The Scholarship Programme of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
The promotion of young talent has been one of the founding principles of the FES.
At the time when Friedrich Ebert was elected as the first president of the Weimar Republic, it was almost impossible for talented children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to study at universities or take part in research programmes. With the foundation of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in 1925, the first scholarships were awarded to particularly talented young individuals from a working class milieu who were taking an active part in the young democracy of the Weimar Republic.
To address social disadvantages by supporting students who actively work for freedom, justice and social cohesion in their commitment to social democracy, or will do so in future, continues to be one of the aims of the FES.
Who is eligible
For the FES, service to the common good deserves recognition. It is therefore not only the applicants' academic achievement but their social and political involvement and personal attitudes that play an important part in the selection process.
This year, about 2.700 students and postgraduates will receive a grant from FES.
International Students
The FES also supports foreign applicants who are already studying, or doing their postgraduate studies, in Germany at the time of application. Up to 40 students from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe may qualify for the scholarship programme every year with the exception of those who are already receiving some support from public sources.
Eligibility criteria
The FES supports
- all academic subjects
- students from public or state-approved universities and from universities of applied sciences/polytechnical colleges (FH)
- postgraduate programmes (PhD)
The FES does not support
- second degree courses
- study visits outside Germany
- final phases of academic studies
- postgraduate courses in medicine
Time of application
Please note that the FES can only award scholarships to applicants from abroad who have already enrolled in a German university or have a supervisor for their doctoral studies.
Students are expected to be living in Germany before they apply and have to provide proof of an adequate command of the German language by submitting a language proficiency certificate ( C 1, TestDAF) – supplementary sheet.
At the time of application, foreign students should be able to submit proof of their initial academic achievements/marks with the exception of those enrolled in Master or other postgraduate programmes.
Applications will be accepted no later than
- diploma / magister / state examination: by the end of 6th semester
- Bachelor/ undergraduate programmes: until 3 semesters before finishing the standard period of study (if 6 semesters by the end of 3rd semester; if 7 semesters by the end of 4rd semester)
- postgraduate/ Master programmes: by the end of 1st semester
Since foreign scholarship holders will receive an extensive social and political side programme, German language proficiency is crucial even when the study programme itself (M/B) is carried out in English.
We do not support foreign students from Western European countries at present, but only those from the developing countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
The Procedure
- duration of application process:
4-7 months - mode of application:
1. self-application
Please use the "Online-Bewerbung" on the Internet – in German only! supplementary sheet
2. individual interviews
In a second step, selected candidates will be invited to two individual interviews. The first interview will be conducted by one of the lecturers from the FES, and the second interview by one of the members of the FES scholarship committee (AWA). Two reports are written on the basis of these interviews and presented to the AWA.
3. discussion and final decision by the AWA
The AWA will eventually make a final decision about your application. The AWA is an independent body composed of university lecturers as well as other persons from the fields of science, politics, art and media. The committee meets at least three times a year. The AWA will discuss every application at great length and then make the final decision.
4. written notification
You will be notified of the AWA's decision.