In a previous article, I provided an overview of how the scholarship system for master’s and doctoral studies in Germany works. In this short post, I will describe the main characteristics of German foundations that offer scholarships to international students in more detail.
Types of Scholarship Foundations in Germany
Applying for a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which mainly assesses academic excellence, is different from applying to a Catholic institution such as the Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD), where human and religious values also play an important role.
The foundations affiliated with German political parties are different again. Each of these seeks scholarship holders who share their political or social values. While these foundations are formally independent of their respective parties, they often reflect their ideological orientation to some extent. For instance, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) is linked to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLS) is associated with the left-wing party Die Linke.
What Foundations Look for in International Students
Therefore, when applying for a scholarship from one of these political foundations, it is not necessary to be an expert in German politics or to endorse the party’s programme. However, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with its core values and principles. Interviewers commonly assess to what extent a candidate’s worldview aligns with the foundation’s ethical or political orientation.
That said, evaluation committees tend to be more flexible with international students than with German applicants. They understand that few foreigners are familiar with German politics. So there is no reason to worry — it is usually enough to have a general understanding and to apply to foundations whose values broadly align with your own.
If you decide to apply to one of these political foundations, it is best to apply to only one. During the selection process, candidates are often asked if they are applying for other scholarships at the same time. For example, it might seem inconsistent to apply to both the left-wing Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and the centre-right Konrad Adenauer Foundation simultaneously. In contrast, applying to both the KAAD and the KAS may make sense, as they both have a Christian background.
Another important factor to consider is that the budget of political foundations partly depends on the electoral performance of the parties they are affiliated with. After a poor election result, the number of available scholarships tends to decrease. Therefore, it is worth checking the current financial situation of each foundation before applying, since the chances of success are higher when the institution has sufficient funding.
Final advice: conduct thorough research into German scholarship-offering foundations, analyse the ideal candidate profile for each one and select two or three that best match your academic background and personal values. Then check their current funding situation and plan your applications carefully.
Being selective and strategic will help you to make the most of your time, energy and opportunities.