If you attended a German school abroad and dream of studying at one of Germany’s top universities completely funded, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. TU Dresden, one of Germany’s most prestigious universities and an officially designated University of Excellence, is offering the BIDS Scholarship 2026–2027 through the DAAD-funded BIDS program. Selected scholars receive €450 per month for 12 full months to support their first year of undergraduate studies. The application deadline is June 15, 2026 — and this guide covers every single detail you need to apply successfully.
📋 Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| University | TU Dresden (Dresden University of Technology) |
| Country | Germany 🇩🇪 |
| Program | BIDS Scholarship 2025–2027 (DAAD-funded) |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate (Bachelor’s, Diplom, State Examination) |
| Monthly Stipend | €450 per month |
| Duration | 12 months (October 2026 – September 2027) |
| Eligible Countries | Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic |
| Scholarship Deadline | June 15, 2026 |
| Study Application Deadline | July 15, 2026 (or Sept 15 for EU/admission-free programs) |
| Official Website | tu-dresden.de BIDS |
🎓 BIDS Scholarship and TU Dresden Overview
TU Dresden — officially TUD Dresden University of Technology — is one of the eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany, a title awarded to only the very best research universities in the country. With 17 faculties spread across schools of Engineering Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Medicine, TU Dresden offers 119 degree programs covering an extraordinary breadth of academic disciplines.
Located in the culturally rich city of Dresden in Saxony, eastern Germany, TU Dresden consistently ranks among the top universities in Germany and features strongly in international rankings. It is a powerhouse for research, innovation, and international collaboration.
The BIDS program — short for Betreuungsinitiative Deutsche Auslands- und Partnerschulen (Support Initiative for German Schools Abroad and Partner Schools) — is funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Germany’s premier international academic funding body. The program is specifically designed to attract talented graduates of German schools abroad to pursue undergraduate studies at TU Dresden, building bridges between German-language school networks and Germany’s top universities.
This is one of the very few scholarships that directly rewards students who studied at a German school in a developing or transition country — making it a highly targeted and genuinely accessible opportunity for students from Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. At Gradualin, we highlight programs exactly like this — ones that most eligible students never hear about in time.
🎓 Benefits and Funding
The BIDS Scholarship is straightforward and generous for a first-year undergraduate award. Here is exactly what you receive:
- ✅ €450 per month as a monthly financial stipend
- ✅ 12 months of support — from October 2026 through September 2027, covering your entire first academic year
- ✅ Total scholarship value: €5,400 for the first year of studies
- ✅ Full access to TU Dresden’s world-class facilities, libraries, laboratories, and student support services
- ✅ Integration into one of Germany’s most internationally active university communities
- ✅ The prestige of studying at a University of Excellence — a credential that carries enormous weight globally
💡 Context: €450 per month in Dresden goes a long way. Dresden is one of Germany’s most affordable major cities. Student accommodation costs between €200–€350 per month, meaning the BIDS stipend can realistically cover a significant portion of your monthly living expenses.
This scholarship covers your first year — which is often the most financially challenging. Once established at TU Dresden, students can access additional DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, and university-specific funding opportunities for subsequent years.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the BIDS Scholarship at TU Dresden, you must meet all of the following:
- 🏫 Graduate of a German school abroad — specifically a DAS (Deutsche Auslandsschule), DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom), or DPS (Deutsche Partnerschaftsschule) school in one of the eligible countries
- 🌍 Eligible countries: Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, or Czech Republic — you must be from one of these five countries
- 📋 School-leaving qualification: Must hold an IB (International Baccalaureate), GIB (German International Baccalaureate), German Abitur, or a secondary school-leaving certificate that gives direct university entry in Germany (verified through the DAAD admission database)
- 🎓 Applying for an undergraduate degree: You must be applying for a Bachelor’s, Diplom, or State Examination program at TU Dresden — preferably (but not exclusively) in a STEM discipline with open admission
- 📊 Minimum average grade of 2.5 in your final school-leaving qualification (on the German grading scale, where 1.0 is best)
- 🚫 German citizens are NOT eligible — this scholarship is exclusively for non-German nationals
- 🤝 TU Dresden explicitly welcomes applications regardless of gender, ethnic and social background, family educational background, or health impairments
⭐ Important note on language: Since this scholarship targets graduates of German schools abroad, German language proficiency is required — and proof of German language skills must be submitted as part of your application documents.
🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not
✅ Apply if you:
- Attended a DAS, DSD, or DPS German school in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, or the Czech Republic
- Hold (or are about to receive) a school-leaving qualification that gives university entry in Germany
- Have a final average grade of 2.5 or better
- Want to study an undergraduate degree at one of Germany’s top universities
- Are NOT a German citizen
- Are motivated to study in Germany and build a career with an internationally respected degree
❌ Do NOT apply if you:
- Graduated from a school that is not a German DAS, DSD, or DPS school
- Hold German citizenship
- Are applying for a Master’s or PhD program (BIDS is for undergraduate study only)
- Are from a country not listed among the five eligible countries
- Have a final average grade below 2.5 on the German scale
- Are looking for a scholarship that covers multiple years (BIDS covers the first year only)
🎓 Available Programs and Fields of Study
The BIDS Scholarship is open to students applying for any undergraduate degree program at TU Dresden, though STEM disciplines with open admission are preferred. TU Dresden’s 17 faculties offer programs across a vast range of fields, including:
⚙️ Engineering and Technology: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems Engineering, Mechatronics
🏗️ Civil and Environmental Engineering: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Geodesy
🔬 Natural Sciences: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology
💊 Medicine and Health Sciences: Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences
🏛️ Humanities and Social Sciences: Linguistics, History, Political Science, Education, Sociology, Business and Economics, Law
🏛️ Architecture and Planning: Architecture, Urban Planning
For the full list of STEM programs at TU Dresden, visit the official MINT degree programs page. Students are encouraged to apply for programs with open admission to maximize their chances.
🎓 Required Documents
Prepare the following documents for your BIDS scholarship application:
- Completed BIDS scholarship application form — download from the official TU Dresden BIDS page (BIDS_Antrag_2026.pdf)
- Letter of motivation — with date and signature, explaining why you want to study at TU Dresden and your career goals
- Secondary school diploma with a full overview of subjects and grades (can be submitted by July 15, 2026 if not yet available)
- Proof of German language proficiency — official certificate or documentation
- Proof of admission and enrollment at TU Dresden for the 2026/27 winter semester (can be submitted by August 31, 2026)
📌 All documents must be submitted exclusively in digital form (PDF only, maximum 10 MB total) to the International Office of TU Dresden via email.
🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process
Follow these steps to complete both your scholarship application and your study place application at TU Dresden:
Step 1 — Download the application form Get the official BIDS 2026/2027 application form from the TU Dresden BIDS page. Read all instructions carefully before filling it out.
Step 2 — Write your letter of motivation This is your chance to stand out. Clearly explain why you want to study at TU Dresden, what field you are passionate about, and what career goals you are working toward. Be specific, genuine, and personal.
Step 3 — Gather your documents Collect your school diploma (or request it), proof of German language proficiency, and any other required supporting documents.
Step 4 — Apply for a study place at TU Dresden This is a separate process from the scholarship. Depending on your situation:
- Secondary school-leaving certificate holders: Apply through uni-assist (the international application service). The application period is April 1 – July 15, 2026 (some programs until September 15, 2026 for EU citizens)
- German International Abitur (Bildungsinländer) holders: Apply directly through the TU Dresden SELMA portal
Step 5 — Submit your scholarship application Send all PDF documents (max 10 MB) by email to the TU Dresden International Office before June 15, 2026
Step 6 — Submit remaining documents if needed Diploma can follow by July 15, 2026. Enrollment confirmation can follow by August 31, 2026.
Step 7 — Await the decision TU Dresden’s International Office will review your application. To receive the scholarship, you must ultimately be admitted and enrolled in an undergraduate program.
💡 Pro Tip: Apply for multiple degree programs via uni-assist. If your first-choice program has restricted admission, having backup program applications dramatically increases your chances of being admitted — and therefore receiving the scholarship.
🎓 Important Dates and Deadlines
| Event | Date |
| BIDS Scholarship Deadline | June 15, 2026 |
| School Diploma Submission Deadline | July 15, 2026 |
| Study Application Deadline (Uni-Assist) | July 15, 2026 (or Sept 15 for EU/open-admission) |
| Enrollment Confirmation Deadline | August 31, 2026 |
| Scholarship Period Begins | October 2026 |
| Scholarship Period Ends | September 2027 |
📌 Bookmark this page and check back for any updates — deadlines and document requirements can change.
🎓 Why Apply — Why TU Dresden and Germany
Let’s talk about what studying at TU Dresden really means for your future.
