Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany 2027: 15+ Best Picks for International Students

If you’re looking for fully funded scholarships in Germany, you’ve landed in the right place. Germany is one of the few countries left in the world where international students can earn a world-class degree at little to no tuition cost, and on top of that, dozens of organizations offer full scholarships that cover tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel costs.

In this guide, you’ll find a complete, regularly-updated list of the best fully funded scholarships in Germany for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, plus everything you need to know about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.

Why Choose Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany?

Germany abolished tuition fees at almost all public universities, which already makes it one of the most affordable study destinations on earth. Add a fully funded scholarship on top of that, and your entire cost of living, health insurance, and travel can be covered too.

Here’s why students actively search for fully funded scholarships in Germany every year:

Free or near-free public tuition at most state universities, even for international students.
Globally recognized degrees from institutions like TU Munich, Heidelberg University, and Humboldt University.
Strong post-study work options, including an 18-month job-seeker visa after graduation.
Hundreds of English-taught programs, so German fluency isn’t always required.
A wide funding ecosystem — the German government, political foundations, and universities all run their own fully funded scholarship programs.

Types of Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany by Study Level

Fully funded scholarships in Germany are generally grouped by academic level. Explore each category on LicensureHub for a full breakdown of open opportunities:

Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships — Bachelor’s-level funding, including Germany-specific options.
Fully Funded Master’s Degree Scholarships — the largest category of fully funded scholarships in Germany.
Fully Funded PhD Scholarships — doctoral funding, research assistantships, and stipends.

If you’d rather browse by continent-wide options first, check our master list of 60 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students and our dedicated Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships and Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships guides before narrowing down to Germany.

15+ Best Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany (Full List) {#list}

Below is our full, hand-checked list of the best fully funded scholarships in Germany. Where LicensureHub has already published an in-depth guide, we’ve linked directly to it. Where we haven’t covered a program yet, we’ve linked straight to the scholarship’s official page so you can start your application immediately.

1. DAAD Scholarships (Germany’s Largest Funding Body)

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the single largest source of fully funded scholarships in Germany, funding tens of thousands of international students and researchers every year across nearly every subject and degree level.

We’ve already written a complete, step-by-step breakdown of this program:
Read our full DAAD Scholarship guide

For official deadlines and the live scholarship database, visit the DAAD official scholarships page — this is the single most authoritative source for fully funded scholarships in Germany.

See how it’s structured inside our Technische Universität Berlin Scholarships guide, which covers TU Berlin’s Deutschlandstipendium allocation in detail.

For the national overview, visit the official Deutschlandstipendium program page.

3. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships

One of Germany’s most generous political foundation scholarships, ideal for students committed to ecology, human rights, or democracy-related fields.

Read our full Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships guide

4. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarship

A fully funded scholarship in Germany for master’s and PhD students with strong academic records and a demonstrated interest in political and social engagement.

Read our full Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship guide

5. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Scholarship

Backed by Germany’s oldest political foundation, FES offers fully funded scholarships in Germany with a strong focus on social democracy, labor studies, and public policy.

Visit the official Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung scholarships page

6. Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Scholarship

A fully funded scholarship in Germany aimed at students who champion liberal values, human rights, and free-market economics.

Visit the official Friedrich Naumann Foundation scholarship page

7. Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Scholarship

Ideal for students interested in social justice, gender studies, and critical political theory, this is another fully funded scholarship in Germany run by a major political foundation.

Visit the official Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung scholarship page

8. Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung Scholarship

Affiliated with the CSU party, this program funds outstanding international master’s and PhD students studying in Germany.

Visit the official Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung scholarship page

9. Studienstiftung (German Academic Scholarship Foundation)

One of the most prestigious and selective fully funded scholarships in Germany, open to exceptionally high-achieving students across all disciplines.

Visit the official Studienstiftung page

10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (Germany Tracks)

Many Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree programs include a German university as a core partner, making this one of the most competitive fully funded scholarships in Germany for students who want a multi-country European experience.

Visit the official Erasmus Mundus scholarships page

11. Max Planck Institutes — IMPRS PhD Scholarships

Germany’s Max Planck Society runs the International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS), offering fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany in cutting-edge science and technology fields.

