With its scholarships the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, KAS) would like to contribute to the education and further training of the next scientific generation.
The aim of the sponsorship is that graduates assume responsibility in state and society, in science and economics, politics and administration, media and culture in their home countries after completing their scholarship. Apart from the formal requirements, applicants are therefore also expected to demonstrate commitment to political and social issues in their applications. Former scholarship holders are also expected to maintain contact with the employees of the KAS and to support them in their work.
All scholarship holders are integrated into scholarship holders´ groups, advised by liaison lecturers in subject-related and personal matters and invited to study-integrated and cross-subject seminars. The study scholarships are open students of all disciplines.
Eligibility Criteria
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
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be able to provide evidence of above average academic performance
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bring broad general education and distinct interest in political issues
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have a positive attitude towards democracy and human rights
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have been actively engaged in voluntary work for the benefit of the people and the society in their home countries
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be open to develop their personal points of view and practice tolerance towards those with different beliefs
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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
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the participation in at least four multi-day seminars of our annual agenda,
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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
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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.
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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.
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Persons having already achieved a doctorate are not eligible for a scholarship.
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There is an age limit of 30 years for all applicants.
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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.
Offered Benefits
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. Prerequisites are the submission of an official German translation of the child’s birth certificate and the official rejection of your demand for public child allowance. PhD-scholars can apply for financial assistance for foreign research stays, although we do not fund participation in congresses or symposia.
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: 1. Personal contact to and mentoring by the referees of our Sponsorship Program for Foreign Students and by the KAS representatives at the universities. 2. An internal seminar program for all our scholars. 3. The diverse activities of the regional scholar groups at the universities.
1. Mentoring by our referees and representatives at the universities
Our program referees and representatives at the universities supervise and consult our scholars personally. They follow the progress of your studies as well as your participation in the seminar program and the activities of your regional scholar group. Our foundation attaches great importance to continued development of your social commitment. The overall objective is to support you in identifying and in improving your individual strengths.
2. A varied and sophisticated seminar program
The seminars, which are held exclusively for our scholars, are to expand the general education of our scholars and to qualify them in their areas of studies. The seminars give opportunity for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and information with other scholars and acknowledged experts. The range of topics includes historical, political, economic and social issues. Vocational preparation seminars help our scholars to strengthen their soft skills and to facilitate the transition from studying to professional life.
3. Being part of a regional scholar group and of our Buddy-Program
The regional scholar groups at the universities are being managed independently by our scholars. Each semester, they create for themselves a program of diverse activities. Your scholar partners in your regional group will help you to settle in and to get used to your new surroundings. In this context, we invite our foreign scholars to take part in our Buddy-Program. On request, we identify an experienced German scholar to support you during the settling in period at your university in Germany and to facilitate your connection with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and your regional scholar group.
Our network of former scholars
It is a matter of particular interest to the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung to encourage networking between our current and former scholars. Over 13.000 alumni form a living and global network of former KAS scholars who play active roles in politics, economics, science and society all over the world, who remain at the same time committed to our foundation and its current scholars. More than 50 regional alumni groups worldwide and several specialized sub-networks give great opportunities to our former scholars and allow them to remain connected to our foundation. This alumni network also provides practical assistance: its members finance a Social Fund which provides help to current and former scholars in cases of need. Moreover, the network promotes scientific and social projects.
