Germany’s government funding for international students runs largely through DAAD, along with political foundations that receive substantial federal support and an independent research funding agency that pays doctoral researchers directly.
The ten programs below give a clear picture of how that government-backed funding is structured.
1. DAAD EPOS Scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance
The [DAAD EPOS Scholarship](/daad-epos-scholarship/), funded by the German federal government, supports master’s and doctoral study in governance and development-related fields.
2. DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa
This federally funded DAAD program supports master’s study within Africa at universities partnered with German institutions, covering tuition, a stipend, and study materials.
3. DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Programmes in Germany
This DAAD scheme, funded by the German government, covers the full length of a doctorate or a shorter research stay for candidates enrolled at a German university.
4. Deutschlandstipendium
This national merit scholarship is funded jointly by the German federal government and private sponsors, paying a fixed monthly amount to academically strong students at participating universities.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship at German Universities
Funded through the European Union, the [Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship](/erasmus-mundus-german-universities/) supports students on joint degree programs delivered across partner universities including those in Germany.
6. Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship
Closely linked to Germany’s Christian Democratic Union and substantially funded through the federal budget, the [Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship](/konrad-adenauer-scholarship/) supports outstanding international students in Germany.
7. Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship
Linked to Germany’s Green party and government-backed through federal funding allocations, the [Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship](/heinrich-boll-scholarship/) funds students focused on ecology, sustainability, and human rights.
8. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship
Linked to Germany’s Social Democratic Party and government-backed, the [Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship](/friedrich-ebert-scholarship/) supports students with an interest in social democratic values and civic engagement.
9. German Research Foundation (DFG) Funded Doctoral Positions
The DFG, Germany’s main public research funding agency, finances many PhD positions as salaried employment contracts at universities and research institutes across the country.
10. DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme
This DAAD scholarship funds a master’s degree in public policy and good governance at a small number of partner German universities, with a particular focus on candidates from transition and developing economies.
Because political foundation scholarships like Konrad Adenauer and Friedrich Ebert expect some demonstrated civic engagement beyond academics, building a track record of relevant volunteer or community work strengthens those specific applications.
Applicants to political foundation scholarships should read each organization.’s mission statement closely, since reviewers tend to favor candidates whose personal statement connects naturally to the foundation.’s specific values rather than appearing to be a generic application sent to multiple foundations at once.
Because DAAD coordinates so many of these schemes, checking its central portal first, even for programs technically run by a political foundation, is often the fastest way to confirm current deadlines and required documents.
Keeping copies of transcripts translated into German, even for English-taught programs, can also save time later in the process, since some foundations request certified translations alongside the original documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are political foundation scholarships really government funded?
Yes, German political foundations receive the majority of their budgets from federal government allocations, even though each one is formally linked to a political party.
Is DAAD itself a government agency?
DAAD is a membership association of German universities, but it receives the large majority of its funding from the German federal government and the European Union.
Does the Deutschlandstipendium only go to German students?
No, it is open to both German and international students at participating universities, based on academic merit.
Are DFG-funded PhD positions scholarships or jobs?
They are typically structured as salaried employment contracts rather than scholarships, which affects tax treatment and social security contributions.
Is political affiliation required to receive a foundation scholarship?
No, formal party membership is not required, though most foundations do expect some demonstrated interest in the values or causes they represent.
Can Erasmus Mundus funding be considered German government funding?
Not directly, since it is funded by the European Union rather than the German government alone, though German universities are common partners in the consortiums.
How long does the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme fund study for?
It typically funds a full master’s degree, usually one to two years depending on the specific partner university’s program length.