The Deutschlandstipendium (German scholarship programme) supports high-achieving and committed students at state and state-recognised universities in Germany. The grant is 300 euros a month and does not depend on your parents’ income. This guide explains who can apply, how the process works and what to check before you submit an application.
Short answer: The Deutschlandstipendium pays 300 euros a month. Half comes from private donors and half from the federal government. It is not means-tested and requires excellent grades plus commitment. You apply to your university, which also makes the selection. Last updated: October 2026 (Federal Funding Database).
The Essentials at a Glance
- The scholarship is 300 euros a month. 150 euros come from private funders such as companies, foundations, alumni or individuals, and the federal government covers the rest.
- It is a grant without an income test. What counts is performance, social commitment and personality.
- Your university selects the recipients, not the state. It sets the procedure, advertises the places and receives applications.
- The funding usually runs for at least two semesters and at most until the standard period of study ends. After each year, the university checks whether you still meet the conditions.
- Doctoral candidates and students at federal or administrative universities with trainee pay are excluded.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to enrolled students at universities that offer it. Not every university takes part, and the number of places is limited. An application therefore always goes through the university where you study or will study. If you are looking more broadly, the guide on scholarships for students in Germany covers providers outside the university as well.
Outstanding grades are a requirement. Added to this are social commitment, personality, personal obstacles you have overcome and particular social or family circumstances. Good grades alone are not enough, and a difficult background alone is not enough either. The university weighs both according to its own procedure.
How Does the Application Work?
- Check the website of your university to see whether it offers the Deutschlandstipendium and whether a call is currently open.
- Put your documents together. The call lists the required evidence, which usually includes grades and a description of your commitment.
- Describe concrete activities with scope and period. General statements about motivation carry little weight in the selection.
- Submit the application before the deadline. Each university sets its own deadlines and documents, so there is no nationwide date.
- Keep the evidence ready that you must present during the funding period, such as proof of progress in your studies.
What Do You Actually Receive?
The monthly amount is fixed. The example below shows the sums over a period. It is based on an assumption and is not a promise.
| Period | Monthly | Private share | Federal share | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One semester (assumption: 6 months) | 300 euros | 150 euros per month | 150 euros per month | 1,800 euros |
| Two semesters (assumption: 12 months) | 300 euros | 150 euros per month | 150 euros per month | 3,600 euros |
The grant does not depend on income. How your university arranges payment is set out in the notice of award. The Deutschlandstipendium is a different instrument from a scholarship of a Begabtenförderungswerk (a German scholarship foundation for gifted students), which follows its own rules. The next section explains the differences.
How Does It Differ From Foundation Scholarships?
The Begabtenförderungswerke award scholarships under their own procedures, often with additional non-material support such as seminars and networks. The rates financed by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space are oriented to BAföG. According to the Heinrich Böll Foundation (status October 2026), the maximum rate for studies is 855 euros a month, income-dependent under BAföG rules, plus a non-income-dependent study cost allowance of 300 euros.
The Deutschlandstipendium is simpler: a fixed amount, one university as the point of contact and no income-based scale. For many students it is a supplement to other funding rather than a replacement.
What Happens After the First Year?
The funding is tied to conditions that apply throughout the whole period. The university checks each year whether you still meet them. If proof of progress is missing or your studies are significantly delayed, the funding can end. Plan not only the application but also the evidence for the entire period.
Common Mistakes With the Application
- Missing the deadline because it is not published centrally. Ask the scholarship office of your university directly.
- Listing commitment without describing what you did and what came of it.
- Submitting incomplete documents. Check the call’s checklist twice.
- Leaving out obstacles that matter in your case. The selection explicitly considers overcome hurdles.
The figures help put the grant in context. The Deutschlandstipendium is a fixed monthly amount over a few semesters, not a full scholarship. If you plan to cover rent, health insurance and living costs with it alone, calculate this in advance. An overview of typical costs is in the German guide Was kostet ein Studium? (in German).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply at more than one university?
The scholarship is tied to the individual university because it advertises and selects the recipients. You apply where you study or will study from the next semester. Whether it can be combined with other scholarships is decided by the university and the funder.
Is the Deutschlandstipendium means-tested?
No. It is a grant without an income test. Your income or your parents’ income does not affect eligibility under the programme. BAföG works differently, because income is checked there.
Can doctoral candidates receive the Deutschlandstipendium?
No. Doctoral candidates are excluded. Doctoral scholarships follow other rules that you can find with the foundations. An overview is available in our guide to PhD funding.
Is the scholarship counted against my BAföG?
That depends on your situation and is checked by the BAföG office. The guide on whether a scholarship is taxable covers related questions on tax and social insurance. Report any funding you receive early to avoid repayment claims.
How long is the scholarship paid?
Usually for at least two semesters and at most until the standard period of study ends. The university reviews the conditions after each year. There is therefore no fixed commitment for the whole period of study.
What to Do Next
- Look for the current Deutschlandstipendium call on your university’s website.
- Prepare your CV, your transcript and a concrete description of your commitment.
- Submit the application before the deadline and note the dates for your evidence.
- Clarify early how the scholarship interacts with any BAföG application you have running.
Related Guides
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
- How to Apply for a Scholarship: Tips That Impress
- Is a Scholarship Taxable? Tax and Social Insurance
- Studying Without BAföG: Your Funding Options
Sources: Federal Funding Database: Deutschlandstipendium (accessed October 2026, page without update date), in German; Heinrich Böll Foundation: scholarship rates, status October 2026, in German
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
