The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation) funds highly qualified, socially committed doctoral candidates in every discipline.
Scholars write a full-time dissertation at a German university, or abroad under conditions, with an adviser and a liaison professor, doctoral forums, workshops and the foundation’s wider academic programme. Paper applications are posted during 14-day calls held three times a year.
Benefits & funding
- €1,750 a month for three years (four with a child), extendable by up to six months on progress.
- Research allowance of up to €100 at each year’s end.
- Half of documented health-insurance costs, up to €170 a month, if employment does not cover it.
- Family and childcare allowances; travel grants for research abroad.
- No other doctoral scholarship may be held alongside it.
Eligibility
- Accepted to a doctoral programme at a German university that will receive the thesis; nationality does not matter.
- Doctorate abroad: German citizens, or foreign nationals with a German higher-education entrance qualification (FAQ), subject to funds and a stated reason.
- Latest degree no older than four years and three months; pregnancy, childcare, serious illness and family care can extend this.
- Earliest: final semester of a master’s; fast-track candidates after a bachelor’s, starting the full-time thesis phase within six months.
- Full-time, first doctorate only, not alongside medical studies; after a rejection or withdrawal, reapply only with a new supervisor and topic.
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.
“The doctoral candidate has been accepted for a doctoral programme at a German university where the thesis will also be submitted; nationality is irrelevant. German citizens pursuing a Ph.D. abroad may also apply; in this instance, applicants must provide an explanation for their choice of university. … At the time of application, the most recent degree must not be older than four years and three months.” Eligibility
Education required
Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Agree the project with your supervisor, who completes the supervisor questionnaire.
- 2Prepare an exposé of up to 20 pages (German or English) and name four or more potential academic reviewers.
- 3Post the complete paper application to Bonn within a 14-day call; incomplete files are not considered.
- 4After pre-selection (about six weeks), two academic reviews follow; the second includes an interview, usually by video, with travel at your own cost.
Program timeline
Call closed (selection May 2027; start from Jul 1, 2027).
Oct 14, 2026
Next call (selection September 2027; start from Oct 1, 2027).
Feb 1, 2027 to Feb 14, 2027
Call (selection January 2028; start from Apr 1, 2028).
Jun 1, 2027 to Jun 14, 2027
Call (selection May 2028; start from Jul 1, 2028).
Oct 1, 2027 to Oct 14, 2027