Are you stressed about Ph.D. program costs? Germany offers a dream solution: free tuition at public universities and tons of funding for international students! Go beyond scholarships and fellowships—universities and research institutes in Germany even offer paid research assistantships. This Abroadin guide explores fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany and shares great information with you. In this guide:
- Gerda Henkel Foundation PhD scholarships in Germany
- Max Planck Society Research Scholarships
- Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award
- DAAD – PhD Scholarships in Germany
- Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship For PhD
- DKFZ International PhD Program in Germany
- IEG Research Fellowship Program
- Heinrich Böll Foundation PhD Scholarships in Germany
- University of Potsdam PhD Completion Scholarships
- Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants for Development
Gerda Henkel Foundation PhD Scholarships in Germany
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Up to 2 years, with a possible 1-year extension upon application.
- Basic scholarship amount
- Travel allowance for stays abroad exceeding 4 weeks
- Family grant for children under 18
- Travel and material expenses
- Applications are submitted electronically only.
- Documents must be in German or English, with a font size of 11 minimum and line spacing of 1.5.
- Required Documents:
- Research proposal (max 8 pages) + bibliography (optional)
- Schedule and work plan (max 2 pages), including necessary travel
- Detailed cost estimate for travel and materials
- Curriculum vitae (tabular format)
- Copy of university degree certificates (Master’s or relevant)
- Two expert opinions (recommendation letters)
- Incomplete applications or those missing specialist opinions will be rejected.
- Age: 28 or younger upon Master’s degree completion (exceptions considered for extenuating circumstances)
- Minimum grade: 1.5 (German grading system) or equivalent for international students
Max Planck Society Research Scholarships
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Herbert Walther Fellowship
- Supports outstanding international guest scientists and PhD students in optics and quantum optics.
- PhD students need a degree suitable for doctoral studies.
- The application requires a motivation letter, CV, and Master’s transcript.
- Details: tax-free, based on PhD salary, max 6 months.
- Emmy Noether Travel Grant (Women Only):
- Supports professional development by connecting female researchers with leading scientists.
- Eligible: Female MPL employees with leadership potential.
- Funding: Up to 1-week stay in a European research group led by women (travel, accommodation, meals covered).
- The application requires a CV, motivation statement, chosen host group, travel timeframe, and supervisor approval.
- Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31.
- Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Stiftung Scholarship (Women Only):
- Supports female graduate students and postdocs in natural sciences and medicine with children.
- Provides monthly grants for childcare and household assistance.
- Applications open September 1; Deadline: November 30.
Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award: recognizes and empowers top international minds in applied research
- Nomination-based award (up to 3 per year)
- Eligibility
- Non-European PhD and Postdoctoral researchers
- Significant contributions to applied research
- Internationally recognized achievements with lasting impact
- Award
- €45,000 financial reward
- Additional benefits include:
- Networking opportunities
- Research collaboration possibilities
- Invitations to prestigious events
DAAD – PhD Scholarships in Germany
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Targets: Graduates, PhD students, and Postdocs
- Funding for Study visits, research visits, internships
- Programs Offered:
- Research Grants (1 year): For PhD students from most countries.
- Master’s Scholarships: Primarily for students from industrialized nations.
- Hilde Domin Programme: For students at risk of educational denial in their home country (nomination required).
- Sur-place and Third Country Programs: Funding for graduate, PhD, or postdoctoral studies in your home country/region.
- How to Apply:
- Visit the DAAD scholarship database.
- Find the program you’re interested in and pay close attention to deadlines.
- The database will link you to the application portal.
- Applications are reviewed by independent committees based on subject-related criteria.
- Benefits of these fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany include:
- Monthly stipend (€934 for graduates, €1,200 for PhD students).
- Flat-rate travel allowance.
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
- Additional benefits may include:
- One-off research allowance
- Family benefits
- Language course funding
Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship for PhD
- Eligible Nationalities: Not available for students from Western Europe
- Official website
- Eligibility:
- Applicants with substantial academic achievements
- Active involvement in social and political issues
- Commitment to the principles of social democracy
- Open to students from:
- All academic subjects
- Public or state-approved universities and universities of applied sciences (FH)
- Postgraduate programs (PhD)
- International Students (up to 40 per year):
- Must be from Africa, Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe
- Already enrolled in a German university or have a PhD supervisor
- Living in Germany before applying
- Proof of German language proficiency (C1 level)
- Proof of initial academic achievements (except Master’s students)
- Benefits include:
- Monthly stipend: €650 (primary) or €1,000 (graduate)
- Family allowance (€276, if applicable)
- Healthcare cost reimbursement
- Expectations:
- Regular participation in FES seminars and activities
- Above-average academic performance
- Continued social and political engagement
- Submit semester reports on academic progress and social involvement
- Time of Application:
- Deadlines vary depending on the program:
- Diploma/Magister/State Exam: by 6th semester
- Bachelor/Undergraduate: 3 semesters before the standard program end
- Master/Postgraduate: by 1st semester
- Application Process (4-7 months):
- Online application (in German)
- Individual interviews (if shortlisted)
- Interview with FES lecturer
- Interview with FES scholarship committee member
- Committee discussion and decision
- Written notification of the outcome
- Deadlines vary depending on the program:
DKFZ International PhD Program in Germany
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Application Deadlines:
- Summer Selection: May 15 (2024) – No Winter Selection in 2024/25.
- Following Selection: April 24 (2025)
- Usual Schedule (from Winter Selection 2025/26 onwards): May 15 and December 15 deadlines.
- Selection Process (Summer Selection – approx. timeline):
- Application Review: 6 weeks after the deadline.
