Call for Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Fully Funded Masters and PhD Scholarships

Application Deadline: July 15 (12:00 noon)

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung awards scholarships to international master students and graduates in order to enable study and research at universities in Germany. This way, we actively promote intercultural dialogues, the formation of international networks as well as the internationalization of universities and science.

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Who are we looking for?

Our Sponsorship Program for Foreign Students (Ausländerförderung) is aimed at international students and graduates who have acquired a university degree in their home country and who intend to complete postgraduate or master studies, doctoral studies or a research stay at a university in Germany. Applicants should

be able to provide evidence of above average academic performance
bring broad general education and distinct interest in political issues
have a positive attitude towards democracy and human rights
have been actively engaged in voluntary work for the benefit of the people and the society in their home countries
be open to develop their personal points of view and practice tolerance towards those with different beliefs
be highly motivated and be able to convince us with their own plans and potential.

Our scholarships consist not only of financial assistance but also include a program of ideational support. We expect our scholars to participate actively in this program throughout the eligibility period, including

the participation in at least four multi-day seminars of our annual agenda,
regular attendance and active participation in the meetings of the regional scholar group at their university.

The activities of these regional scholar groups offer a unique opportunity to enter into an interdisciplinary, political and personal exchange with other scholars, alumni and representatives of our foundation at the universities, the so called “Vertrauensdozenten”.

After finishing their studies in Germany, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung expects its former scholars to contribute actively to the development of their home country’s relations with the Federal Republic of Germany.

Important information regarding the formal application requirements

The minimum period in our scholarship program is one year and the remaining length of your studies or research in Germany has to be at least two semesters. We do not provide support for bachelor studies. Only students in master, postgraduate or doctoral studies are eligible for our scholarship program.
Students in Medicine or Pharmacy can only apply after having completed their intermediate exam in Germany or when having achieved a comparable stage of their studies in another country. Human or dental medicine specialist training or post graduate research stays in Germany cannot be supported.
Persons having already achieved a doctorate are not eligible for a scholarship.
There is an age limit of 30 years for all applicants.
Our program of ideational support and the activities of the regional scholar groups are held in German. For this reason, a sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is obligatory for all scholars even if the courses of their planned studies are taught in English. In general, our scholars take and pass the DSH exam (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang – German Exam for College Admission) or the DaF-test (Deutsch als Fremdsprache – Test of German as a foreign language) with a high rating before the beginning of their university studies in Germany. In exceptional cases and for highly qualified applicants only, we financially support German language courses as preparation for studies in Germany.

Benefits of our scholarship program

Our scholarship program consists of financial assistance as well as ideational support. Even after the successful completion of studies, we remain in contact with our former scholars and offer them the unique opportunity to become a part of our international network.

Financial assistance

Duration and level of funding vary for different types of studies.
- Graduates (master or postgraduate students) receive a monthly scholarship of € 750. The standard funding period is two years.
- After having obtained unconditional admission to doctoral studies at a German university, PhD-students receive a monthly scholarship of € 920. The standard funding period for PhD scholars is three years.
- We also fund research stays in Germany with duration of at least 6 months by the same amount (€ 920) under the condition that the applicant holds a university degree comparable to the German Master’s degree and provides evidence of at least two years of work experience in the academic field.
Beside the monthly scholarship payments, we offer multiple subsidies for our scholars. On request, we subsidise health care insurance of up to the amount of € 120 per month.
Also, we pay a family supplement provided that you and your spouse live together in one place in Germany for at least three months and that his/her income does not exceed the amount of € 450 per month. We grant a supplement of € 184 per month for children living with you in Germany.
Fees resulting from courses at the university in Germany that are directly related to your studies can be refunded up to the amount of € 500 per semester. In contrast, we do not refund regular semester fees resulting from matriculation or annual re-registration.

Ideational support

Being a scholar of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung means much more than just receiving financial assistance. Our scholars benefit from a broad program of ideational support. They become part of an active and living network. The program of ideational support consists of three elements:

Personal contact to and mentoring by the referees of our Sponsorship Program for Foreign Students and by the KAS representatives at the universities.
An internal seminar program for all our scholars.
The diverse activities of the regional scholar groups at the universities.

How to apply

There are two ways to apply for our scholarship program:

International selection procedure

Every year, our foundation organizes several international selection conferences in different countries all over the world. In 2016, there will be held selection conferences in Ukraine, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, Serbia, Latvia/Belarus. If you are living in one of these countries or regions, you may send your written application directly to the responsible regional KAS Office. Students living in countries that are not listed cannot apply for the international selection procedure in 2016.

Domestic selection procedure

In case you are already living or studying in Germany, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship via the domestic selection program using our new online procedure (is still being prepared and intended to go online in June). You will be able to fill out the application form online and to upload all required application documents. Please do not send in any written application. The application period for 2016 will be open from June to July 15 (12:00/noon).

Application documents

Please download and fill out the application form and attach the following documents:

A meaningful CV in tabular form including details about your previous voluntary work or social commitment
Copies of your examination certificates in German translation if the originals are not in English
Copies of your studies performance records if you have been studying at a University in Germany
Proof of German language skills
An informal academic letter of recommendation: This opinion should provide information about your academic qualifications and potential; it should not be older than two month. The author has to be a university professor or teacher holding a doctoral degree.
An informal letter of recommendation concerning the applicant’s personality: This opinion should focus on your personality and interests as well as on your understanding of values and your social commitment. The author cannot be the same as that providing the academic letter of recommendation.
Certificate of admission or matriculation from your university in Germany
Two passport photographs: If applying for a doctoral scholarship, please attach additionally
A detailed description of your doctoral thesis: This exposé, written in German or English (4-5 pages), should outline the central research question of your proposed project, its scientific relevance, your theoretical approach and the motives behind your choice of the research subject. It should also contain a work and time schedule and a bibliography.
A second academic letter of recommendation: This second opinion should be written by the supervisor of your doctoral thesis, providing you already have one. It replaces the letter of recommendation concerning the applicant’s personality.

Please apply on https://campus.kas.de and upload the requested documents. More info on KAS here. Information on how to apply here.

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