University Of Tubingen Stibet Grants For International Students 2027 | Study in Germany — University of Tübingen, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office through DAAD
No single scholarship can cover every kind of hardship a student might face, so the University of Tübingen split its STIBET funding into three distinct grants, each built for a different situation.
About the Scholarship
Tübingen administers its STIBET funding, financed by the German Federal Foreign Office through DAAD, across three separate grant types rather than a single generic award. The Study Completion Grant targets students nearing graduation with unexpected financial difficulty, the Student Engagement Grant rewards outstanding contribution to international campus life, and the Equal Opportunity Grant supports students facing chronic illness, disability, or similarly uncovered expenses.
Scholarship Benefits
Each grant category has its own structure and amount.
- Study Completion Grant: around 550 EUR per month for up to three months
- Student Engagement Grant: around 550 EUR per month for up to three months
- Equal Opportunity Grant: around 300 EUR per month for up to five months
- No repayment required for any of the three grant types
Eligibility Criteria
General eligibility requires enrollment as a degree-seeking international student at Tübingen, with a non-German university entrance qualification. Each grant category carries its own additional requirement: Completion Grants require proof of unexpected financial need near graduation, Engagement Grants require documented contribution to international campus activities, and Equal Opportunity Grants require evidence of a chronic illness, disability, or comparable circumstance causing uncovered expenses. A financial need threshold, generally around 1,548 EUR in total available resources, applies to relevant categories.
Fields of Study Covered
All three grants are open to students in any degree programme at Tübingen, since eligibility is based on circumstance and stage of study rather than academic subject.
Required Documents
- Current enrollment certificate
- Motivation letter including full name, enrollment number, field of study, and reason for the application
- Information on current and past funding received
- Recommendation letter from a thesis or academic supervisor
- Supporting documentation specific to the grant category applied for
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
1. Identify which of the three STIBET grant categories matches the applicant’s situation.
2. Gather the enrollment certificate and any category-specific supporting documents.
3. Write a motivation letter detailing the circumstances and funding history.
4. Request a recommendation letter from a thesis or academic supervisor.
5. Submit the complete application to the relevant office before the announced deadline.
6. Await the funding decision and, if approved, receive the stipend over the grant’s defined period.
Selection Process
Reviewers assess each application against the specific criteria for its grant category, whether that is proximity to graduation and financial hardship, documented international engagement, or evidence of a qualifying special circumstance, rather than applying one uniform standard across all three grants.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Applying for the grant category that most precisely matches the applicant’s actual situation, rather than the one that seems most generically available, improves the odds of a clear, well-matched review. A specific, well-documented motivation letter that states the funding history and current need plainly tends to move through review faster than a vague one. Students comparing STIBET structures across universities might also look at the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf STIBET Completion of Studies Grant to see how amounts and durations differ by institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for more than one STIBET grant category at Tübingen?
Applicants generally apply for the single category that best matches their circumstances, though a change in situation could make a different category more appropriate later.
What counts as outstanding engagement for the Student Engagement Grant?
Qualifying engagement includes active involvement in international student organizations, mentoring programmes, or intercultural events that benefit the wider student community.
Does the Equal Opportunity Grant require ongoing documentation?
Yes, evidence of the qualifying chronic illness, disability, or comparable circumstance and its related uncovered expenses is required as part of the application.
How is the financial need threshold calculated?
The threshold considers total available resources, including the grant amount itself and any other income, compared against a standard cost-of-living benchmark.
Can exchange students apply for Tübingen’s STIBET grants?
No, STIBET is reserved for degree-seeking students; exchange students and free movers are not eligible under the programme’s general rules.
Is a supervisor’s recommendation letter required for every grant category?
Yes, a recommendation letter from a thesis or academic supervisor is a standard required document across all three STIBET grant categories at Tübingen.