✨ Should I Apply for Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Low (Highly competitive selection process)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to €861 per month for Master's students; €1,200 per month for PhD candidates
⏱
Duration
Standard period of study (Regelstudienzeit) for the chosen degree program
🗓
Deadline
Master's (International): Oct 31 for Winter; Apr 30 for Summer. PhD: Rolling applications.
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Fields
All academic disciplines (excluding Medicine and Dentistry for certain international tracks)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 40 international students per year; total active scholars around 2,700
🏛️
Provider
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
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Acceptance
Approximately 5-10%
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) scholarship supports talented students from Germany and abroad who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and a strong commitment to social democratic values. It provides financial aid and extensive personal support to help develop the next generation of social and political leaders.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must demonstrate above-average academic achievement, commitment to the values of social democracy, and German language proficiency (C1 level).
🏛️ Host University
All state-recognized universities and universities of applied sciences in Germany
🤝 Sponsor
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V.
🏥 Fields of Study
All academic disciplines (excluding Medicine and Dentistry for certain international tracks)
✨ Key Benefits
Provides a monthly financial grant for living expenses, health insurance subsidies, family allowances where applicable, and a comprehensive non-material support program consisting of seminars and networking.
🎯 Target Students
International students (Global South/Eastern Europe), German students, and refugees
🏷 Tags
Germany
Fully Funded
Master
PhD
Social Democracy
Leadership
International Students
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
No (Public German universities are generally tuition-free; the foundation provides a living stipend)
Living Stipend
Yes, €861 for Master's and €1,200 for PhD plus a €300 flat-rate study fee
Total Award
Up to €861 per month for M
✈️ Travel: Yes, international students may receive a travel grant to Germany
🏠 Accommodation: No (Stipend is intended to cover housing and living costs)
💊 Health Insurance: Yes, contribution to health and long-term care insurance costs
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
No (Public German universities are generally tuition-free; the foundation provides a living stipend)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, €861 for Master's and €1,200 for PhD plus a €300 flat-rate study fee
🏡 Accommodation
No (Stipend is intended to cover housing and living costs)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, international students may receive a travel grant to Germany
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, contribution to health and long-term care insurance costs
🎁 Other Benefits
Individual mentoring, extensive seminar program, and access to a global alumni network
📋 Renewal Conditions
Annual review of academic progress and continued social-political involvement
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Excellent academic performance, social/political commitment, and residency in Germany/EU or Global South
🎓 Academic Level
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD (Doctorate)
📊 Minimum GPA
Top 10% of class or 'Good' to 'Very Good' in German grading system
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies (German language proficiency is the primary requirement)
🎂 Age Limit
None (Focus is on applying at the beginning of the degree program)
💼 Work Experience
Not strictly required, but social and political volunteering is essential
🏆 Leadership
High (Applicants must show active social or political leadership/engagement)
💰 Financial Need
Considered for German/EU applicants; international selection is merit and engagement-based
🎯 Target Students
International students (Global South/Eastern Europe), German students, and refugees
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal statement and detailed description of socio-political engagement)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two academic letters of recommendation from university professors)
Interview
Yes (Two personal interviews with local FES liaison professors)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Two academic letters of recommendation from university professors) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Varies (German language proficiency is the primary requirement)
- Interview: Yes (Two personal interviews with local FES liaison professors)
- Min GPA: Top 10% of class or 'Good' to 'Very Good' in German grading system
📋 Application Process
Emphasize your alignment with social democratic values and provide concrete examples of your community or political leadership.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your German skills are at a C1 level as the selection process and seminars are conducted entirely in German.