The Max Weber Programme supports academically strong students who study at universities in Bavaria. The Free State of Bavaria funds it as part of the Elite Network of Bavaria, and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes runs the programme.
Entry is possible after a Bavarian school-leaving qualification through the relevant state selection examination, or during university through self-application or nomination. Recipients combine their degree with mentoring, interdisciplinary events, skills courses, language courses, summer academies, and research-oriented activities.
Benefits & funding
- An education allowance of €1,800 per semester, paid on 1 April and 1 October and independent of the recipient’s or parents’ income.
- Financial support may also be available for study abroad and research projects.
- Academic and personal-development support includes mentoring, summer academies, conferences, excursions, skills seminars, and language courses.
Eligibility
- School route: complete a qualifying Bavarian school-leaving examination, pass the relevant Ministerial Commissioner or elite examination in the graduation year, and begin study at a Bavarian university.
- University route: be enrolled at a Bavarian university, normally be at least in the third semester when applying, and have at least two semesters of standard study time remaining when funding begins.
- Eligible study routes are a first Bachelor’s or State Examination degree, or a consecutive Master’s following a Bachelor’s; second, supplementary, additional, and postgraduate-extension degrees are excluded.
- For the university route, applicants are normally no older than 22 when funding begins on 1 April, but credited periods such as vocational training, service, caring for children, second-chance university entry, or study abroad can extend the limit; candidates nominated in their first semester by the head of an Elite Graduate Programme are exempt from the age limit.
- Applicants must hold citizenship of an EU member state or a state for which reciprocity applies, and must have German at least at B2/C1 level.
- Selection considers intellectual ability, motivation and willingness to perform, communication, social competence, broad interests, and civic engagement.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Es dürfen sich alle bewerben, die die Staatsangehörigkeit eines Mitgliedslandes der Europäischen Union besitzen oder einem Staat angehören, mit dem die sogenannte Gegenseitigkeit gewährleistet ist.” Eligibility
Education required
High School · Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Choose the relevant route: school nomination and state examination, university self-application, or nomination by academic staff, an Elite Graduate Programme, or a Bavarian university examination office.
- 2For university self-application, email the programme for an upload link and submit the self-application form, both CV formats, academic transcript, certificates, proof of university entry, current enrolment certificate, and two confidential academic references by 1 November 2026.
- 3Return the programme’s subsequent application form by 15 January 2027; nominated candidates submit the requested application package by the same date.
- 4If invited, attend a three-day selection seminar in spring 2027 involving two individual interviews and group rounds with a short presentation and discussion.
Program timeline
University-route nominations and self-applications open.
Jul 1, 2026
University-route nominations and self-application materials are due.
Nov 1, 2026
Follow-up application forms and nominated-candidate materials are due.
Jan 15, 2027
Three-day selection seminars take place on weekends.
March–April 2027
Funding begins for successful university-route candidates.
Apr 1, 2027