If you are doing a PhD and look for a scholarship foundation with a denominational orientation, you will quickly come across the Cusanuswerk and the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst. Both support doctoral candidates, but they differ in requirements, application procedure and scholarship rate. This guide compares both foundations based on their guidelines.
Short answer: The Cusanuswerk supports Catholic, and the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst Protestant doctoral candidates. Both require a doctoral project, and the Cusanuswerk requires full-time doctoral study. The Cusanuswerk guidelines of 25 June 2026 state 1,650 euros per month, while the federal BMFTR maximum as of October 2026 is 1,750 euros. Last updated: October 2026.
Key points
- Denomination is a strict requirement: Catholic for the Cusanuswerk, Protestant for Villigst.
- Neither set of guidelines names an age limit.
- The Cusanuswerk pays regardless of parental income, while Villigst describes income-related funding.
- The application procedures differ: the Cusanuswerk uses an online portal, Villigst a written application followed by an interview.
- According to the Marburg list, the Avicenna Studienwerk offers PhD support, but its conditions are not documented here.
Cusanuswerk: requirements at a glance
The Cusanuswerk addresses doctoral candidates in full-time study whose dissertation project is in its early phase. The guidelines of 25 June 2026 name no age limit and explicitly encourage young mothers and fathers to apply. No specific type of degree or grade is required.
- Membership of the Catholic Church
- German citizenship, with exceptions for applicants with German language skills at level C1
- Admission to the doctorate at a state or state-recognised university. If it is not yet in place, a supervision commitment is enough, but admission must exist at the start of the scholarship at the latest.
- Certificates of all completed degree programmes with grades, ideally with a transcript of records
- If the dissertation builds on a final thesis, that thesis must be submitted afterwards
Registration is online, and the registration dates are on the Cusanuswerk homepage. Applicants upload documents as PDFs in the portal. Because activation after registration can take a few days, starting early is sensible.
Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst: requirements at a glance
Villigst requires a degree that qualifies for a doctorate and membership of a Protestant church. In justified cases exceptions are possible. The guidelines are undated, so check the current information on the foundation’s website before you decide. The application has several stages.
- Studies completed in good time, with a final grade of at least “good” (in law “fully satisfactory”)
- Foreign applicants need admission to a doctorate at a university in Germany
- Written application with personal form, two reports (one from the supervisor), outline, concept and timetable of the dissertation of 10 to 15 pages, two CVs and a copy of the final certificate
- Selection interview of about 30 minutes at several locations in Germany
The guidelines list application deadlines on 15 December for the winter semester and 15 June for the summer semester. As the document is undated, verify these dates before applying. Named benefits are a research allowance of 100 euros per month, travel cost reimbursement and a supplement for children under twelve. We do not state a total amount here, because the document shows no date.
Comparison at a glance
| Feature | Cusanuswerk (guidelines of 25 June 2026) | Villigst (guidelines, undated) |
|---|---|---|
| Denomination | Catholic Church | Protestant Church |
| Age limit | Not named in the guidelines | Not named in the guidelines |
| Parental income | Independent | Income-related |
| Full-time study | Required | Not explicitly named |
| Admission to the doctorate | Must exist by the start of the scholarship, supervision commitment sufficient beforehand | Required for foreign applicants |
| Basic scholarship | 1,650 euros per month per guidelines, BMFTR maximum as of October 2026: 1,750 euros | Named in the guidelines, not stated as a figure here |
| Research cost allowance | 100 euros per month | 100 euros per month |
| Child supplement | 155 euros for the first child, 50 euros for each additional child | Supplement for children under twelve, amount not named |
| Final grade | No specific grade required | At least “good” |
| Selection | Online portal with PDF documents | Written application and interview of about 30 minutes |
The table only reproduces what the guidelines state. Deviations from the current status are possible, so check each line before you apply. The figures come from the Cusanuswerk guidelines (in German) and the Villigst guidelines (in German). The Heinrich Böll Foundation figures on federal PhD scholarships are available here (in German).
Avicenna Studienwerk: only briefly
The Avicenna Studienwerk is not documented in this comparison by its own guidelines. The list of the University of Marburg names it with the target group of Muslim students and doctoral candidates and with PhD support. Conditions, deadlines and amounts are therefore not included here. The foundation’s own information is decisive. An overview of all foundations and their orientation is in our guide Scholarship Foundations for PhD Candidates.
Which one fits whom?
A denominational foundation only fits if you can prove the required membership. If you do not meet this condition, you cannot use that foundation, regardless of grades or project. The differences show mainly in admission, the selection procedure and whether parental income plays a role. Before you decide, write down your key details: denomination, admission status, full-time study and final grade. With this list you can check each guideline quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit?
Neither the Cusanuswerk nor Villigst names an age limit in their guidelines. The Cusanuswerk even explicitly encourages young mothers and fathers to apply. Full-time doctoral study remains a requirement at the Cusanuswerk.
Is a supervision commitment enough?
At the Cusanuswerk it is enough if admission to the doctorate is not yet in place. It must, however, be proven at the start of the scholarship at the latest. For Villigst, the guidelines require admission for foreign applicants.
Is the scholarship tax free?
That depends on the conditions of section 3 no. 44 EStG, that is, whether the funding comes from public money, serves research and does not exceed the required amount. Ask the foundation whether a specific scholarship is exempt. The basics are explained in our guide Is a Scholarship Taxable? Tax and Social Insurance.
How current is the information?
The Cusanuswerk guidelines are dated 25 June 2026. The Villigst document is undated. Deadlines and rates can change, so the current status on each foundation’s website always applies. Plan supplements and allowances only once they are confirmed there.
What to do next
- Check whether you can prove your denominational membership.
- Clarify your admission to the doctorate or the supervision commitment you need.
- Gather certificates and reports early, and for Villigst also the concept and timetable of the dissertation.
- Register in the Cusanuswerk portal in good time, because activation can take a few days.
Related guides
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
- How to Apply for a Scholarship: Tips That Impress
- PhD Funding: Position, Scholarship or Own Savings
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
Sources: Cusanuswerk: guidelines for classic PhD support, 25 June 2026 (in German); Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst: PhD support, undated (in German); University of Marburg: list of scholarship foundations, undated (in German); Heinrich Böll Foundation: scholarship rates, October 2026 (in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