- Shortlisted Applicants:
- Interview preparation: Provide contact details for 2 referees
- Panel Interviews (June 17th-28th):
- Present research project and scientific paper.
- Evaluated on academic achievements, research experience, and passion for cancer research.
- Most Successful Applicants:
- Individual Interviews with Supervisors (chosen from 5 preferred projects).
- On-site Visit (July 23-25): Explore research environments, meet supervisors, and attend social events.
- DKFZ Ph.D. Program Application
- Apply through the Online Application System (opens 6-8 weeks before the deadline).
- Required Documents:
- Academic certificates (electronic copies, PDF under 5MB).
- English language certificate.
- Statement of motivation.
- Letters of recommendation (submitted by referees by application deadline).
- Re-application:
- Not invited for interview: Create a new account and re-submit documents.
- Invited for interview (but not offered position): Contact supervisors directly.
- Already affiliated with DKFZ: Indicate affiliation and details in the application.
- Secured third-party funding: Apply if the Ph.D. started after the previous selection deadline and state affiliation in the application.
IEG Research Fellowship Program
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Deadlines:
- February 15
- August 15
- Application Requirements (in PDF format):
- Completed application form (available for download)
- Curriculum vitae and list of publications (optional, no photos)
- D. thesis outline (max 15,000 characters)
- D. thesis structure
- Detailed timetable for your stay at the IEG
- University transcripts and proof of language competence
- Application Submission:
- Email to: [email address removed]
- Subject: Fellowship Application
- Language: English or German (proficiency in English required)
- Reference Letters:
- Primary advisor: Submits a letter directly to IEG by deadline ([email address removed]) discussing:
- Applicant’s academic qualifications
- D. project details (topic, goal, current state)
- Planned work at the IEG (timeline and schedule)
- Secondary referee: Contacted by IEG (details in the application form). Inform them of your application beforehand. The letter should address:
- Research project (question, method, results, representation)
- The current state of research on the topic
- Value of IEG Fellowships:
- Monthly stipend: €1,350 (used exclusively for the research project at IEG)
- Family allowance may be available for accompanying partners with low incomes and children. Indicate on your application.
- Primary advisor: Submits a letter directly to IEG by deadline ([email address removed]) discussing:
Heinrich Böll Foundation PhD Scholarships in Germany
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Eligibility:
- International graduates and doctoral students
- Applicants with a strong academic background
- Active social and political engagement
- Proficiency in German (B2 Level or DSH2 minimum)
- Application Process (Online Only):
- Gather information and documents (begins 6 weeks before deadlines)
- Register for the online portal
- Complete the application form
- Upload required documents
- Submit your application by the deadline (March 1 or September 1)
University of Potsdam PhD Completion Scholarships
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Scholarship Types:
- Fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany (up to 36 months): Supports doctoral research projects.
- Completion Scholarships (up to 6 months): Provides funding to finalize a PhD dissertation.
- Eligibility:
- Current PhD candidate at the University of Potsdam
- Supervisor affiliated with the University of Potsdam
- Funding:
- Monthly stipend: €1,500 (excluding family allowance)
- Part-time scholarships are considered in exceptional cases
- Scholarship start date: May 2024 or later
- Application Process:
- It opens from January 17 up to March 3 every year.
- Review details and regulations on the Potsdam Graduate School website.
- Prepare a complete application package in a single PDF document.
- Apply via email to nadine.mohaupt@uni-potsdam.de
- Address application to Universität Potsdam, Geschäftsstelle der Vergabekommission für die Graduiertenförderung, Frau Nadine Mohaupt, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam.
Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants for Development
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
- Official website
- Eligibility:
- Be a graduate student with a clear career path in one of Rotary’s focus areas.
- Demonstrate a commitment to community service and long-term, sustainable change.
- Possess strong leadership potential and a proven academic record.
- Have well-defined goals for using the scholarship to advance their field.
- Be committed to maintaining a connection with Rotary after the scholarship period.
- Selection Process:
- Reviewing the candidate’s experience, academic record, and career goals.
- Conducting interviews to assess leadership skills, commitment to service, and scholarship goals.
- Collaborating with a host Rotary club or district in the student’s study location.
- Application Timeline:
- Applications for scholarships starting in August-October are due by June 30.
- All other applications are accepted on a rolling basis but should be submitted at least 3 months before the student’s departure date.
- Budget and Funding:
- Global Grants have a minimum budget of $30,000 with a maximum Rotary Foundation contribution of $400,000.
- Funds can come from various sources, including District Designated Funds, cash contributions, and directed gifts.
- Eligible expenses include tuition, fees, living expenses, travel, and language training.
- Ineligible expenses include personal travel, entertainment, and dependents’ expenses.
Now, it’s Your Turn!
Which of these fully funded Ph.D. scholarships in Germany suits you better, and why? In the comments section below, share your thoughts with others who are seeking Ph.D. scholarships in Germany to help them make better decisions.For downloading PDF of the article fill the form
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2 Comments
I WILL BE GRADUATING IN MY MSC IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS, NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY, NORTH CYPRUS BY FEB 2025. I WANT TO APPLY FOR STUDENTSHIP SCHOLARSHIP IN (PHD, MANAGEMENT, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, OR INFORMANTION SYSTEM MSNSGEMENT. PLEASE I NEED INFORMATION ON WHEN IT WILL BE AVALIABLE 2025 ONLINE APPLICATION.
Thank you for reaching out, and congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Application dates for PhD studentships and scholarships often vary depending on the institution or funding body. Typically, online applications open between September and December for programs starting in the following academic year (e.g., September 2025). It’s advisable to start checking specific universities’ websites or scholarship portals as early as October 2024.