Scholarship Programmes Offered by Germany

By Sonia Azalia

Desire to take your education to the next level?

According to the latest Education at a Glance report from the OECD, Germany is now the world’s third leading destination for international study, with the number of international student mobility growing year by year.

Germany provides an excellent Higher Education System

Obtaining a higher degree education is now made easier as the country adapts the European Higher Education Area three cycle degree system, meaning that students can pursue a bachelor's, a master's, or even a post-doctorate degree in most universities. This is done to push for more international mobility.

The German educational philosophy is also characterized by an excellent balance of theoretical and practical approach to study. They are the home of the Humboldt model, which emphasizes strong links between teaching and research. This is also why Germany has diverse research institutions, and why they are popular amongst students worldwide as a destination to obtain their Master's and Doctoral. 

Germany is also increasingly becoming a popular destination to do research: Postdocs receive a high level of support, and a career in a German university is highly prized and represents the most popular route for postdocs and senior academics wishing to further their research. 

Opportunity for ASEAN students

Of course, a lot of considerations need to be made for international students, be it total costs, language requirements and duration of study, but, thanks to a funding programme by DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, or the German Academic Exchange Service), an opportunity to further one's education in Germany is made within reach.

We've listed below the scholarship programmes ASEAN students are able to participate in.

Find the list of universities in Germany, here.

Scholarship Programmes Offered in the field of Health, Science and Technology 

1. Sustainable Water Management: Study Scholarships and Research Grants for Foreigners

This programme is created out of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)'s concern towards the future of clean water, for population growth, water pollution and the increasing water consumption per capita have a strong impact on water quality, plus it will be more of a challenge with the unavoidable climate phenomena today such as expansive climate changes and change in land use, influencing global and regional water cycles. 

Participants with at least two years of professional experiences will spend two years immersing themselves in the thematic fields of this programme:

• Water and Energy
• Water and Health
• Water and Nutrition
• Water and Environment
• Water in Urban Areas

A monthly scholarship rate, insurances and travel allowance will be given.

For more information, click here.

2. Biodiversity & Health: Research Scholarship Programme for PhD Students, Postdocs, and Experts 

This programme gives out opportunities to young scientists to partake in innovative discovery and conservation of biodiversity, with the intent of supporting the sustainable development of new medical products. This programme also aims to strengthen the partnership between German and Indonesian research initiatives.

There are five thematic scholarship types with eight research projects. The duration of study will be based on the chosen projects. Click here for specific information about the subjects.

A monthly scholarship rate, insurances and travel allowance will be given.

For more information, click here.

Scholarship programmes in the field of Politics, Law and Social Science

1. Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance) 

This programme is open to well-qualified graduates with a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent) who wants to actively contribute in the political, social and economic field.

This programme is made out of the intention to support good governance and civil society structures in selected partner countries and regions. Through the training, knowledge and experience given, scholarship holders are expected to partake in the social, political and economic development of their home country, and in addition, become partners in the political and economic co-operation with Germany.

Participants are required knowledge of English (and German), political and social engagement, a convincing description of the subject-related and personal motivation for the study project in Germany and the expected benefit when returning to the home country. Also, the latest university degree should have been obtained during the six years prior to the application for the scholarship. Applicants cannot be considered if they have stayed in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application.

A monthly scholarship rate, also, in addition, an appropriate travel allowance and a study and research subsidy as well as rent subsidies and/or allowances for spouses and/or children where applicable will be given.

For more information, click here.

Scholarship programmes in the Field of Art

All of the programmes below funds participants for a duration of 10 months or 24 months, depending on the length of the chosen study programme or project. A monthly payment, travel allowance (unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding), one-off study allowance and health insurance will be given. Also, under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may also receive a monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance for accompanying members of family.

1. Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the field of Architecture 

Applicants who have gained a first university degree in the areas of Architecture, Interior Design, Monument Conservation, Urban Planning/Urban Development, Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Planning can apply. 

For more information, click here.

2.  Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Field of Music 

In this study programme, participants are able to complete either a Master's degree or postgraduate degree leading to a final qualification, or a complementary course that does not lead to a final qualification (not an undergraduate course). 

Extension of the scholarship is possible for particularly qualified candidates  if changing to a new stage in studies is intended (usually from a Master's degree to an advanced programme of study such as a concert exam or master class).

For more information, click here.

3.  Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Fields of Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film

In this programme, participants are able to complete either a Master's degree or postgraduate degree leading to a final qualification, or a complementary course that does not lead to a final qualification at a state or state-recognised German university of one's choice (not an undergraduate course). Keep in mind that this programme only funds projects in the artistic and creative area. 

For more information, click here.

4.  Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Field of the Performing Arts 

In this programme, participants get to complete either a Master's degree or postgraduate degree leading to a final qualification or a complementary course that does not lead to a final qualification (not an undergraduate course) at a state or state-recognised German university of your choice. Foreign applicants who have gained a first university degree in the field of the Performing Arts at the latest by the time they commence their scholarship-supported study programme can apply for this scholarship programme.

