In 2026, Germany is one of the few places that offers “full-ride” funding for living and education. Most public universities in Germany don’t charge tuition, but the cost of living each month is a problem for international students.
The following scholarships are meant to give students a steady monthly allowance for the school year 2026–2027.
1. DAAD GSSP and scholarships for development
The main source of money for international students is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
- Monthly Allowance: €934 for master’s students and €1,200 for PhD students.
- Other benefits include health, accident, and personal liability insurance, as well as a travel allowance to and from Germany.
- 2026 Status: Numerous deadlines for the 2027 intake, particularly those related to development (EPOS), conclude between August and October 2026. The portal is often open year-round for PhD students, but the timing depends on the programme.
2. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Scholarship
This foundation helps students who are dedicated to social democracy and have a lot of academic potential.
- Monthly Allowance: €992 for master’s students and up to €1,500 for PhD students.
- Family Support: If you are travelling with a child, you can get an extra €276 a month for your family.
- For the Winter Semester 2026, the deadline is November 30, 2026. The last day to apply for the Summer Semester 2027 is May 31, 2027.
- Requirement: You can take your course in English, but to be competitive for this specific foundation, you must show that you know German well (B2/C1).
3. Scholarships from the Heinrich Böll Foundation
This scholarship is great for students who are interested in sustainability, human rights, and digital culture because it is connected to the German Green Party.
- Monthly Allowance: Non-EU master’s students get about €934 a month plus other individual allowances. PhD students get €1,350 a month plus a €100 a month mobility allowance.
- The next big application window for the Spring 2027 intake opens in July 2026 and closes on September 1, 2026.
4. Scholarships from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
KAS provides funding for international students who have already completed a degree in their home country and wish to pursue a master’s or PhD in Germany.
- Monthly Allowance: A minimum of €992 per month for master’s students for a duration of two years.
- Focus: Students with a high level of social or political engagement. Like FES, KAS usually requires a strong command of the German language (at least B2).
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM)
These are prestigious international programmes delivered by a consortium of European universities, including many in Germany.
- Monthly Allowance: A flat rate of €1,400 per month for the entire 24-month duration of the programme.
- 2026/2027 Note: Many individual programs, like Euroculture, have said there is not enough money for the 2026 intake, but other STEM and engineering consortia are still working. Look in the official Erasmus Mundus Catalogue for programmes that have German partner universities.
6. National Scholarship (Deutschlandstipendium)
Almost every German university offers this merit-based “top-up” scholarship.
- Monthly Payment: €300 a month.
- Selection: The university gives the award directly. The German government pays for half of it, and private sponsors pay for the other half. Anyone from any country can apply, and it doesn’t depend on how much money you or your parents make.
Final Thoughts
If you want to get a monthly allowance in Germany in 2026, the DAAD is still your best and most flexible option, especially if you come from a developing country. The FES and Heinrich Böll foundations pay more each month if you have a background in social or political activism, but you have to agree with their values. To meet the autumn deadlines, make sure you have your APS certificate (if your country requires it) and your German/English language certificates ready by June 2026.
Are you looking for a PhD position as a researcher, or are you already at the Bachelor’s level and want to start a Master’s?
