Hanns Seidel Foundation Scholarships for Study in Germany
Monthly stipends for outstanding master's and doctoral students from countries with a Hanns Seidel Foundation office, to study at a German university; applications go through the foundation's office in your home country.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s, PhD
Destination
Germany
Funding
Master's: up to €992 a month for 12–24 months. Doctoral: up to €1,300 a month for 12–36 months. Health insurance in Germany up to €102 a month and a one-time travel reimbursement of up to €500; alumni follow-up research stays up to €1,000 a month for 3–6 months.
Eligible applicants
Master's and doctoral applicants pre-selected by a Hanns Seidel Foundation office abroad; German at B2
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Hanns Seidel Foundation Scholarships for Study in Germany is offered by Hanns Seidel Foundation for Master’s, PhD study in Germany. Confirm the current cycle on the official page before applying.
What this scholarship covers
Monthly stipend (master's up to €992, doctoral up to €1,300)
Included
Health insurance up to €102 a month
Included
One-time travel reimbursement up to €500
Included
Tuition fees
Not included
Master's: up to €992 a month for 12–24 months. Doctoral: up to €1,300 a month for 12–36 months. Health insurance in Germany up to €102 a month and a one-time travel reimbursement of up to €500; alumni follow-up research stays up to €1,000 a month for 3–6 months. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Based on the provider’s published information
International students
See official criteria
Domestic students
See official criteria
Scholarship scope
Foundation scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 13, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicants apply through the Hanns Seidel Foundation office in their home country; the foundation is not present in every country.
- International eligibility
- Each country office sets its own pre-selection, deadlines and selection rounds. Bachelor's funding is available only in exceptional cases.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Above-average university degree with good or very good grades.
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Experience and personal requirements
- LeadershipRequired
- Very active, ongoing voluntary work with NGOs.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- Germany
Official eligibility summary
Outstanding master's and doctoral students, pre-selected by the foundation's international offices, who will study at a German university. Master's applicants need admission to a German university and PhD applicants need a supervising professor's approval. Applicants need an above-average degree, ongoing voluntary work with NGOs, interest in civil society and commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and German at B2 (C1 after the first year).
Applicant profile
- Master's and doctoral applicants pre-selected by a Hanns Seidel Foundation office abroad; German at B2
Study route
- Master’s, PhD study in Germany
Current-cycle criteria
- Outstanding master's and doctoral students, pre-selected by the foundation's international offices, who will study at a German university. Master's applicants need admission to a German university and PhD applicants need a supervising professor's approval. Applicants need an above-average degree, ongoing voluntary work with NGOs, interest in civil society and commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and German at B2 (C1 after the first year).
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- Tabular CV and detailed CV (2–4 pages)
- One-page exposé on study and career goals
- Bachelor's certificate and transcript
- Two recommendation letters (one on NGO volunteering, one on academics)
- Proof of German at B2 or higher
- Enrolment or acceptance letter (by the interview)
- Passport copy and residence permit copy
- Detailed doctoral exposé of up to 10 pages (PhD applicants)
How to apply
- 1
Email all documents as one PDF to your home-country Hanns Seidel Foundation office (india@hss.de for India)
- 2
The office decides whether you may enter the online application platform
- 3
If pre-selected, upload your documents to the online portal
- 4
Attend the online interview if your office strongly recommends you
Application timeline
Application cycle
India office: 30 November for the summer semester and 31 May for the winter semester. Selection rounds are in February and August; other offices differ.
Confirm the current dates on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Hanns Seidel Foundation
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 13, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
No exact deadline is listed here. Check the official provider page for the next application cycle.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.