Studienstiftung des Abgeordnetenhauses von Berlin - Student Foundation Scholarship

What you get

You receive 1,100 EUR per month as a student or doctoral candidate, or 1,630 EUR per month if you already hold a doctorate. This covers a stay of up to 10 months in Berlin, from 1 October to 31 July. The foundation also pays a lump sum towards your travel: 200 EUR for journeys within Europe, or 600 EUR from outside Europe. Each year the Student Foundation of the Berlin House of Representatives awards around 15 scholarships. You come to Berlin to research or study a project with a clear Berlin connection and to get to know German politics and society. You cannot extend the scholarship, and you pay for your own health, accident and care insurance.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia or another successor state of the Soviet Union.
• Degree: You hold at least one university degree, such as a Bachelor's. If you have no full degree yet, you must show at least a first qualification.
• Your project: Your research or study project links to Berlin by topic or institution. You carry it out at a state or state-recognised university or research institution in Berlin.
• Field of study: All subjects are welcome, with a focus on the humanities and social sciences.
• Age: Usually up to 35 years old. Students should have reached a first degree (Bachelor's) by age 25.
• Grades: Your results are clearly above average, placing you among the top young academics in your country.
• Recent academic work: You have not taken a long break from academic work since your final exam.
• Supervision: A Berlin university teacher or research institution head has agreed in writing to supervise you. This is required if you are a graduate; if you have no degree yet, you are strongly encouraged to arrange it.
• Language: You have adequate German language skills.

How to apply

You send your application documents to the Student Foundation of the Berlin House of Representatives. The deadline is 15 December each year, and what counts is the date your documents arrive in Berlin. Your scholarship must start on 1 October, or it lapses. The foundation's board makes the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is narrowly cut: you must hold a specific nationality, be an outstanding young academic, and bring a Berlin-linked research project with a supervisor already lined up. That keeps the applicant pool small, so a well-matched candidate with a strong, feasible project and a firm supervision commitment has good prospects. With about 15 scholarships a year, arranging your Berlin contacts early makes the biggest difference.