Since most German public universities charge little to no tuition, a master’s scholarship there tends to focus on covering living costs, health insurance, and travel rather than offsetting high fees, which changes how far the funding actually stretches.
These ten programs are consistently available and welcome applicants from a broad mix of countries and fields.
1. DAAD EPOS Scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance
The [DAAD EPOS Scholarship](/daad-epos-scholarship/) funds a master’s degree in governance, public policy, or related development fields, covering a monthly stipend, insurance, and travel allowance for the program’s length.
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship at German Universities
The [Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship](/erasmus-mundus-german-universities/) supports students on joint degree programs delivered across several European universities, including German partners, covering tuition, travel, and a living allowance.
3. AMASE Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
The [AMASE Erasmus Mundus Scholarship](/amase-erasmus-mundus-scholarship/) funds a specialized joint master’s in materials science delivered across partner universities, with tuition and a living stipend covered for the full two years.
4. GEOtech Erasmus Mundus Master in Geospatial Technologies
The [GEOtech Erasmus Mundus Scholarship](/geotech-erasmus-mundus-geospatial/) supports students in a joint master’s program focused on geospatial technologies, covering tuition, travel, and a monthly stipend across the partner institutions.
5. KIT Scholarship for International Master’s Students
The [KIT Scholarship](/kit-masters-scholarship/) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology provides a monthly stipend to international students enrolled in engineering and science master’s programs.
6. Heidelberg University DAAD EPOS Scholarship for International Health
The [Heidelberg EPOS Scholarship](/heidelberg-daad-epos-international-health/) funds a specialized master’s in public and global health, covering a stipend, insurance, and travel for students from eligible developing countries.
7. University of Freiburg EPOS Scholarship for Environmental Governance
The [Freiburg EPOS Scholarship](/freiburg-epos-environmental-governance/) supports a master’s program in environmental policy and resource management, structured the same way as other DAAD EPOS awards.
8. Deutschlandstipendium
This national merit scholarship pays a fixed monthly amount to academically strong master’s students at participating universities, funded jointly by the federal government and private sponsors.
9. Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship
The [Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship](/konrad-adenauer-scholarship/) supports outstanding master’s students in Germany with a living stipend alongside seminars connected to the foundation’s civic and political programming.
10. Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship
The [Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship](/heinrich-boll-scholarship/) funds master’s students whose work connects to sustainability, ecology, or human rights, providing a monthly stipend for the length of the program.
Most DAAD-linked scholarships run on an annual cycle that closes nearly a year before the intended start date, so gathering recommendation letters and language certificates early makes a meaningful difference.
German universities typically require proof of sufficient funds for a student visa even when a scholarship is in place, since the visa process and the scholarship award are handled by separate authorities.
Applicants should budget extra time for this blocked account requirement, along with health insurance registration, both of which are usually sorted out after a scholarship offer but before the visa appointment itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Erasmus Mundus scholarships require studying in more than one country?
Yes, joint master’s programs under Erasmus Mundus are specifically designed around study at two or more partner universities across different countries.
Is German fluency required for DAAD-funded master’s programs?
It depends on the program. English-taught degrees generally require only an English test, while German-taught programs require a recognized language certificate.
How much does the Deutschlandstipendium pay per month?
It pays a fixed monthly stipend for at least two semesters, split between federal funding and a private sponsor, though the exact figure can change from year to year.
Can applicants apply to more than one DAAD program at once?
Generally no, DAAD asks applicants to choose the single program that best matches their academic background and goals rather than applying to multiple schemes simultaneously.
Are political foundation scholarships limited to political science students?
No, foundations such as Konrad Adenauer and Heinrich Boll fund students across many disciplines, provided there is some demonstrated civic or social engagement.
What is the typical length of a DAAD EPOS scholarship?
Most EPOS scholarships cover a one to two year master’s program, matching the standard length of the degree itself.
Do these scholarships cover a student’s accompanying family?
Generally no, though a limited number of DAAD programs offer supplementary allowances for dependents in specific circumstances.