Are you an international student already studying in Germany and looking for serious financial support? The Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung / FES) offers one of Germany’s most prestigious and socially conscious scholarships — and it is open to outstanding students from the Global South, post-Soviet states, and Eastern Europe right now.
With a generous monthly stipend, full health insurance coverage, and absolutely zero repayment obligation, this scholarship is designed to free you from financial stress so you can focus entirely on what matters most — your studies, your research, and your impact on the world.
If you are already enrolled at a German university and passionate about social justice and democratic values, this could be the breakthrough opportunity you have been waiting for.
For more fully funded scholarships in Europe, visit Gradualin Scholarships
🎓 Scholarship Overview
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation is one of Germany’s oldest and most respected political foundations, closely associated with the values of social democracy. Named after Friedrich Ebert — Germany’s first democratically elected President — the foundation has been supporting talented, socially committed students and researchers for decades.
The scholarship targets particularly gifted students from countries in the Global South — including Asia, Africa, and Latin America — as well as post-Soviet states and eastern and south-eastern European EU countries. Students and doctoral candidates from OECD countries are not eligible for this specific program.
What makes this scholarship stand out is its dual approach: it offers both financial support and non-material support through access to a powerful network of scholars, seminars, workshops, and political education events.
| Feature | Details |
| 🏛️ Foundation | Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), Bonn, Germany |
| 🎓 Level | Bachelor, Master, Diploma, State Exam & Doctoral |
| 💰 Monthly Stipend | €992/month + health insurance costs |
| 👶 Child Allowance | €160/month (for scholars with children) |
| 🔁 Repayment | None — fully non-repayable grant |
| 🌍 Eligible Countries | Global South, post-Soviet states, Eastern/SE Europe (EU) |
| 📅 Application | Rolling (specific timelines apply) |
| 🔗 Official Website | fes.de |
🎓 Benefits & Funding
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation scholarship package is genuinely comprehensive. Here is what successful applicants receive:
Financial (Material) Support:
- A monthly base amount of €992, with health insurance costs additionally funded. Scholars with a child receive an additional allowance of €160 per month. The scholarship does not have to be repaid.
- Duration follows BAföG regulations, meaning it covers the standard length of your degree program
Non-Material (Ideelle) Support:
- Access to a wide range of political education seminars, workshops, and competency training sessions
- Membership in scholarship groups across numerous German cities and 18 thematic working groups nationwide
- Integration into the large FES alumni and current scholar network — connecting you with mentors, professionals, and changemakers
- Personal mentoring and academic guidance throughout the scholarship period
This combination of financial freedom and a rich academic-social community is what makes the FES scholarship far more than just a monthly payment. You become part of a values-driven movement.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- Must be a foreign national — citizens of OECD countries are not eligible for this specific program
- Must be already enrolled at a state-recognized university or university of applied sciences in Germany
- Must demonstrate above-average study-related performance and have first graded certificates of academic achievement
- Must show social and political involvement and genuine commitment to the values of social democracy
- Must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of German — even if your degree program is taught in English
German Language Requirements: This is an important point that many students overlook. Sufficient knowledge of German is required even if the courses are held in English. Accepted proof includes a Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang of at least DSH level 2, a Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache of at least level 4, a Zertifikat C1 by a Goethe Institute, the Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz on level II, or Telc C1 Hochschule.
English Proficiency: No specific English test requirement is listed for this scholarship since you must already be enrolled in a German university. Your admission to a German degree program typically serves as proof of language ability.
🎓 Who Should Apply
This scholarship is the right fit for you if you:
- Are an international student from Asia, Africa, Latin America, a post-Soviet state, or an Eastern/SE European EU country — currently studying in Germany
- Hold a strong academic record with above-average grades
- Are actively involved in civic, community, or political life — either in Germany or in your home country
- Believe in democratic values, social justice, tolerance, and inclusion
- Want to focus on your studies without financial pressure while building a lasting professional network
Who Should NOT Apply:
- Students from OECD countries (including most of Western Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea etc.)
- Students who have not yet begun studying in Germany — you must already be enrolled
- Students who cannot demonstrate the required German language proficiency (C1 level minimum)
- Students involved in activities contrary to democratic values
🎓 Available Programs
The funding for international students includes Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Diploma degree programmes, as well as degree programmes leading to the state examination.
A separate doctoral scholarship for international students is also offered by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation for PhD candidates already admitted to a German university. If you are a doctoral researcher, check the Promotionsförderung für Ausländer:innen program on the FES website.
All subject areas are eligible — this is not a field-specific scholarship. Whether you study medicine, engineering, social sciences, law, arts, or any other discipline, you can apply as long as you meet the other criteria.
