Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Scholarship 2026: Deadline, Eligibility, Benefits

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a foundation affiliated with Germany's Social Democratic Party, runs a scholarship programme for students already enrolled at a state or state-recognised German university, university of applied sciences or equivalent institution. Unlike scholarships aimed at bringing students to Germany, this programme requires applicants to already be studying there at the time of application; bachelor's applicants must submit their first graded coursework results, and all applicants must demonstrate proof of adequate German language skills, since the application itself is conducted in German. Selection weighs academic performance alongside social and political engagement and alignment with the foundation's social democratic values, and the foundation gives particular consideration to women, students in STEM fields, students at universities of applied sciences, first-generation university students and students from immigrant backgrounds. Funding pays EUR 992 a month for students on the standard scholarship programme and EUR 1,500 a month for postgraduate scholarship holders, plus a family allowance of EUR 276 a month for those with dependants and reimbursement of health insurance costs; personal income above roughly EUR 400 a month reduces the scholarship amount. Deadlines depend on the applicant's stage of study: those working toward a Diploma or State Examination apply by the end of their sixth semester, bachelor's students apply up to three semesters before expected graduation, and master's or postgraduate students apply by the end of their first semester of that programme. Because this scholarship supports students already studying in Germany, a Bangladeshi student would typically need to have already secured admission and enrolled before applying.