Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students

Heinrich Boll Foundation
Masters/PhD Degree

Deadline: The application deadline is March 1st and September 1st. 
Study in:  Germany
Next course starts 2021

Brief description: 

The Heinrich Böll Foundation awards some scholarships to international students who gained their university entrance qualification from a school outside of Germany who wish to study a Masters or PhD Degree in Germany. The Heinrich Böll Foundation grants scholarships to approximately 1400 undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students of all subjects and nationalities per year, who are pursuing their degree at universities, universities of applied sciences (‘Fachhochschulen’), or universities of the arts (‘Kunst-/Musikhochschulen’) Applicants are expected to have excellent academic records, to be socially and politically engaged, and to have an active interest in the basic values of the foundation: ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self determination and justice. The scholarship program allots scholarships to international students, both EU and non-EU, who are not educated in Germany.

Host Institution(s):

The Heinrich Boll Foundation has its headquarters in Berlin- Mitte and supports around 1,400 students every year with scholarships to study at a German University. The foundation works with over 100 partner projects across 60 countries and has offices in 32 countries, including France, Turkey, India, the United States, China, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Its main objective is to encourage political education across the world to promote socio-political commitment, democratic will, and international understanding,

State or state-recognized Universities  in Germany

Level/Field(s) of study:

The scholarships are towards Masters Degree or PhD Degree in all subjects offered at state or state-recognised universities in Germany

For EU students, Master’s Degree courses at state or state-recognised universities in Germany, Switzerland, and other EU member states are possible

Scholarship value/inclusions/duration:

Masters Studies:
Non-EU students: €850 per month plus various individual allowances; tuition fees are in certain cases possible in Germany.
EU students: varies, max. €649 plus €300 book money per month; tuition fees not possible in Germany but possible to a limited extent in other countries.

The scholarship is awarded for the regular period of study, may be extended by one semester.

PhD Studies:
Non-EU students: €1,200 per month plus €100 mobility allowance per month, plus various individual allowances; tuition fees are not possible.
EU students: €1350 per month basic scholarship plus €100 per month research costs allowance; tuition fees are not possible in Germany but possible to a limited extent in other countries.

The scholarship is awarded for two years as a rule, may be extended twice at most by half a year.

Eligibility:

International Master students who earned their university entrance qualification outside Germany:

• You may apply before commencing your Masters programme or at any time up to the end of the first semester of the Masters programme.

• Proof of first professional qualification must be provided

International Doctoral students who earned the university entrance qualification outside Germany:

• The applicant must have been accepted as a doctoral student by a state or state-recognised university in Germany. Proof of admission, as a rule in Germany, must be included with the application.

• By the application date, preliminary work must have been completed and a valid timetable for completion must be submitted.

• PhD subjects related to focal points of the Foundation’s activities will be given priority.

Required Documents

Following are the documents required to be submitted by applicants while applying for the scholarship:

• Completely and correctly filled application form along with the applicant’s personal data and CV, motivation for applying, motivation for studying the chosen subject, an outline of his/her political interests and social commitments, and an outline of the Ph.D. thesis project (for doctoral students only)
• A copy of the applicant’s university entrance qualification, Abitur or baccalaureate. Attach an English or German translation by a certified translator, if required.
• If an applicant has already commenced the studies, he/she is required to submit a list of study certificates to date.
• Foreign applicants seeking to pursue a master’s degree must submit their first-degree certificate’s certified copy (with English or German translation if required). Applicants will also have to submit an explanation of the grading in case it is different from the German system.
• Student enrolment certificate
• A 1-2 page long reference on the applicant’s social commitment by a representative of an organization or an institution
• A 1-2 page long expert reference by a university/college lecturer or a school teacher (in case of secondary-level students). Those applying for doctoral scholarships have to submit two expert references.
• Doctoral students are also required to attach a detailed exposé of their research project.

Selection Stages.

The selection process for granting the scholarship comprises three stages:

• Stage 1: Submission of written application along with the required documents that include an expert reference from a school teacher or a university lecturer and a personal reference on the applicant’s social commitment. Each application is reviewed based on the applicant’s academic record, his/her political interest, and social commitment, the reason for applying for the scholarship and the quality of research project (in case of doctoral students).
• Stage 2: After the application has been assessed, an hour-long interview is held with a liaison lecturer usually at the applicant’s university or near his/her residence. The interview can also be telephonic. After the interview, a report written by the liaison lecturer is attached to the application.
• Stage 3: Suitable applicants will have to attend a selection workshop held in Berlin that consists of a group discussion and personal interview.

Only a few applicants are selected at the end of each stage. The decision taken at the selection procedure’s each stage is communicated to the applicants in writing. Students may reapply if they could not clear the first or the second stage. However, applicants who have participated in the selection workshop and were rejected are notallowed to reapply.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website:  https://www.boell.de/en/foundation/applicatio