🎓 Ideal Application Timing
Knowing when to apply is just as important as knowing how. The Foundation recommends applying as early as possible to maximize the period you can benefit from the scholarship:
- Master’s students: Apply before or at the very start of your first semester (Winter: by November 30 / Summer: by May 31)
- Bachelor’s / Diploma / Staatsexamen students: Apply after your first semester and no later than three semesters before your regular program end date
- Medical students: Apply after your fourth semester (after Physikum) and no later than the end of your sixth semester
💡 Applications can technically be submitted at any time, but the above windows maximize the benefit period. The sooner you apply, the longer you can receive support.
🎓 Required Documents
All application forms and specific document requirements are available through the official FES application portal. Generally, you will need to prepare:
- Completed online application form — available at the FES application portal
- Academic transcripts — showing your above-average grades and graded academic achievements
- Proof of enrollment — certificate from your German university confirming active enrollment
- German language certificate — at C1 level (DSH-2, TestDaF level 4, Goethe C1, DSD II, or Telc C1 Hochschule)
- Motivation letter / personal statement — explaining your academic goals, civic engagement, and commitment to social democratic values
- Letters of recommendation — from academic supervisors or professors
- CV / résumé — highlighting your academic achievements, volunteer work, leadership, and civic involvement
- Proof of civic/social engagement — evidence of your involvement in community, political, or social organizations
🎓 Application Process
Applying for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship is done through their dedicated online portal. Here is how to proceed step by step:
Step 1: Visit the official application page at fes.de/studienfoerderung/bewerbung and review all current requirements
Step 2: Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements — particularly the German language certificate and nationality criteria
Step 3: Prepare your application documents including motivation letter, CV, transcripts, language certificate, and recommendation letters
Step 4: Complete the online application form and upload all required documents through the FES application system
Step 5: Submit your application within the appropriate deadline window for your degree type (see timing guide above)
Step 6: If shortlisted, you may be invited for an interview or assessment — the foundation evaluates academic excellence, civic engagement, and alignment with social democratic values
Step 7: Successful applicants are notified and begin receiving monthly payments from the agreed start date
Up to 40 scholarships per year are awarded through this program. Competition is selective, so a strong, well-prepared application is essential.
🎓 Important Dates
| Milestone | Timing |
| 📢 Applications Open | Rolling — year-round |
| 📬 Master’s (Winter Semester) Deadline | November 30 |
| 📬 Master’s (Summer Semester) Deadline | May 31 |
| 📬 Bachelor’s/Diploma/Staatsexamen | After Semester 1, up to 3 semesters before end |
| 📬 Medical Students | After Semester 4, by end of Semester 6 |
| 📣 Results | Communicated individually after review |
⚠️ Always check the official FES application page for the most current deadlines as these may be updated each cycle.
🎓 Why Apply — Why the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
The FES scholarship stands apart from most funding programs for a very important reason: it invests in people who want to change the world, not just academic performers alone. Here is why this is one of the best scholarships available for international students in Germany:
- No repayment — ever. Pure grant, not a loan
- €992/month is a meaningful stipend that genuinely covers living costs in Germany
- Health insurance included — one of the biggest costs for students in Germany, fully covered
- Open to all academic disciplines — not restricted to STEM or any specific field
- Non-material support is exceptional — seminars, workshops, thematic working groups, city-based scholar communities, and a lifelong alumni network
- The foundation has offices and partner networks across the globe, giving FES scholars an international platform
- Being an FES Scholar is a recognized mark of academic and civic distinction that strengthens your CV, PhD applications, and career prospects significantly
For more Germany scholarship opportunities, explore Fully Funded PhD Scholarships UK 2026 and Fully Funded Scholarships USA 2026
🎓 Official Source
Access all official information, application forms, and current deadlines directly through:
- 🌐 FES Scholarship Page: fes.de/studienfoerderung
- 📋 International Students Program: fes.de/studienfoerderung/grundfoerderung-fuer-auslaender-innen
- 🖥️ Apply Here: fes.de/studienfoerderung/bewerbung
- 📞 Contact: +49 228/883-7902 | stipendien@fes.de
- 📍 Address: Godesberger Allee 149, 53175 Bonn, Germany
Browse all scholarship opportunities: gradualin.com/category/scholarships/
🎓 Scholarship Summary
| Detail | Information |
| 🏛️ Organization | Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), Bonn, Germany |
| 🎓 Level | Bachelor, Master, Diploma, State Exam, PhD (separate program) |
| 💰 Monthly Stipend | €992 + health insurance |
| 👶 Child Allowance | €160/month additional |
| 🌍 Eligible Countries | Global South (Asia, Africa, Latin America), post-Soviet, Eastern EU |
| 📋 Fields | All academic disciplines |
| 🔁 Repayment | None |
| 🗓️ Application | Rolling (specific deadlines by degree type) |
| 🎟️ Scholarships/Year | Up to 40 |
