The European Scholarship Programme is aimed at European students wishing to complete a master’s degree in Germany. “Europe” in this case is to be understood in its geographical entirety and thus independent of membership in the European Union. The objective of the programme is to promote European understanding while preserving cultural diversity. Specifically, the programme seeks to promote international dialogue on European issues and create a network of outstanding, socially engaged students who are committed to European cohesion. Through dialogue, exchanges and lasting connections between scholarship holders, the programme also endeavours to strengthen tolerance, respect and understanding as well as acceptance of opposing beliefs and cultural diversity. The programme was developed by the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) and the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S. and will be financed cooperatively by both partners.

Programme description

13 or 14 scholarships will be granted each year from the 2024/25 academic year, so from the second funding year onwards there will typically be 27 students studying in Germany at any given time. The scholarship holders may be citizens of any of Europe’s 46 countries, including non-EU member states and also Israel. One student per cohort may be selected from each country for the European Scholarship Programme; students from EU countries and EU accession countries may also be granted funding under the Studienstiftung’s general sponsorship programme. Funding is granted for the standard duration of a master’s degree programme, i.e. usually for two years. The programme is available to students of all disciplines and for binational degree programmes at universities and universities of applied sciences. It is not available to students at colleges of art and music or those at universities of applied sciences pursuing studies in the visual and performing arts, design, film or music.

Students funded under the programme are to be encouraged to address subjects of pan-European relevance alongside their studies – through meetings and exchanges within this heterogeneous group of young Europeans, but also by participating in events on European issues organized by the Studienstiftung. Designed to promote academic and cultural diversity, the programme seeks to produce a creative space in which participants work together to help shape the future of Europe and its cohesion.

Scholarship benefits

• Need-based monthly scholarship, ranging between EUR 300 and EUR 1,112 plus additional benefits (e.g. health insurance, family allowance, etc.) for the standard duration of a master’s degree course. Extensions may be requested in duly substantiated cases.
• Two annual network meetings on European subjects and, optionally, participation in the Studienstiftung’s educational programmes relating specifically to Europe, such as the Europe Academy, an EU simulation game or a digital Europe-themed series. The costs of accommodation, meals and programme fees will be covered, travel expenses will be subsidised.
• Use of a digital programme area as an exchange and networking platform in the Studienstiftung Forum.
• Inclusion in the Studienstiftung’s peer programme. On request, Studienstiftung will identify a Studienstiftung scholar in the university town who will act as a direct contact for new arrivals, offering on-site guidance and support.
• For students from EU countries and EU accession countries admission to the Studienstiftung’s scholarship programme.

Application requirements

• For the winter semester 2024/25, the programme is available to students from the following countries: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom – more countries to follow within the next years.
• Open to students intending to pursue a three- to four-semester master’s degree programme in Germany (incl. binational programmes); proof of admission to a German university does not have to be available at the time of application but it must be submitted no later than by the start of the funding period.
• Open to students of all disciplines at universities and universities of applied sciences (except students at colleges of art and music and those at universities of applied sciences pursing studies in the visual and performing arts, design, film and music) who have a strong interest in European issues, have so far achieved above average results and have demonstrated outstanding commitment in their studies (10-15% top performers of the year).
• Students who have already completed their higher education entrance qualification or a bachelor's degree in Germany are not eligible for a scholarship.

Application procedure

• Candidates can only apply for the European Scholarship Programme if they have been nominated by a university lecturer.
• University lecturers can submit nominations for suitable candidates on the homepage of the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S. Based on these nominations, the Toepfer Stiftung invites candidates to submit their application documents.

The selection procedure consists of two stages. On the basis of the submitted documents, a jury decides in a preselection round which applicants will be invited to take part in the main selection procedure. In the latter, the finalists have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their studies. The selection interviews are conducted online and mainly in English.

Selection criteria

To be able to decide on applications in a fair and comparable way, the following five selection criteria are taken into consideration by the Studienstiftung.

• Intellectual skills
• Commitment and motivation
• Communication skills and articulateness
• Social skills
• Civic engagement and a broad range of interests

It is important to us that access to the Scholarship Programme is open and fair, and that scholarships are awarded regardless of socio-demographic factors such as gender, educational background or migration background. For this reason, the selection criteria are always considered in the light of individual biographies and personal circumstances. Political convictions, ideology and religion are irrelevant to the selection decision, providing the applicants are grounded in the principles of democracy.

Application period

The scholarship is awarded annually, usually for a two-year period. The nomination phase for the funding period starting in the winter semester 2024/25 begins in late summer 2023 and ends on 15 March 2024. The applications are open until 31 March 2024.

Important dates for scholarship holders

• May 2024: Online interviews
• 8 – 10 November 2024: Initial meeting in Hamburg
• Where applicable, March 2024: EU simulation game in Tutzing (Bavaria)
• 28 May – 1 June 2025: Network meeting in Siggen (Ostholstein)
• 25 August 2025: Studienstiftung’s “Europe Academy”
• 7 – 9 November 2025: Network meeting in Hamburg
• 13 – 17 May 2026: Final meeting in Siggen (Ostholstein)

Contact: Greta Schlünz, Head of Scholarship Programmes, E-Mail: schluenz@toepfer-stiftung.de

More information.