Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes Fellowships
German Academic Scholarship Foundation · All India
| Scheme Name | Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes Fellowships |
| Provided By | German Academic Scholarship Foundation |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes Fellowships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
€300/mo (approx. ₹9.2 Lakh+)
The scholarship provides a monthly study costs allowance of €300 (approximately 27,000 INR). Additionally, a need-based basic scholarship, calculated according to BAföG regulations, can be up to €855 per month (approximately 76,950 INR) to cover living expenses. For doctoral candidates, the monthly stipend is €1,750 (approximately 157,500 INR), which includes a €100 research allowance. Additional allowances are available for scholars with children, and subsidies for health and long-term care insurance (up to 50% of documented costs, maximum €100 per month for PhD students) may also be provided. All scholarship payments are non-repayable. Funding is also available for studies, research stays, or internships abroad.
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Nationality/Residency:
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German citizens.
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Citizens of an EEA member state.
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Students with citizenship of an EU member state or an EU accession candidate who are studying permanently in Germany and aiming to complete a degree here.
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Educational residents in Germany (e.g., those who obtained their higher education entrance qualification in Germany).
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For doctoral programs, nationality is generally irrelevant if the PhD is pursued at a German university where the thesis will be submitted. German citizens pursuing a PhD abroad may also apply under certain conditions.
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Students from Ukraine and Moldova are included in the EU/EU accession candidate rule since June 2022.
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Academic Performance:
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Must demonstrate outstanding academic success or exceptional academic/artistic talents.
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For doctoral scholarships, applicants should generally be among the top 10% of their year in terms of examination grades.
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Very good high school grades or above-average academic performance.
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Degree Level:
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Full-time students in their first degree (Bachelor's), consecutive Master's programs, or doctoral programs at state or state-recognized higher education institutions in Germany, or studying in an EU/Switzerland member state.
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Commitment & Interests:
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Demonstrated commitment to social causes, broad extra-curricular interests, social competence, communication and articulation skills, intellectual ability, dedication, and motivation.
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Age Limit:No age criteria are specified.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters, PhD |
| Course / Stream | Masters, PhD |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Academic transcripts/records (showing very good high school grades or above-average academic performance).
- ✓Official degree certificate or equivalent official confirmation of successful completion of studies (for Master's/Doctoral applicants).
- ✓Letter(s) of recommendation from professors or institutions (for nominated candidates).
- ✓Well-developed and academically convincing exposé outlining the doctoral research project (for PhD applicants).
- ✓Proof of acceptance into a doctoral program at a German university (for international PhD applicants).
- ✓Declaration on security-relevant aspects (for doctoral applications).
- ✓Relevant documentation for allowances (e.g., for children, health insurance, special circumstances).
Selection Process
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The selection process is highly rigorous, assessing applicants' intellectual ability, dedication, motivation, communication and articulation skills, social competence, social commitment, and broad range of interests. There are several paths to admission:
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Nomination:Students can be nominated by their school administration, university examination offices, or lecturers/professors.
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Self-application (for first and second-semester students): This involves a two-stage process. Candidates first take a cognitive ability test. Successful candidates then proceed to selection seminars, which may be held in person or digitally. School grades do not play a role in the initial self-application test.
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Application for Advanced Students and Doctoral Candidates: High-quality applicants (for PhD, with scientifically demanding dissertation projects and excellent degrees) apply directly, often with the support of their academic supervisors. The doctoral application process includes a pre-selection review of formal requirements and qualifications, followed by a main selection which involves expert reports and an interview.
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The Studienstiftung seeks individuals with exceptional academic or artistic talents and personal qualities who are expected to make an outstanding contribution to society.
Renewal Policy
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For undergraduate and Master's studies, funding is typically awarded for the entire standard period of study
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For doctoral scholarships, funding is initially granted for three years
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Upon application and subject to successful progress, the scholarship may be extended for up to six months, with a maximum funding period of 42 months
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For scholarship holders with children, this period can be extended to up to 54 months
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Previous periods of doctoral funding will be deducted from the maximum funding period.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Check Eligibility
Ensure you meet the academic, personal, and residency/nationality requirements for the scholarship.
- 2Choose Application Path
- Nomination: If you are a student, you can be nominated by your school principal, a university professor, or a university examination office. - Self-Application (for 1st and 2nd semester students): If you are in your first or second semester of an undergraduate program, you can apply directly through the self-application process, which typically involves a cognitive ability test. Registration usually opens in early winter (e.g., until February 12, 2026, for the 2026/2027 academic year). - Doctoral Application: Highly qualified PhD students can apply directly with the support of their supervisor. There are fixed 'calls' for applications, e.g., in October 2026, February 2027, June 2027, and October 2027 for selection meetings in 2027/2028.
- 3Prepare Documents
Gather all necessary documents, including academic transcripts, degree certificates (if applicable), and for doctoral candidates, a detailed exposé of your research project. Ensure recommendation letters adhere to guidelines.
- 4Submit Application
Follow the instructions on the official Studienstiftung website for your chosen application path. For self-application, register online for the cognitive ability test. For doctoral applications, submit your complete application package. Note that the application portal may have limited mobile device functionality.
- 5Selection Process
Participate in the selection process, which may include cognitive ability tests (for self-applicants) and selection seminars/interviews (for nominated students and doctoral candidates).
- 6Notification
Await notification of the decision on your application. Individual feedback on rejection is generally not provided.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Are international students eligible for the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes Fellowships for study in Germany?
Yes, international students can be eligible, especially for doctoral scholarships where nationality is irrelevant if the PhD is pursued at a German university. For undergraduate and Master's programs, students with citizenship of an EU member state or an EU accession candidate who are studying permanently in Germany and aiming for a degree here can apply. Additionally, 'educational residents in Germany' (e.g., those with a German Abitur) are eligible regardless of nationality.
What does the scholarship primarily cover?
The scholarship primarily provides financial support through a monthly study costs allowance (€300) and a need-based living expenses stipend (up to €855/month for students, €1,750/month for PhD candidates). It also offers extensive 'ideal' support, including a network of seminars, summer academies, language courses, and mentoring. Subsidies for health insurance and additional allowances for scholars with children are available. Tuition fees are generally not covered for public universities in Germany as they are often free, but some support for tuition fees can be provided for studies abroad.
Is there a minimum GPA or percentage required to apply?
While no specific percentage or GPA is strictly stated for all programs, applicants are expected to demonstrate 'outstanding academic success' or 'above-average academic performance.' For doctoral scholarships, it is generally desired that applicants are among the top 10% of their year in terms of examination grades. The selection process emphasizes not only grades but also intellectual ability, motivation, social commitment, and extracurricular interests.
When are the application deadlines for 2026/2027?
For self-applications by first and second-semester students, the registration period for 2026 typically runs until early February (e.g., February 12, 2026). For doctoral scholarships, there are multiple 'calls' for applications throughout the year. The schedule for 2026/2027 includes calls opening in October 2026, February 2027, June 2027, and October 2027, with corresponding selection meetings and earliest scholarship start dates in 2027 and 2028.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official German Academic Scholarship Foundation website before final submission.