academic achievements
  • Volunteer activities, competitive sports, community or international activities

Costs of the programme: 950 € per phase (incl. accommodations, board, programme, travel abroad)

Length of the programme: four 4-week phases

Application deadline: 6 December 2020

Further information :www.eliteakademie.de

Liaison lecturer:

Gifted students grants from party-affiliated foundations

Requirements

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities
  • You are not older than 35

Application deadline: 15 January and 15 July

Further information :www.kas.de

Requirements

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities
  • Not older than 32

Application deadline: 15 July and 30 November

Amount of the scholarship: 300 - 744 € / month

Further information :www.hss.de

Liaison lecturer:

Sandra Müller, photo: private

Hello Sandra Müller! What are you studying at our university?

“I am enrolled in the Applied Research in Engineering Sciences master’s programme.”

Why did you apply specifically for this scholarship?

“My sister was a scholarship recipient at the time. She told me about the interesting seminars at Kloster Banz and how many people she met there. Based on her recommendation, I applied for a scholarship. I can identify well with the values of the foundation. The foundation is active worldwide in the service of “democracy, peace and development” and advocates for peaceful coexistence in the world. It is a party-affiliated scholarship that has a conservative character. You do not need to be a party member, however. You should have a general interest in politics and socially critical issues. Because of my family, I have been interested in political issues from a young age and have always happily and actively engaged in family discussions, particularly on the topic of what time I needed to be home at night (laughing).”

What do you especially appreciate about your scholarship?

“I have a valuable network of contacts because of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. I have met students from all areas of study, from some that I didn’t even know existed. The scholarship recipients come from all over Germany. I have met so many different people, who have all brought similar values into the foundation. At the seminars, you often get to see the familiar faces. I also am in contact with former scholarship recipients, which in turn can connect me with contacts in the professional world. Sometimes the foundation feels like a large family.”

What long term effects - beyond your studies - do you expect as a result of the scholarship?

“I have established not only contacts through the foundation, but have also made friends; those relationships will definitely continue after my studies are done. In the seminars, I have gained knowledge that no one can take from me and I was able to develop personally as well. I have learned how to present myself and to discuss through my experience with the foundation. I think this experience has given me great self-confidence. I am considering pursuing a doctoral degree after my master’s studies. The Hanns Seidel Foundation provides a good cornerstone for this as well by providing support for doctoral studies.” 20 Oct 2022 / CS / PP

Requirements

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities

Duration of the stipend: 1 year (extensions are possible)

Application deadline: 30 April and 31 October

Further information :www.freiheit.org

Liaison lecturer:

Requirements

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 30 April and 31 October

Amount of the stipend: 300 - 744 € / month

Further information :www.fes.de

Requirements

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 1 March and 1 September

Amount of the stipend: from 300 € / month

Further information: www.boell.de

Requirements

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 1 April or 1 October 

Amount of the stipend: 300 - 774 € / month

Further information :www.rosalux.de

Gifted students grants from foundations with close ties to business

Requirements

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities
  • You have an entrepreneurial spirit.

Application period 1 March 2021 - 30 April 2021

Duration of the stipend: until the end of the regular study programme duration

Further information :www.sdw.org

Gifted students grants from foundations with close ties to trade unions

Target group: primarily students who reach university after attending second or third chance schools

Requirements:

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 1 February or 1 July

Further information :www.boeckler.de

Gifted students grants from churches and confessional foundations

Requirements

  • You are a member of the Catholic faith
  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal commitment through (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 1 August 

Further information :

www.cusanuswerk.de/startseite

Photo: Erich Sobolewski

Hello Vanessa Schipke! What are you studying at our university?

“Hello! I am in my 5th semester in the International Business and Technology programme with a specialisation in electrical engineering.”

Why did you apply specifically for this stipend?

“The ‘Oberstufe’ coordinator at my school advised me of the Cusanuswerk after my ‘Abitur’. Before that, I had actually not considered applying for support from any foundations, but he thought I had a good chance because of my marks and social engagement.
In the beginning, I still had doubts because, while I am Catholic, I never went to mass regularly and don’t have any volunteer activity within the Church. But after I did some research, I realised that the Cusanuswerk does not focus strictly on living according to the Catholic doctrines, but also looks for candidates who critically consider the Church and faith. The Cusanuswerk aims to support our individual talents and interests to enable us to bring them to bear in society as a Christian responsibility. That is what convinced me to apply for this stipend.”

What do you especially appreciate about your stipend?

“I really appreciate the ideal mix of support from the Cusanuswerk; an interdisciplinary educational programme, a spiritual programme, and individual supervision. This concept includes various workshops, academies during the semester breaks, religious retreats, and excursions, in which one can discover diverse fields that are often completely independent of one’s area of study. For example, this year I took part in an academy on mining that provided an interesting opportunity to stretch my knowledge and take an intensive look at an unknown subject area and discuss it with others.”

What long term effects - beyond your studies - do you expect as a result of the stipend?

