Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for international students in Germany: The Heinrich Böll Foundation grants scholarships to approximately 1500 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’).
The Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for Undergraduates, Graduates, and PhD Students are highly competitive, available to international students, and Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal Foreign Office.
SUMMARY:
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): Heinrich Böll Foundation
- Host Institution(s): Universities in Germany
- Funding Amount: Funded
- Number of Awards: Several
- Study Level: Undergraduates, Graduates, and PhD
- Nationality: International Students
Eligibility criteria for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for International Students in Germany
To apply for this foundation scholarship, candidates must have the following profile:
- Proof of the required level of German language (B2 or DSH 2)
- Excellent school grades and academic standing; if requested, first graded proofs of academic achievements
- Social engagement and interest in politics, reflective, goal-oriented, creative personalities in their own right with inter-cultural and gender-democratic competencies
- Identification with the goals of the Foundation
- Responsible, motivated, reliable individuals willing to play an active role in the Foundation’s work.
The Heinrich Boll scholarship coverage varies depending on the level and status of the student as shown below:
Germans/Foreign students educated in Germany and EU nationals/Students not educated in Germany:
- PhD Students: €1350 per month plus €100 per month for research allowance.
- Undergraduate and graduate students: max. €812 plus €300 book allowance per month;
- A possible family and/or childcare allowance, health insurance, or similar.
- Non-EU nationals/Students not educated in Germany :
- PhD Students: €1,200 per month plus €100 mobility allowance per month, plus various individual allowances
- Undergraduate and Graduate students: €934 per month plus various individual allowances;
- A possible family and/or childcare allowance, health insurance, or similar.
Funding of research stays abroad:
Germans/Foreign students educated in Germany and EU nationals/Students not educated in Germany: Additional funding available for scholarship-holders only;
Non-EU nationals/Students not educated in Germany: Funding is available for limited periods spent abroad.
Funding of tuition fees:
- Germans/Foreign students educated in Germany and EU nationals/Students not educated in Germany: Not possible in Germany. Possible to a limited extent in other countries for Undergraduate, Graduate, and Ph.D. students;
- Non-EU nationals/Students not educated in Germany.
- PhD Students: Not possible;
- Undergraduate and graduate students: In certain cases, possible in Germany.
Required Documents for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for International Students in Germany
Following are the documents applicants are required to submit while applying for the scholarship:
Completely and correctly filled the application form along with the applicant’s 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 Process for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for International Students in Germany
The selection process for granting the scholarship comprises three stages:
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 the research project (in the case of doctoral students.
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.
Suitable applicants will have to attend a selection workshop held in Berlin that consists of a group discussion and a personal interview.
Only a few applicants are selected at the end of each stage. The decision taken during the selection procedure’s each stage is communicated to the applicants in writing. Students may reapply if they cannot clear the first or the second stage. However, applicants who have participated in the selection workshop and were rejected are not allowed to reapply.
Application Procedures for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for International Students in Germany
How-to-Apply: Applications for Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships are only accepted online applications; written proof of German language proficiency (Minimum requirement: „Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang“ Level DSH 2 or „TestDaF“ Level B2) necessary.
- Register for the online application portal.
- Provide the requested information in the Online Application Portal
- After uploading all of your documents, submit your application before the end of the application deadline.