Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship 2026

Level of Study
Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD
Host Country
Germany
Offered By
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Eligible Nationalities
Eligible Programs
Eligible Institutions
... Show more
Number of Recipients
Not Specified
Scholarship Category
Partial Funding
Scholarship Duration
Bachelor's: 4 Years, Master's: 2 Years, Ph.D: 3.5 Years
Scholarship Type
Non-Profit Organization
Application Deadline
Varies by Institution

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung scholarship supports talented students and doctoral candidates who are studying or conducting doctoral research in Germany. It is open across academic fields, including artistic degree programs, first-degree programs, Master’s or postgraduate study, and doctoral degrees, with the exception of certain excluded fields or study formats.

The program combines financial support with non-financial development opportunities. Scholarship holders may receive monthly funding, health insurance support where applicable, family or child-related allowances in certain cases, and access to seminars, workshops, mentoring, local scholarship-holder groups, and a wider alumni and student network connected to the values of social democracy.

Applicants are expected to show strong academic performance, social or political engagement, and alignment with the values of social democracy. International applicants must already be studying in Germany at the time of application and must be able to prove strong German-language skills, even if their study program or dissertation is conducted in English.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Coverage

This non-profit organization partially funded scholarship for international students covers the following:

  • Monthly allowance of €934 for students
  • Monthly allowance of €1,200 for postgraduates
  • €276 family allowance, if applicable
  • Reimbursement of health care costs
  • *Any income above €400 per month will be deducted from the scholarship amount.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • Study or conduct doctoral research at a state or state-recognized German higher education institution.
  • Live in Germany and submit the application in German.
  • Demonstrate strong German-language ability; international applicants must provide recognized proof of German proficiency.
  • Have good or above-average academic results in school, university study, or their completed degree.
  • Show social, political, or community engagement.
  • Identify with the core values of social democracy.
  • Must already be studying in Germany when they apply.
  • Must have first graded university results available.
  • Admitted for doctoral study at a German university.
  • Doctoral applicants must have completed their previous degree quickly and with strong results.
  • Doctoral research proposals must make a meaningful academic contribution.
  • Applicants in medicine may apply only within the limits stated by the foundation; medical doctoral projects and certain medical training stages are excluded.

Please refer to the Eligibility Page for detailed information on the eligibility requirements for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship.

Disclaimer:

The foundation does not support all study formats or projects. Exclusions include short stays abroad, project-only proposals, study programs shorter than three semesters, research visits, traineeships, university preparatory courses, most medical doctoral or continuing-training projects, final-only study or doctoral phases, postdoctoral projects, study-abroad programs outside the European Union, part-time or extra-occupational study, language courses, second degrees, internships, and summer schools, unless covered by an existing FES scholarship.

Application timing and funding levels vary by applicant group, degree level, nationality or residency category, and scholarship program. Applicants should check the relevant program page before applying.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Application Process

In this section, we'll provide a clear general overview of requirements and steps to guide you through the application process for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Application Requirements:

To begin your application for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship, you'll need to prepare and submit the following documents:

  • Completed online application form in German
  • Personal details and background information
  • Information about family and professional background
  • Statement explaining motivation to become a Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung scholarship holder
  • Description of social or political engagement
  • Detailed curriculum vitae covering education history and engagement activities
  • Academic certificates and transcripts
  • University entrance qualification where applicable
  • Certificate of enrollment or admission letter where applicable
  • Other supporting documents requested for the selected scholarship track
  • Detailed motivation letter
  • Two academic or teacher recommendation reports, depending on the applicant category
  • Recognized proof of German-language proficiency for international applicants

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Application Procedure:

To apply for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship, please follow these steps:

  1. Choose the scholarship program that matches the applicant's degree level and applicant category.
  2. Complete the relevant online application form in German.
  3. Provide initial information about personal background, family and professional background, motivation, and social or political engagement.
  4. Wait for the foundation's initial review of formal and content-related eligibility.
  5. Submit the requested documents and recommendation reports if invited to continue.
  6. Attend a first selection interview with a liaison lecturer if shortlisted.
  7. Attend a second interview with a member of the selection committee if moved to the next stage.

Important Note: The application procedures and required documents for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship may vary depending on your degree, program, nationality and other factors. For specific details regarding the requirements, kindly visit the official website of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Deadlines

Now that you’re familiar with the application procedure, it’s time to know the application dates! Knowing the dates for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship will help you prepare early and it will also give you the time you need to put together a competitive application.

The application deadlines for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship vary. It’s important to review official guidelines on the official website or contact administrators for specific deadlines. Make sure to regularly check the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship page for the latest and most accurate information on application deadlines.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Eligible Institutions

The eligible institutions for Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship are Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Heidelberg University, Free University of Berlin, RWTH Aachen University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Humboldt University of Berlin ... Show More

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Official Page

With the help of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship, you’ll surely be able to support your studies abroad! To learn more about Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship, and its coverage, application process and deadlines, make sure to visit their official page!

Official Scholarship Page

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Doctoral Scholarship Scholarship Recipients

Júlia de Freitas Sampaio

PhD in Social Sciences
Brazil
Humboldt University of Berlin

Júlia de Freitas Sampaio from Brazil completed her PhD in Social Sciences at Humboldt University of Berlin with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung doctoral scholarship, and she is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Luxembourg focusing on inequality in service and infrastructure access and its impact on disaster risk reduction during extreme weather events. She prepared by carefully studying scholarship calls, identifying institutional fit, contacting potential host researchers, writing precise research proposals with clear methods and timelines, and seeking feedback from colleagues across disciplines. Check out her story to learn how she secured this funded doctoral scholarship and built an international academic path across Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, and Luxembourg.

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