A Begabtenförderungswerk, the German term for a scholarship foundation for gifted students, is a foundation that receives federal funding and supports especially high-achieving students and doctoral candidates with scholarships. The term appears wherever funding is discussed, but it is not always used precisely. This glossary explains what it means, how the foundations differ and what to check before you apply.
Short answer: A Begabtenförderungswerk is a foundation that awards scholarships to gifted students and doctoral candidates with federal funds. There are 13 such foundations. They differ in orientation, selection process and deadlines. For doctoral candidates, the Heinrich Böll Foundation reports (status October 2026) a basic scholarship of up to 1,750 euros per month for BMFTR-funded scholarships.
The most important points
- Begabtenförderungswerke are foundations that award scholarships with federal funds.
- There are 13 of them. They differ in affiliation, selection process and deadlines.
- You apply directly to the foundation, not through your university.
- For doctoral candidates, the basic scholarship is usually supplemented by allowances for research and family.
- Whether you fit depends on the foundation’s profile, not only on your grade average.
What does the term mean?
Begabtenförderungswerk is a collective term for the foundations that receive federal funding and award scholarships. In everyday speech they are also called Begabtenwerke or Studienwerke. The institutions are the same. A scholarship from your own university or a German state is governed by different rules and does not belong to this group.
What types of foundations are there?
The 13 foundations can be grouped loosely by their closeness to social and political groups. This grouping says nothing about the quality of the support, but it helps with the choice.
| Type | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Non-partisan | Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes | Selection process, deadlines, funding period |
| Party-affiliated | Konrad Adenauer, Friedrich Ebert, Heinrich Böll, Friedrich Naumann, Hanns Seidel and Rosa Luxemburg foundations | Whether your profile fits and what affiliation is expected |
| Trade-union affiliated | Hans Böckler Foundation | Link to working life and trade unions |
| Church-affiliated | Cusanuswerk, Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst | Denomination and commitment according to the rules |
| Business-affiliated | Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft | Link to business and society |
| Other foundations | Avicenna-Studienwerk, Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk | Own rules, check the profile on the website |
How does the application work?
- Check which foundation fits your field, your commitment and your background.
- Read the guidelines and selection criteria. They differ considerably.
- Watch the deadlines. Many foundations have fixed dates each year.
- Prepare your CV, certificates and motivation letter. A reference is often required as well.
- Expect a selection interview or selection day, depending on the foundation.
What does a foundation pay for doctoral candidates?
According to the Heinrich Böll Foundation, status October 2026, BMFTR-funded doctoral scholarships include a basic scholarship of up to 1,750 euros per month, a research cost allowance of 100 euros and a family allowance of 155 euros. Other foundations use the same BMFTR rates. Still, check the details of the foundation you are applying to. A comparison of funding routes is available in our guide Promotion finanzieren (in German).
| Item | Amount per month (status October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Basic scholarship (maximum) | 1,750 euros |
| Research cost allowance | 100 euros |
| Family allowance | 155 euros |
| Total if all items apply | 2,005 euros |
Calculation example. Assumption: you receive all three items in full. Then the total is 2,005 euros per month and 24,060 euros per year. Actual support depends on the foundation, its guidelines and your personal situation.
Is the Studienstiftung a Begabtenförderungswerk?
Yes. The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes is one of these foundations. When people speak of the Studienstiftung, they mean one of the 13 foundations. The rules of the others differ, so it is worth comparing before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctorate to apply to a foundation?
That depends on the foundation and the funding area. Some support both students and doctoral candidates, others only one phase. The call for applications states which phase is covered.
Can I apply to several foundations?
The foundations set their own rules. Read the application conditions before you submit several applications, because some foundations exclude parallel applications.
Does affiliation with a party or union matter?
This varies by foundation. The guidelines state whether such a closeness is expected. Do not assume anything without checking.
Is a good grade average enough?
The grade is one criterion, but usually not the only one. Many foundations also assess commitment, motivation and research idea. A place is therefore not decided by the grade alone.
Related reading
- Promotion in Deutschland: Wege, Dauer, Finanzierung und Doktortitel (in German)
- Promotion finanzieren: Stelle, Stipendium oder Eigenmittel im Vergleich (in German)
- Stipendium im Studium finden: Arten, Anbieter und Voraussetzungen (in German)
- Stipendium bewerben: So überzeugst du die Auswahlgremien (in German)
- Promotionsordnung verstehen: Die wichtigsten Regeln
Sources: Heinrich Böll Foundation, scholarship rates (PDF, in German), status October 2026 and Destatis, press release on doctorates in 2025 (in German), 2 October 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
