The Hans Böckler Foundation supports students who show very good to good results and social or trade union commitment. This guide explains which grade requirement the foundation names, when you can apply and which funding components the status of January 2026 lists.
Short answer: The Hans Böckler Foundation names no specific grade but requires very good to good results and commitment. The deadline for the winter semester is 1 February, for the summer semester 1 August. According to the website, the basic scholarship is up to 855 euros per month, plus a 300 euro study cost allowance (as of January 2026, reference values of the BMFTR funds).
The most important points
- Grade requirement: very good to good results, no specific grade named.
- Commitment: the foundation expects trade union and social policy commitment.
- Deadlines: 1 February for the winter semester, 1 August for the summer semester.
- Application window: according to the website, it opens about two months before the deadline.
- Funding: up to 855 euros basic scholarship, 300 euro study cost allowance and, according to the website, partial grants towards health and long-term care insurance.
Which results and which commitment does the foundation expect?
The foundation describes the grade requirement as a range rather than a fixed threshold: very good to good results. Commitment comes on top. According to the website, trade union and social policy commitment is expected. If you have no commitment of this kind, clarify the requirement with the foundation in advance. The website names no income criteria.
| Point | Information on the website | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Grade requirement | very good to good results | January 2026 |
| Commitment | trade union and social policy | January 2026 |
| Age limit | not named | January 2026 |
| Nationality | not named | January 2026 |
| Income criteria | not named | January 2026 |
When can you apply?
According to the website, the deadlines fall on 1 February for the winter semester and 1 August for the summer semester. The application windows usually open two months before. You can apply before the start of studies or within the first semesters. If you start in your first semester, keep the deadline in mind before term begins.
- Set a reminder for 1 February and 1 August so that you do not start too late.
- Check two months before whether the application window is open and start with the documents.
- Read the foundation’s 2026 leaflet as a PDF (in German).
- Clarify the social commitment you want to mention before you write your cover letter.
How high is the funding at the Hans Böckler Foundation?
According to the website, the basic scholarship is up to 855 euros per month. The study cost allowance is currently 300 euros per month. In some cases there are partial grants towards health and long-term care insurance. These figures come from the website with the status of January 2026. Check them again before you apply.
| Funding component | Amount according to the website | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Basic scholarship | up to 855 euros per month | income-based under BAföG rules |
| Study cost allowance | 300 euros per month | currently, not income-based |
| Grant towards health and long-term care insurance | partial | amount decided case by case |
Assumption: you start in the winter semester and receive the basic scholarship of 855 euros and the study cost allowance of 300 euros over twelve months. That makes 13,860 euros per year. We do not include the grant towards health and long-term care insurance, because its amount is set in each individual case.
Does the funding fit your life?
The Hans Böckler Foundation suits you if you bring social or trade union commitment and can keep two fixed deadlines per year. It suits you less well if you cannot show commitment in the sense the foundation expects, or if you only need a short bridge.
- Likely suitable: you are committed and can meet two fixed deadlines per year.
- Likely less suitable: you need a one-off bridge or cannot show commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply during my studies?
Yes, according to the website an application is possible before the start of studies or within the first semesters. Mind the deadline: with 1 February and 1 August the rhythm is tight, so it pays to start early.
Is trade union commitment mandatory?
The website expects trade union and social policy commitment. It does not explicitly name it as a formal obligation. How strongly your commitment is weighted is a question of selection, which you can clarify with the foundation.
Is there an income limit?
The website names no income limit. However, the amount of the basic scholarship depends on your countable income, because it follows BAföG rules. For a classification see Is a Scholarship Taxable? Tax and Social Insurance.
Where can I find the leaflet on funding?
The leaflet “Stipendien 2026” is available as a PDF. Read it alongside the website’s details so you can compare the figures.
What applies to doctorates?
The website statements we checked say nothing about doctorates. The BMFTR rates for doctorates are up to 1,750 euros basic scholarship per month (as of October 2026). Check with the foundation whether it applies them. The guide Promotion finanzieren: Stelle, Stipendium oder Eigenmittel im Vergleich (in German) explains how to finance a doctorate.
What to do next
- Note the deadlines 1 February and 1 August and the opening of the application window two months earlier.
- Read the 2026 leaflet of the foundation and check the current figures on the website.
- Clarify your commitment before you start the cover letter.
- Compare the funding with other scholarship foundations, for example with Friedrich Ebert Foundation: Scholarship, Application and Funding.
Related guides
- Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung: Stipendium, Bewerbung und Förderung
- Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes: Bewerbung, Auswahl und Förderung
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
- Is a Scholarship Taxable? Tax and Social Insurance
Sources: Hans Böckler Foundation, leaflet Stipendien 2026 (PDF, in German), Heinrich Böll Foundation, scholarship rates (as of October 2026, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