Germany is consistently ranked among the best countries in the world for higher education, and tuition fees at public universities are either zero or extremely low for all students — international included. This means that with the BIDS stipend of €450 per month, you are essentially studying at a world-class institution at minimal personal cost.
TU Dresden specifically is not just any German university. It holds the University of Excellence title — Germany’s highest academic honor — awarded by the federal government to recognize institutions of extraordinary research quality and innovation. With 119 degree programs and cutting-edge research facilities, the opportunities for academic and professional growth are vast.
Dresden as a city is a hidden gem of Europe. Known as the “Florence on the Elbe,” Dresden is famous for its stunning baroque architecture, world-class museums, vibrant cultural scene, and a relaxed, student-friendly atmosphere. It is also remarkably affordable compared to Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg — your scholarship stretches further here.
For students from Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, this scholarship is a direct investment in your future in Europe’s largest economy. A TU Dresden degree opens doors across Germany and the entire European Union — and beyond.
Gradualin believes this scholarship is deeply underutilized — most eligible students in these five countries simply never find out about it in time. Share this article with anyone who attended a German school abroad.
🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need to have already been admitted to TU Dresden before applying for the BIDS Scholarship? A: No — you do not need to be admitted at the time of your scholarship application. However, to actually receive the scholarship, you must be admitted and enrolled at TU Dresden. Proof of enrollment can be submitted by August 31, 2026.
Q: Is IELTS or TOEFL required for the BIDS Scholarship? A: The BIDS Scholarship does not require IELTS or TOEFL because it targets graduates of German schools abroad and instruction at TU Dresden is primarily in German. You do need to provide proof of German language proficiency instead. This makes BIDS one of the scholarships where no English language test is required.
Q: Can I apply if I am from a country not on the eligible list? A: Unfortunately, no. The BIDS program at TU Dresden currently only accepts applications from graduates of German schools abroad in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Students from other countries are not eligible for this specific scholarship.
Q: Can I apply for any degree program or only STEM? A: You can apply for any undergraduate degree program at TU Dresden. However, the program gives preference to STEM disciplines with open admission. Non-STEM applications are not excluded — they are just less prioritized.
Q: What happens if I am not admitted to my first-choice degree program? A: TU Dresden strongly recommends applying for multiple programs through uni-assist. If you are not admitted to your preferred program but gain admission to another, you can still receive the scholarship — provided you meet all other requirements.
Q: Is the BIDS Scholarship renewable for the second year? A: The BIDS Scholarship specifically covers the first year of undergraduate study (12 months). For continued financial support in subsequent years, students can explore other funding options such as the Deutschlandstipendium, DAAD continuation grants, or university-specific scholarships. (Verify renewal options with the BIDS contact office.)
🎓 Official Source and Contact Information
- 🌐 Official BIDS Scholarship Page: tu-dresden.de BIDS
- 📝 Application Form Download: Available on the official TU Dresden BIDS page (BIDS_Antrag_2026.pdf)
- 🔗 Study Application (Uni-Assist): uni-assist international application info
- 🔗 Study Application (SELMA Portal for German Abitur holders): selma.tu-dresden.de
- 📍 In-person Office: Fritz-Foerster-Bau, Mommsenstraße 6, Room 176, 01062 Dresden, Germany
- 👤 Scholarship Contact: Mr Maximilian Schurig — International Office, TU Dresden
- 👤 BIDS Project Coordinator: Ms Cornelia Hesse — International Office, TU Dresden
- 📧 Contact via: International Office TU Dresden (email available on the official page)
🎓 Complete Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Scholarship Name | BIDS Scholarship 2025–2027 |
| Funded By | DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) |
| Host University | TU Dresden (University of Excellence) |
| Country | Germany 🇩🇪 |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate (Bachelor’s, Diplom, State Examination) |
| Monthly Stipend | €450/month |
| Total Value | €5,400 (12 months) |
| Scholarship Period | October 2026 – September 2027 |
| Eligible Countries | Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic |
| School Type Required | DAS / DSD / DPS German school abroad |
| Minimum Grade | 2.5 (German scale) |
| German Citizens Eligible? | ❌ No |
| IELTS/TOEFL Required? | ⭐ No — German proficiency required instead |
| Scholarship Deadline | June 15, 2026 |
| Study Application Deadline | July 15, 2026 (Sept 15 for some programs) |
| Official Link | tu-dresden.de/bids |
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