Germany just opened one of Europe’s most exciting AI scholarships — and it pays €934 every month straight to your account. The SECAI Scholarship 2026, offered jointly by TU Dresden and Leipzig University, is designed for outstanding Master’s students who want to build their career in Artificial Intelligence at two of Germany’s leading research universities. The deadline is June 30, 2026, and early-selection rounds are already underway. If you are serious about studying AI in Europe, this is your moment — and this complete Gradualin guide will walk you through every detail.
📋 Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Program | SECAI Scholarship 2026 |
| Universities | TU Dresden & Leipzig University |
| Country | Germany 🇩🇪 |
| Degree Level | Master’s (M.Sc. / M.A. / LL.M. / Diplom) |
| Funding Type | Monthly Stipend (Partially Funded — Living Expenses) |
| Monthly Amount | €934 per month |
| Deadline | June 30, 2026 (Early rounds: April 19 & May 19) |
| Open To | International & Domestic Students |
| Official Website | secai.org/students/scholarships |
🎓 What is the SECAI Scholarship?
The School of Embedded Composite Artificial Intelligence (SECAI) is a landmark joint initiative between Technische Universität (TU) Dresden and Leipzig University — two universities that together shape the future of AI research in Central Europe. SECAI was established to bring together computer science, engineering, mathematics, social sciences, law, medicine, and the natural sciences under one AI-focused academic umbrella.
This is not just a scholarship — it is an invitation to join a thriving research ecosystem. SECAI integrates university studies, cutting-edge academic research, and real-world industrial applications. Scholars benefit from professional networking, research mentorship, and connections to some of Germany’s most prominent AI research centers, including ScaDS.AI, cfaed, ICCL, and EKFZ.
What makes this scholarship stand out on the Gradualin radar is its genuinely interdisciplinary spirit. You do not have to be a computer scientist to apply. Students of law, psychology, medicine, and the social sciences — as long as their work connects to AI — are actively welcomed.
🎓 Scholarship Benefits — What You Receive
Here is the best part: the SECAI Scholarship is designed to remove financial stress so you can focus entirely on your studies and research.
- 💰 Monthly Stipend: €934 per month (approximately $1,010 USD at current exchange rates)
- 👨👩👧 Family Allowance: Foreign students may be entitled to an additional monthly family allowance (verify exact amount on official website)
- 📅 Duration: Covers the full remaining duration of your Master’s program based on the model study plan (Regelstudienzeit)
- 🎓 Research Access: Full access to SECAI’s research groups, labs, and academic events
- 🌐 Professional Network: Connection to SECAI Fellows, industrial partners, and Germany’s leading AI research centers
- 📋 Income Flexibility: You may earn additional income up to €603 gross per month without any reduction to your scholarship
To put this in context — €934 per month covers comfortable living costs in Dresden or Leipzig, both of which are among Germany’s most affordable university cities. This is equivalent to approximately $12,000+ per year in living support.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, confirm that you meet all of the following requirements:
- ✅ You are currently enrolled, or will soon be enrolled, in a Master’s-level program at TU Dresden or Leipzig University
- ✅ You can apply simultaneously for the scholarship and a Master’s program admission — two independent applications are allowed
- ✅ Your field of study must be closely related to SECAI’s AI research areas
- ✅ You must have a cumulative GPA of 1.7 or better (after conversion to the German grading system) — exceptions are possible for adverse personal circumstances
- ✅ Women in STEM fields are especially encouraged to apply
- ✅ Students who have faced systematic disadvantage, persecution, or are refugees of war are given special consideration
⚠️ No specific IELTS/TOEFL requirement is listed for the scholarship itself — language requirements depend on your chosen Master’s program at TU Dresden or Leipzig University (verify on official website).
🎓 Eligible Study Programs
SECAI directly lists the following programs as eligible. If your program is not listed, you may still qualify if your coursework or thesis topic is AI-focused.
At TU Dresden:
- M.Sc. Computer Science
- M.Sc. Computational Modeling and Simulation (tracks: Applied Artificial Intelligence & Computational Life Science)
- M.Sc. Nanoelectronic Systems
- LL.M. International Studies in Intellectual Property Law and Data Law
- M.A. programs with a focus on human and societal dimensions of AI
At Leipzig University:
- M.Sc. Data Science
- M.Sc. Bioinformatics (Bioinformatik)
- M.Sc. Medical Informatics (Medizininformatik)
- M.Sc. Psychology with a focus on socio-technical systems and human-machine interaction
- M.A. studies focused on AI’s human and societal dimensions
Other Eligible Programs (any university level):
- M.Sc. or Diplom in Computer Science
- LL.M. with a focus on legal aspects of AI
Students in German Diplom programs are considered Master level after completing the first two years (Grundstudium).
🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not
✅ Apply if you…
- Are pursuing or planning to pursue a Master’s degree at TU Dresden or Leipzig University
- Have excellent academic results (GPA 1.7 or better in the German system)
- Are working in AI, computer science, data science, bioinformatics, AI law, or related fields
- Want to focus fully on research without financial pressure
- Are a woman in a STEM field — you are especially encouraged here
❌ Don’t apply if you…
- Are applying for a Bachelor’s or PhD program (this scholarship is Master’s level only)
- Are not enrolled or planning to enroll at TU Dresden or Leipzig University
- Have a GPA below the required threshold with no special circumstances
- Are studying in a field with no connection to AI or SECAI’s research areas
🎓 Required Documents
The official application is submitted through the SECAI online portal. Based on standard scholarship applications of this type, you will likely need (verify on official website):
- Completed online application form
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter / Statement of Purpose
- Proof of enrollment or admission letter from TU Dresden / Leipzig University
- Reference letters (if required)
- Proof of any special circumstances (if applicable)
- Passport / ID copy
🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process
Follow these steps to submit a strong application:
- Check your eligibility — Confirm your GPA, program, and enrollment status
- Prepare your documents — Gather transcripts, CV, and motivation letter in advance
- Apply for your Master’s program (if not yet enrolled) — You can apply for both simultaneously
- Visit the official SECAI page: secai.org/students/scholarships
- Click “Apply Here” — This redirects to the official application form hosted on Bildungsportal Sachsen
- Complete the online form carefully and upload all required documents
- Submit before your target deadline — Earlier is better for early-selection rounds
- Wait for selection results — The committee reviews applications on a rolling basis for early rounds
Pro tip: Apply before May 19 if you want to be considered for early selection across all study programs. Don’t wait until June 30 — outstanding candidates may be selected before the final deadline.
🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines
| Date | Event |
| April 1, 2026 | Application window opens |
| ⭐ June 30, 2026 | Final deadline — ALL applications |
Bookmark this page and check back for updates — the official SECAI website may adjust timelines without prior notice.
🎓 Why Study AI in Germany — TU Dresden & Leipzig
Here is what makes Germany, and specifically Dresden and Leipzig, a genuinely exciting destination for AI students:
TU Dresden is one of Germany’s eleven Excellence Universities — a distinction given to only the top research institutions in the country. It is home to world-leading research centers including the Centre for Tactile Internet (CeTI) and cfaed, the Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden.
Leipzig University, founded in 1409, is one of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world. Its bioinformatics, data science, and medical informatics programs attract international talent year after year.
Dresden and Leipzig are two of Germany’s most liveable, affordable, and culturally rich cities. Monthly living costs — rent, food, transport — are significantly lower than Munich or Berlin, meaning your €934 stipend goes a long way. Both cities have vibrant international student communities, English-language events, and excellent rail connections across Europe.
Beyond the classroom, SECAI connects students to industrial partners and a growing network of AI professionals and researchers — the kind of professional network that can define your career trajectory.
🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I apply if I haven’t been admitted to TU Dresden or Leipzig University yet? A: Yes. You can apply for the SECAI Scholarship in parallel with applying for a Master’s program. These are two independent applications, and both can happen at the same time.
Q: Is IELTS required for this scholarship? A: The scholarship itself does not list a specific IELTS requirement. However, your chosen Master’s program at TU Dresden or Leipzig University may have English or German language requirements. Verify with the individual program before applying.
Q: What happens if my GPA is below 1.7 in the German system? A: Exceptions may be made for adverse personal circumstances, such as systematic disadvantage, persecution, or refugee status. The Selection Committee reviews applications holistically.
Q: How long does the scholarship last? A: The scholarship covers the full remaining duration of your Master’s program according to the model study plan. The exact duration can be adjusted by the Selection Committee based on budget and your study progress.
Q: Can I earn money while receiving the scholarship? A: Yes. You can earn up to €603 gross per month in additional income without any reduction to your €934 monthly stipend. Income above this threshold will lead to a proportional reduction.
Q: Is this scholarship open to students from all countries? A: Yes. The scholarship targets international students and actively works to improve internationalization and diversity. No nationality restrictions are mentioned — all qualified students at TU Dresden or Leipzig University are eligible.
🎓 Official Links & Resources
- 🌐 Official Scholarship Page: secai.org/students/scholarships
- 📋 Apply Here: Bildungsportal Sachsen Application Form
- 📄 Scholarship Regulations PDF: Download Here
- 🏫 TU Dresden: tu-dresden.de
- 🏫 Leipzig University: uni-leipzig.de
📋 Complete Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Scholarship Name | SECAI Scholarship 2026 |
| Offered By | TU Dresden & Leipzig University |
| Country | Germany 🇩🇪 |
| Degree Level | Master’s (M.Sc., M.A., LL.M., Diplom) |
| Funding | €934/month stipend + possible family allowance |
| Duration | Full remaining duration of Master’s program |
| GPA Requirement | 1.7 or better (German system) |
| IELTS Required | Not specified for scholarship (check program) |
| Open To | All nationalities; international students welcome |
| Women in STEM | Especially encouraged to apply |
| Application Mode | Online via Bildungsportal Sachsen |
| Early Deadline 1 | April 19, 2026 (LL.M. program) |
| Early Deadline 2 | May 19, 2026 (All programs) |
| Final Deadline | June 30, 2026 |
| Official Link | secai.org/students/scholarships |
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