Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships (Germany)

About this scholarship

The Heinrich Böll Foundation, affiliated with the German Green movement, awards scholarships to outstanding graduate and doctoral students — including international students from the EU and from DAC (developing) countries — studying at recognised German higher-education institutions. Undergraduate applications from international students are not possible; the program is for master's-level study and PhDs. Financially it is generous: a base scholarship of €992 per month, plus optional components including reimbursement of tuition fees up to €10,000 per year, fees for German-language courses, and a fixed fringe benefit of €38 per month. Beyond grades, the Foundation looks for social and political engagement aligned with its values of ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, and self-determination, assessing each application individually within the applicant's overall biographical context (no fixed minimum GPA). International applicants must demonstrate good or very good German (at least B2 level or DSH1), since the accompanying seminar and mentoring program is conducted in German. Applications are submitted online only, in two cycles per year with deadlines of 1 March and 1 September, and the multi-stage selection includes written documents with a personal reference on social commitment and an academic reference from a university lecturer.

Eligibility

• Be a graduate or doctoral student from outside Germany (EU or DAC country)
• Be enrolled (or about to enrol) at a recognised German higher-education institution (no undergraduate for internationals)
• Demonstrate very good academic performance and social/political engagement
• Have good or very good German (at least B2 / DSH1)
• Apply online by the 1 March or 1 September deadline with the required references