Germany Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) extends a distinguished invitation to ambitious international scholars across the globe to vie for its renowned scholarship scheme for the 2026 academic year in Germany. This fully financed fellowship opens its doors to undergraduates, postgraduates, and doctoral aspirants across nearly every academic spectrum.
Details:
- Fully Funded
- Germany Universities
- Bachelor, Masters, PhD
- All Subjects
- International Students
- Germany
With up to 40 coveted awards granted annually, the FES initiative not only waives tuition burdens but also integrates recipients into enriching seminar circles designed to refine intellectual acumen and strengthen social engagement. High-performing students with evident commitment to scholarship are strongly encouraged to apply and begin a transformational academic voyage in Germany.
Academic Levels
The 2026 FES Fellowship extends its support to diverse tiers of study within German institutions:
-
Bachelor’s / Diploma / State Examination – tailored for students undertaking their initial academic qualification.
-
Master’s / Postgraduate Programs – extended to those accepted into accredited graduate-level studies.
-
Doctoral Studies (PhD) – reserved for research candidates with proven scholarly strength and dedication to civic values.
(Excluded areas: preliminary stages of medical studies, vocational courses such as physiotherapy, and postdoctoral endeavors.)
Eligible Disciplines
Unlike many funding programs, the FES scholarship embraces all academic domains, including artistic and creative tracks. Students in Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, Economics, Law, Arts, and beyond may apply.
Priority, however, is often placed upon:
-
Scholars in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
-
Students at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen).
-
First-generation learners — those blazing the trail as the first in their families to attend university.
-
Women and applicants from immigrant or underrepresented communities.
Scholarship Benefits
The FES fellowship is revered for offering one of the most holistic support structures among German funding schemes:
-
€934 monthly stipend for undergraduates.
-
€1,200 monthly stipend for Master’s and postgraduate students.
-
Family supplement of €276 per month (where applicable).
-
Reimbursement of health insurance contributions.
-
Comprehensive access to academic mentoring, seminars, workshops, and networking platforms.
Unlike many scholarships that restrict themselves to financial aid, FES invests in personal cultivation, professional growth, and civic consciousness.
(Note: any personal earnings above €400/month will be deducted from the stipend.)
Exclusions – What the Scholarship Does Not Fund
The FES scheme does not cover:
-
Brief academic sojourns abroad or exchanges outside the EU.
-
Short-format Master’s programs (e.g., two-semester tracks).
-
Final phases of degree completion.
-
Postdoctoral research.
-
Professional training programs such as psychotherapy, physiotherapy, or unfinished medical studies.
-
Language preparation courses or second degrees.
Who May Apply
The fellowship welcomes both German nationals and international students, provided they meet stipulated conditions:
-
German citizens.
-
Foreigners with a German university entrance qualification (e.g., Abitur).
-
Refugees residing within Germany.
-
International students already studying in Germany (Bachelor candidates must have completed at least one set of graded coursework).
Note: Overseas applications from students not currently in Germany will not be accepted.
Eligibility Prerequisites
-
University Admission: Proof of enrollment or admission to an accredited German university/technical college.
-
Language Proficiency: Non-native applicants must evidence adequate German language mastery.
-
Application Timelines:
-
First-Year Students: Applications are permissible before or during the initial semester.
-
PhD Candidates: Must provide unconditional admission confirmation.
-
Foreign PhD Applicants: In addition to acceptance, demonstrable German fluency is mandatory.
-
Application Pathway
-
Step 1: Online Submission
Begin with the FES online form, centered on personal and educational background. No supporting documents are required initially. Applicants can consult FES’s network of 480 academic lecturers for preliminary guidance. -
Step 2: Submission of Documents
Promising candidates will be asked via email to supply further materials, including:-
Two reference reports: undergraduates submit teacher references; graduates and PhD applicants provide professor references.
-
Academic transcripts and proof of social-political involvement.
Applicants are given a three-week window to upload these documents; however, references may take up to six weeks, thus early preparation is crucial.
-
-
Step 3: Interviews
Shortlisted candidates undergo two discussions:-
The first with a lecturer familiar with their discipline.
-
The second with a member of the FES selection committee.
-
-
Step 4: Final Decision
The scholarship committee convenes periodically throughout the year to render final verdicts and issue acceptance notifications.
Additional Resources:
Other Opportunities Mentioned:
- DAAD Scholarship 2026 Germany | Application Process | Fully Funded
- Flinders University AGRTP Scholarship 2026 in Australia | Fully Funded
- Vice Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship 2025 in New Zealand
- KAIST Scholarships in South Korea 2025-26 [Fully Funded]
- Salford University Scholarships in UK 2025-26
- Kent Business School UK Deans Excellence Scholarship Award 2025
- Hokkaido University Japan MEXT Scholarship 2025
- University of Winnipeg Canada President’s Scholarship 2025
- University of Exeter Scholarships in UK 2025-26
- Griffith University Australia John Willett International Scholarship 2026
- GIST Scholarships in South Korea [Fully Funded] 2026