The PhD scholarship of the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, the Protestant scholarship foundation in Germany (Studienwerk is the German term for a scholarship foundation), is one of the established funding programmes for doctoral candidates in Germany. This guide summarises what the foundation states on its website about the amount, supplements, funding period and exclusions, and shows which points you still need to check yourself before you apply.
Short answer: The foundation lists a full scholarship of 1,750 euros a month and a research allowance of 100 euros a month for doctoral candidates (last updated October 2026, according to the website). Funding is initially approved for three years and can be extended to three and a half years. Applications must be submitted through the online portal. Deadlines and eligibility criteria are not on the start page and are listed on the foundation’s website.
The most important points
- The full scholarship is stated as 1,750 euros a month, plus a research allowance of 100 euros a month.
- Funding is initially approved for three years. An extension to three and a half years is possible.
- Applications must be submitted through the online portal. Documents sent by email are not considered.
- According to the website, applicants whose thesis is already in the final phase cannot apply. Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. doctorates are excluded.
- The eligibility criteria are on a separate subpage. Read it completely before you apply.
How high is the Villigst PhD scholarship?
The funding page of the foundation gives the following information. The table shows what the page says and where details are missing.
| Component | Figure according to the website | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Full scholarship | 1,750 euros a month | Whether you receive this amount, and in what amount, is decided by the foundation in the approval process. |
| Research allowance | 100 euros a month | The website lists it as a fixed allowance. |
| Supplements | “Possibly supplements”, not described in detail | Ask the foundation which supplements may apply to you. |
| Childcare | Grant for children under 14 for whom you have custody | The website does not state an amount. |
| Parental leave | Extension of up to one year | The extension compensates for time spent on child-rearing. |
Worked example. Assumption: you receive the full scholarship for the three years of the initial approval, that is 36 months, and the research allowance runs over the same period. That gives 1,750 euros times 36, which is 63,000 euros, plus 100 euros times 36, which is 3,600 euros, for a total of 66,600 euros gross. The website does not mention deductions, for example for your own health and long-term care insurance, so treat this figure only as a rough orientation. How scholarships are taxed is governed by section 3 no. 44 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG), which is explained in our guide on scholarships and taxes.
What requirements apply to an application?
The start page refers to a separate page called “Voraussetzung für die Bewerbung” (requirements for the application). We therefore do not give a grade limit, an age limit or the expectations for your project as a number here. These details are published by the foundation itself, and only there you find the binding version.
The exclusions named on the website are clear. Applications from doctoral candidates whose work is already in its final phase are not considered. The same applies to doctorates leading to Dr. med. or Dr. med. dent.
- Read the requirements page in full and note every condition that does or does not apply to you.
- Check which phase your thesis is in. If it is in the final phase, the website excludes an application.
- Make sure you can upload your documents as files in the required format before you start the application.
How long is the scholarship paid?
According to the website, funding is initially approved for three years. If you need more time, the approval can be extended to three and a half years. For parents, two rules tie in with time: a grant towards childcare for children under 14 for whom you have custody, and an extension of up to one year to compensate for parental leave.
For planning this means you should not calculate your finances only for the first three years. Work out what happens if your project takes longer. The website says an extension is possible, but it does not describe the conditions, so ask the foundation before you rely on it.
When and how do you apply?
The website states that the online portal is the only way to apply, and that applications sent by email are not considered. We did not find a deadline for 2026/27 on the start page or on the funding page, so we do not name a date here. The current application period is shown in the portal and on the foundation’s website.
Plan enough time. A doctoral scholarship application asks for documents about your project and your academic path, and people who start close to the deadline make avoidable mistakes. Keep digital copies of your certificates and your study records so you can upload them at any time.
Does the Villigst scholarship fit your situation?
A scholarship is not automatically the better choice. It suits you best if your project is still at the beginning, you meet the requirements and you are not planning a university position with a salary and social insurance. It suits you less well if your thesis is already far advanced, if you prefer a salaried post, or if you are working towards a Dr. med. doctorate. Whether a scholarship beats a position in your case is compared in our guide on financing a PhD.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply by email?
No. The website names the online portal as the only route. If you send your documents by email, they will not be considered.
Do I still get the scholarship if my thesis is already in the final phase?
According to the website, no. Applications from doctoral candidates whose work is already in the final phase cannot be considered. If that describes you, look at other ways to finance the final stage.
Can I apply for a Dr. med. doctorate?
The website expressly excludes doctorates leading to Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. Other doctorates in medicine are not automatically excluded, but you should ask the foundation directly.
Is there support for parents?
Yes. The website names a grant towards childcare for children under 14 for whom you have custody, and an extension of up to one year for parental leave. The amount of the childcare grant is not stated on the page.
How much can I earn alongside the scholarship?
The Villigst page does not give binding figures that we could reproduce here. Find out before you accept how much outside work is compatible with the scholarship.
What to do now
- Open the funding page and the requirements page, and read both in full.
- Use the stated amounts to make a rough calculation of what would be available to you over your PhD, and deduct your own health insurance costs.
- Clarify whether your project is in the final phase before you invest time in the application.
- Prepare your documents digitally and upload them through the online portal, not by email.
- Compare the scholarship with a PhD position before you decide.
Related guides
- PhD funding: position, scholarship or own savings compared
- Is a scholarship taxable? Tax and social insurance
- Health insurance for PhD students in Germany
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- How to apply for a scholarship: tips that impress
Sources: Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, Unser Stipendium für Promovierende (in German, last changed 30.09.2026 according to the page, retrieved October 2026); German Income Tax Act, section 3 no. 44 EStG on scholarships (in German, retrieved October 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
