The Heinrich Böll Foundation offers Heinrich Böll Scholarship to approximately 1500 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from a variety of fields and countries who are enrolled in universities, applied science universities (also called “Fachhochschulen”), or arts universities.

Heinrich Böll Scholarship Detail
Host Country | Germany |
Host Institute | German Universities |
Eligible Areas | All |
Scholarship Value | €1350,- per month basic scholarship plus €100 per month in research costs allowance |
No. of Scholarship | 1650/year |
Scholarship Deadlines | March 1 and September 1 |
Who can Apply for the Heinrich Böll Scholarship
PhD Students and Candidates
The Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship Department offers financial assistance to German and foreign PhD candidates in accordance with the guidelines established by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) of Germany.
Doctoral students in Germany
- German doctoral candidates: German and international doctoral candidates; all compartments.
- German doctoral students, both German and foreign, for the “Transformation Research” research cluster; all parts
Doctoral students abroad
- Refugees and international PhD applicants from all nations and fields (EU and non-EU) for study in Germany
- PhD applicants from around the world in all subjects and countries for the “Transformation Research” research cluster
Bachelor and Master Students and Candidates
German undergraduate students
- Applications may be submitted before to the first semester but no later than the fourth semester; this includes both German citizens and foreign nationals.
- Application is open prior to the first semester and continues until the third semester for German students (both German and international citizens) engaged in their first year of the “Media Diversity, Different” study scholarship program (journalism or specialized courses);
Refugees
- Refugees for all subjects and all universities who wish to start or continue their study in Germany for their first or master’s degree (or certificate or state examination course), regardless of the number of semesters.
International students
foreign students enrolling in Germany’s master’s program or the major diploma/state exams; Applications are allowed for all disciplines and all universities for Master’s or major studies up until the first semester (a certificate of enrollment must be shown at the time of application).
The selection procedure, stages, and criteria for Heinrich Böll Scholarship
The primary criteria for assessing written applications and proceeding to the following stage of the procedure are as follows:
- A stellar high school and college academic record
- A strong research project (example, unique research issue, practical schedule, and advanced preparatory work)
- interest in politics and society;
- Strong arguments for submitting an application to the Heinrich Böll Foundation
Heinrich Böll Scholarship Documents Required
- Resume and personal data
- The rationale behind your Heinrich Böll Foundation application
- a summary of your social and political interests.
- Among other things, the outline of your PhD thesis project.
- A university admission exam or its equivalent
- a copy of your baccalaureate degree or another document required for admission to a university.
- translation into German or English by a qualified translator, if required. A list of your current study credentials, if you have already begun your studies (a printout provided by the university’s examinations office).
- A certified copy of your first-year diploma is required for international applicants looking for scholarships to attend a master’s program.
- Written verification of German language competency is required for applicants from outside.
- A recommendation from a third party regarding your social commitment (1-2 pages)
- The samples of work.
Deadlines
Applications for the Heinrich Böll Scholarship are accepted twice a year. Applications must be submitted by March 1st and September 1st. Please take note that we only accept online applications. The application portal will be accessible approximately six weeks prior to the application deadline. The following due date is March 1, 2025.
Application Process for Heinrich Böll Scholarship
Applications for the Heinrich Böll Scholarship are accepted twice a year. The application portal will open in July for the fall. Applications are only accepted online.
Before the next deadline, confirm that you meet the formal requirements and are qualified to apply.
Gather information about the application process and the necessary documents.
Register on the website for online submissions.
Enter the required information in the Online Application Portal.
After submitting all of your supporting documentation, submit your application before the application deadline passes.
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