“The Cusanuswerk has already affected the way I think about things and my personality, which is the biggest long-term effect. Because the intergenerational exchanges with people from diverse specialities and areas of life have helped me to learn to approach people more openly, engage in discussion, and offer my informed opinion - whether it be on religious, political, or social issues. I have also been able to make connections to alumni, who have very different backgrounds and CVs; their experiences inform the support they can provide me in my own development.” 16 Nov 2022 / CS / PP

Requirements

  • Ideally, you are a member of a Protestant faith
  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal commitment through (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 15 January and 15 July

Duration of the stipend: entire duration of studies

Further information :www.evstudienwerk.de

Photo: David Belzner

Hello Sophia Belzner! What are you studying at Nuremberg Tech?

“I am in the 7th semester of the bachelor’s degree programme in Social Work."

Why did you apply specifically for this scholarship?

“I decided to apply at the Evangelische Studienwerk Villigst, because I am Protestant and so applying to a Protestant funding association was intuitive. Nonetheless, I thought it was good that Villigst does not absolutely require that a person belong to the church or be faithful to receive funding. I was convinced by the open, tolerant, democratic, and reflected ideology and the social responsibility that results from it, because I can identify with this philosophy.”

What do you especially appreciate about your scholarship?

“Of course the financial support is a great relief that allows me to concentrate on other things. I am grateful for that, but it is far from being the only thing. What I really like is that Villigst gives me the feeling that I - as a whole person not just my studies and marks - am the focus of the support. I also receive personal advising and supervision, and exchanges and meetings with other Villigst scholarship recipients in the area - I value those aspects highly as well. Furthermore, the broad variety of other programmes (e.g. summer universities, language courses, seminars, etc.) and the option for support during a study abroad or social semester provided me opportunities within and besides my studies that I otherwise would not have had. And last, but not least: It meant a lot to me that after I was accepted by the Evangelische Studienwerk there was no probationary period, the scholarship is for the entire duration of studies. That gives me security that allows me to devote my time to other things.”

What long term effects - beyond your studies - do you expect as a result of the scholarship?

“Even though the current funding will end someday, I will remain in the Villigst network for life. I can continue my social commitment to and through the Evangelische Studienwerk, participate in regional and inter-regional events and meetings, pursue further education offers, and exchanges and discussions with people from diverse academic backgrounds. Furthermore, I am also convinced that the contacts I have gained and the energy that I have been able to invest in my volunteer work and in my studies because of the scholarship will have long-term effects on my life and my professional knowledge.” 10 Nov 2022 / CS / PP

Requirements:

  • You are a member of the Jewish faith
  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 1 June and 1 December

Amount of the stipend: 300 € - 752 € / month

Further information :www.ELES-studienwerk.de

Requirements

  • Ideally, you are a member of a Muslim faith
  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities

Application deadline: 1 April or 1 October

Amount of the stipend: 300 € - 752 € / month

Further information :www.avicenna-studienwerk.de

Gifted students grants from other church institutions

Target group:

  • Female students
  • Female students who are parents
  • Female students from outside Germany
  • Female students who are about to complete their degree

Requirements:

  • Ideally, you are a member of the Catholic faith

Amount of the loan: 250 € or 500 € / month 

Duration of the loan: up to a maximum loan amount of 10,000 €

Specific features: Repayment of the loan (10% annually, 150 € / month minimum) upon employment

Further information :www.hildegardis-verein.de

Requirements:

  • You are a member of the Catholic faith

Application deadline: 31 January 2020

Amount of the loan: up to 5,000 €

Specific features: Repayment of the load (minimum 100 €/month) 6 months after completing your studies

Further information :www.damv.org

Target group:

  • Students from developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America
  • Students from countries in Central, East, or South East Europe, the Caucasus, or Central Asia

Requirements:

  • Above average academic achievements
  • Personal (volunteer) activities
  • Ideally, you are a member of the Catholic faith
  • You are pursuing your studies with the intent to return to your home region permanently.

Application:

  • Scholarship Program 1: application possible at any time
  • Scholarship Program 2: twice annually 
  • Eastern-Europe Program: 15 January or 30 July

Further information :www.kaad.de

Other scholarships

Target group:

  • This support programme is aimed at young migrants who want to obtain a higher education entrance qualification in Germany, prepare for university studies and aim for an academic career and who live in Germany as refugees, Jewish immigrants or late repatriates or their relatives.
  • You are not older than 30.

 Purpose of the funding:

  • Course costs
  • Learning materials lump sum
  • Travel costs 
  • Living costs
  • Accommodation costs
  • Health insurance
  • Tutoring
  • Special costs (translation, recognition of academic achievements, certification)

Application: within the framework of the advisory interview at the Bildungsberatungsstellen

Amount of the funding: depends upon the assistance measure(s) 

Duration of funding: up to a maximum of 30 months

Further information :https://www.obs-ev.de/

Google offers several scholarships.

Further information: https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/scholarships/

“Working-class students” have access to consultation hours or meet-ups with mentors in every city.

For people from Nuremberg and Erlangen, these usually take place every second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. (open consultation hours from 7:00 p.m.) in Kater Murr (Johannesgasse 14, 90402 Nuremberg).

Further information: www.arbeiterkind.de

The following companies make awards, e.g. scholarships, to students:

In addition, it has proven to be a good idea to independently and proactively search for scholarships and other funding opportunities on company websites.

Link Tips for finding a scholarship

www.mystipendium.de Scholarship guide from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Scholarship database of e-fellows.net Search for a foundation in the Federal Association of German Foundations Search for a scholarship in the German Foundations Association