Visit the official Max Planck IMPRS page

12. Helmholtz Association PhD Scholarships

The Helmholtz Association funds fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany across its network of national research centers, covering stipend, insurance, and research costs.

Visit the official Helmholtz careers & funding page

13. RWTH Aachen International Excellence Scholarships

A university-run, fully funded scholarship in Germany for high-achieving international master’s students at one of the country’s top engineering universities.

Visit the official RWTH Aachen scholarships page

14. Technische Universität Berlin Scholarships

A full university-wide fully funded scholarship program covering the Deutschlandstipendium, STIBET grants, and other TU Berlin-specific funding.

Read our full TU Berlin Scholarships guide

15. Scholarship Mastery Strategy Guide (Bonus Resource)

Before you apply to any fully funded scholarship in Germany, it’s worth learning how selection committees actually choose winners.

Read our Scholarship Mastery: 7 Powerful Secrets to Win Fully Funded Scholarships

Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany: Quick Comparison Table

Scholarship	Study Level	Covers Tuition	Monthly Stipend	Where to Apply
DAAD Scholarships	Bachelor’s–PhD	Yes	Yes	LicensureHub Guide
Deutschlandstipendium	Bachelor’s–Master’s	Partial + Stipend	Yes (€300)	TU Berlin Guide
Heinrich Böll Foundation	Master’s–PhD	Yes	Yes	LicensureHub Guide
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung	Master’s–PhD	Yes	Yes	LicensureHub Guide
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung	Master’s–PhD	Yes	Yes	Official FES Page
Studienstiftung	Bachelor’s–PhD	Yes	Yes	Official Studienstiftung Page
Erasmus Mundus (Germany tracks)	Master’s	Yes	Yes	Official Erasmus Mundus Page
Max Planck IMPRS	PhD	Yes	Yes	Official Max Planck Page

Eligibility Requirements for Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany

While every program has its own specific criteria, most fully funded scholarships in Germany share a common baseline:

A recognized bachelor’s, master’s, or equivalent degree (depending on the level you’re applying for).
A strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a German grade of 2.5 or better.
Proof of English or German language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or a German-language certificate like TestDaF).
A motivation letter, CV, and academic reference letters.
A clear research proposal (for PhD-level fully funded scholarships in Germany).
Some foundations (like Heinrich Böll or Rosa-Luxemburg) also expect demonstrated social or political engagement.

If you don’t yet have an IELTS score, don’t rule yourself out — see our guide on Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS for alternative-proof options that many German universities accept.

What Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany Actually Cover

A genuinely fully funded scholarship in Germany typically includes:

Full tuition waiver (though many public universities are already tuition-free).
Monthly living stipend, usually between €850–€1,300 depending on the program and degree level.
Health, accident, and liability insurance.
Travel allowance to and from Germany.
Additional allowances for research, family, or German language courses, depending on the sponsor.

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany (Step-by-Step)

Choose your program and level using our undergraduate, master’s, or PhD hubs.
Shortlist 3–5 fully funded scholarships in Germany you’re eligible for using the list above.
Prepare your documents early: CV, transcripts, motivation letter, references, and language certificates.
Secure university admission where required (most DAAD and university-run scholarships need an admission letter or conditional offer).
Apply through the official portal — always apply directly on the scholarship’s official website, linked throughout this guide.
Track deadlines carefully. Most fully funded scholarships in Germany open applications between September and December for the following academic year.

More Scholarships You Should Explore Next

Widening your search beyond Germany dramatically increases your odds of winning funding. Here are a few internal resources worth bookmarking next:

Final Thoughts on Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany

Germany remains one of the smartest places on earth to pursue a tuition-free or fully funded degree, and the list of fully funded scholarships in Germany above should give you more than enough options to start applying today. Bookmark this page — we review and refresh it every year so you’ll always have the most current list of fully funded scholarships in Germany in one place.

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Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany 2027: 15+ Best Picks

Table of Contents

Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany 2027: 15+ Best Picks for International Students

Why Choose Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany?

Types of Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany by Study Level

15+ Best Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany (Full List) {#list}