Keep in mind this programme only funds projects in the artistic field of the Performing Arts  such as Drama, Theatre Directing/Theatre Dramaturgy, Musicals, Performance Studies, Dance, Choreography). 

For more information, click here.

Scholarship programmes for graduates and undergraduates

1. Development-Related Postgraduate courses (EPOS)

The EPOS programme offers individual scholarships to 'young professionals', with a Bachelor degree and have at least two years' professional experience, from developing countries, so that they may study development-related postgraduate courses at selected universities in Germany.

With just at least two years of professional experience, foreign graduates are able to experience the chance to take a postgraduate or Master's degree at a state or state-recognised German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master's/PhD) in Germany. 

At present, postgraduate courses are offered in the following fields:

• Economic Sciences/ Business Administration/ Political Economics
• Development Cooperation
• Engineering and Related Sciences
• Mathematics
• Regional and Urban Planning
• Agricultural and Forest Sciences
• Natural and Environmental Sciences
• Medicine and Public Health
• Social Sciences, Education and Law
• Media Studies

Candidates are required to have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) in an appropriate subject, have at least two years' professional experience, fulfil the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany (above-average result for first academic exam – top performance third, language skills), and can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship.

The duration takes place for 12 months for Masters, 24 months for PhD.

Monthly payments of 750 euros for graduates or 1,000 euros for doctoral candidates, health insurance, travel allowance (unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding) will be provided.

For more information, click here.

Scholarship programmes for Doctorals and Postdoctorals

Germany is increasingly becoming a popular destination to do research: Postdocs receive a high level of support, and a career in a German university is highly prized and represents the most popular route for postdocs and senior academics wishing to further their research. 

During the postdoc phase, scholars are expected to work towards a professorship while carrying out teaching and administrative roles in the university, hence getting an abundant of experience. 

Below are the list of programmes:

1. Postodoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) 

This programme is initiated to to support the international mobility of postdoctoral researchers by temporary positions at German universities in place of conventional scholarships for 18 months, in which 12 months have to be spent abroad and 6 months (re-integration phase) at a German university. 

For more information, click here.

2. Leibniz-DAAD Research Fellowship Programme 

This programme, carried out in association with the Leibniz Association, gives out opportunities to highly-qualified, international postdoctoral researchers, who have recently completed their doctoral studies, to conduct research at at one Leibniz institute of their choice in Germany. 

Research are undertaken at the Leibniz research institutes listed below: 

• Section A: Humanities and Educational Research/Geisteswissenschaften und Bildungsforschung
• Section B: Economics, Social Sciences and Spatial Research/Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Raumwissenschaften
• Section C: Life Sciences/Lebenswissenschaften
• Section D: Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Engineering/Mathematik, Natur- und Ingenieurwissenschaften
• Section E: Environmental Sciences/Umweltwissenschaften

Fellowships can be awarded for 12 months, with a value of Fellowships include: a monthly instalment of €2,000, a combined health, accident and personal liability insurance as well as long-term care insurance in Germany, a research allowance of €460 per annum and a two months German language course in Germany (if desired).

Only 15 fellowships are awarded each year.

For more information, click here.

3. Research Grants

• Doctoral Programmes in Germany

This programme offers excellently-qualified young academics and scientists who have completed a Master's degree or Diploma, or in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree at the latest by the time they begin their grant-supported research, to carry out research and continue their education in Germany for a maximum of four years. 

The aim of this grant programme is to support doctoral projects in Germany and promote the exchange of experience and networking amongst colleagues.

There are funding programmes for various qualification phases and stages in a career. What will be funded is doctoral programmes at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education or a non-university research institute in Germany: Individual projects under the supervision of a university teacher or academic adviser or participation in a structured doctoral study programme.

Participants will be given monthly payments of €850 for graduates or €1,200 for doctoral candidates, payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover, travel allowance (unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding), and one-off research allowance. Also, under certain circumstances, grant holders completing an uninterrupted stay of over six months may receive additional benefits of monthly rent subsidy and monthly allowance for accompanying family members.

For more information, click here.

• One Year Grants (7 months to usually 10 months) 

• Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees (A total of no more than two years) 

4. Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists 

This programme support short-term research stays (one to three months) for university teachers, established foreign academics and scientists who have usually completed a doctoral degree and work at a university or research institute in their home country, thus promoting the exchange of experience and networking amongst colleagues. 

Participants will be given monthly payments of €2,000 euros for assistant teachers, assistant professors and lecturers, €2,150 euros for professors, and travel allowance (unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding).

For more information, click here.

5. DLR-DAAD Research Fellowship Programme 

This special programme gives out opportunity to highly-qualified foreign doctoral and postdoctoral students as well as senior scientists to do research and development work in  Aeronautics, Space, Transportation and Energy. Check out this page to view the complete course list offered by each field

The duration takes place as so: 

• Type A - Doctoral Students: 36 months
• Type B - Postdoctoral Students: 6 to 24 months
• Type C - Senior Scientists: 1 to 3 months

For more information, click here.

So, which programme will you choose?

If you would like to ask your questions regarding the scholarship programmes in person to the representatives, you could attend EHEF Indonesia 2018 this November! Register here!