Doctoral scholarships (Promotionsstipendien) for 2026 come from scholarship foundations (Studienwerke), political foundations and other sponsors. They select doctoral candidates and fund them. This overview shows who the funders are, what the selection looks at and how to compare funding amounts, deadlines and eligibility reliably.
Short answer: Doctoral scholarships come from foundations that usually select candidates in an application process with a proposal and references. Funding amounts, duration and deadlines change and are published only by each funder. This guide therefore gives no amounts. It explains how to compare the offers (last updated: October 2026).
The most important points
- There are many funders with different profiles. Check their focus, selection criteria and deadline before deciding.
- Funding amounts, durations and supplements change. The funder’s information at the time of your application is what counts.
- Applications usually require a research proposal (Exposé), certificates and references. The selection can have several stages.
- Whether you can reapply after a rejection is stated in each call for applications.
- A scholarship is not automatically the better choice. A doctoral post (Promotionsstelle) brings an employment contract and social insurance.
Which funders are there?
The funders differ by origin. Scholarship foundations are often linked to parties, churches or trade unions, while others come from business. Their origin says little about the quality of support, but it does hint at selection criteria and profile. The German guides below present each funder in detail (all in German):
- Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
- Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
- Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
- Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
- Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
- Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung
- Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung
- Cusanuswerk
- Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst
- Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk
- Avicenna-Studienwerk
- Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft
How a scholarship compares with a doctoral post is covered in the German guide Promotionsstelle oder Stipendium: Netto-Vergleich mit Rechenbeispiel. For the basics on scholarships in general, see scholarships for students in Germany.
What to compare
Funders differ in several ways that cannot be captured by a single figure. The table helps you line up the offers side by side.
| Criterion | What to look at | Where to check it |
|---|---|---|
| Funding amount | Monthly amount, supplements and flat-rate allowances, whether a family supplement is possible | Funder information, valid on your application date |
| Duration | Length of funding, possibility of extension, transition to the end of the doctorate | Funding rules of the funder |
| Selection | Who can apply, which grades and commitment count, number of stages | Call for applications and selection criteria |
| Deadline | Application date, date of decision, start of funding | Application portal of the funder |
The table is deliberately general. Each funder publishes its concrete figures on its website, and it also states whether they apply to your subject.
How does the application work?
Funders usually require an application with a research proposal, a CV, degree certificates and references. Many also hold a selection interview. Plan several weeks before you assemble the documents.
- Pick two or three funders whose profile fits your subject, background and values.
- Note the amount, duration, deadline and selection process from each funder’s own pages.
- Draft the proposal and CV early and have a supervisor read them.
- Ask referees in good time, because they often have limited time.
- Submit before the deadline and keep the confirmation of receipt.
What a scholarship does not replace
A doctoral scholarship is funding, not an employment contract. This brings consequences you should know before you accept:
- Social insurance: a scholarship usually does not create compulsory membership in social insurance like an employment contract does. You need to arrange health and long-term care cover yourself.
- Pension: without contributions, no pension entitlements from work arise for the period of funding. Later gaps can only be closed to a limited extent.
- Employment protection: dismissal protection, paid leave and continued pay during illness do not apply to a scholarship in the same way.
- Work experience: a doctoral post at a university brings teaching, administration and networks. A scholarship often leaves more time but less insight into a working organisation.
Whether a scholarship suits you therefore depends on more than the amount. Comparing it with the pay of a post quickly shows which kind of protection matters more to you.
Common mistakes in applications
- The proposal is too general and lacks a clear question, method or timetable.
- The application does not fit the profile of the funder. Read its mission and funding goals before you write.
- Documents are incomplete or in a format the funder does not accept.
- The deadline is underestimated, because references and university certificates take longer than expected.
- The CV is inconsistent, for example with gaps or unclear information about how your studies were financed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to several funders?
Usually yes, unless the calls exclude it. Some funders require a declaration that you have not applied elsewhere at the same time. Check the requirements before you submit.
Do I have to be a member of a party or a church?
Usually not. The closeness to a party, church or trade union is part of a funder’s profile. Whether membership is required is stated in the call for applications, so read the requirements carefully.
Are scholarships limited to certain subjects?
Some funders set thematic priorities or favour projects from certain areas. Others are open across disciplines. The call and the list of funding areas show whether your topic fits. A conversation with the funder’s office can clarify this quickly. Ask whether doctoral candidates from your field have been funded before.
Does the scholarship count for my health insurance?
That depends on your situation. The German guide Krankenversicherung mit Promotionsstipendium describes the options, for example voluntary or family insurance, with their conditions. For the English overview see Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany.
What if I am not selected?
Ask the funder whether there is feedback on the selection. If your research plan has changed, a new application with a revised proposal can make sense. Whether you may apply again is stated in the call.
How many people are doing a doctorate?
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) counted about 216,200 people doing a doctorate in Germany in 2025, 1.8 percent more than in the previous year (as of 26 August 2026, German). For the examination year 2025 it recorded about 28,800 completed doctorates, an increase of 2.4 percent (as of 2 October 2026, German). These figures show the scale, not your chances in a single application.
Next steps
- List two or three funders whose profile fits your subject and check their current calls.
- Note the funding details, deadline and selection process from the original sources.
- Compare the offer with a doctoral post before you commit.
- Prepare the documents so that you meet the deadline with a margin.
Related guides
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- Scholarships for students: types, providers, requirements
- Promotion in Deutschland: Wege, Dauer, Finanzierung und Doktortitel (in German)
- Stipendium im Studium finden (in German)
Sources: Destatis press release on doctoral candidates 2025 (26 August 2026, German); Destatis press release on doctorates in the examination year 2025 (2 October 2026, German). Please check funding amounts and deadlines directly with each funder.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
