In accordance with the national scholarship program Deutschlandstipendium, Freie Universität Berlin supports students of undergraduate and consecutive study programs (Bachelor, Masters, Staatsexamen) who demonstrate excellent grades, engage in non-university activities or face extraordinary conditions while pursuing their degree. The selection criteria for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship are set out in § 2 paragraph 2 of the scholarship program regulation (Stipendienprogramm-Verordnung).

PhD students are not eligible for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. The promotional portal of Freie Universität Berlin (Gateway for Doctoral Candidates) informs about funding opportunities for doctoral students at Freie Universität Berlin.

Students of Charité Universitätsmedizin apply for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship at Charité . Please contact deutschlandstipendium@charite.de.

Yes, those who apply for a study program at Freie Universität Berlin (beginners and those who already studied at university level and apply for a new study program) can apply. For beginners, university admission grades will be considered in the selection process. In these cases, letters of recommendation are issued by school teachers. For those who already studied at university level, the grade of the first degree will be considered in the selection process and letters of recommendation are issued by university teachers.

If the certificate of enrollment have not been issued yet by the time of the scholarship application, they may be submitted later on. Enrollment at Freie Universität Berlin is required for scholarship payments.

The monthly scholarship payment amounts to 300.00 EUR and is initially granted for 12 months. The funding period may be extended if the student’s study achievements justify the continuation of the scholarship and if private funding means are still available.

In addition to financial support, the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship program of Freie Universität Berlin offers the possibility for scholarship students to participate in the mentoring program and benefit from the support and feedback from an experienced professional.

Funding is normally granted for at least two semesters but may be provided for a maximum time which covers the standard period of study: usually a maximum of six semesters for Bachelor students and a maximum of four semesters for Masters students. An extension of the maximum funding period can be requested, if students face extra-ordinary conditions while pursuing their degree. These conditions are referred to in Section 7, Clause 1 of the scholarship program law and include serious reasons such as disability, pregnancy, the care and upbringing of a child or a subject-related stay abroad.

Applicants for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship whose study period has extended beyond the standard study period should provide information in the scholarship application on the reasons for the study period extension.

Receipt of the Deutschlandstipendium during a subject related stay abroad is possible if no other perfomance based scholarship is received for that stay. A combination with the Erasmus+ mobility program is possible in most cases. The Deutschlandstipendium office has to be informed of any stay abroad by scholarship holders.

Only students of Freie Universität Berlin can be awarded Deutschlandstipendium scholarships at this university. Only those enrolled or applying for a study program at Freie Universität Berlin and who provide a complete and timely scholarship application can participate in the application and selection process. The application process usually starts in the summer before the funding period starts in the winter semester. In order to submit the application, an online form needs to be completed and all required application documents need to be submitted by e-mail or post.

The following documents are usually required for the application:

- Completed online application form,

- Matriculation certificate,

- High School and University/College Certificates and Transcripts of Academic Records:

1. Copy of high-school leaving diploma/ Abitur (not if you are a Master’s student),

2. Copy of college or university degree (if you already graduated) or a current Transcript of Academic Records if your certificate has not been issued yet,

3. Transcript of Academic Records (transcript of courses and grades),

4. Applicants with grades from a non-German grading system: documents indicating the grades converted into the German grading system (i.e. Prüfbericht from Uni Assit e.V.)

-Copies of certificates of awards and prizes, documentation of scholarships, employment and internships, volunteer work and social or political commitment etc.

-If you would like to apply for a scholarship in the area of setting up new businesses: documentation of any activities in this area (e.g. setting up your own business, participating in the Business Plan Contest, Funpreneur Contest etc.)

-A recent letter of recommendation of a professor (or a teacher if you haven’t studied at university level before) which was written for the application for the Deutschlandstipendium. Please use the form which will be available in the call for applications or on www.fu-berlin.de/deutschlandstipendium in the section "Information for students" under "Call for Applications".

Please see the section "Call for Applications" for any updates on required application documents.

The selection of scholarship recipients is based on the selection criteria prescribed in the scholarship program law. Primarily, scholarships are awarded for outstanding school performance/ academic achievements. In addition, special achievements, professional activities, internships, volunteer work and unusual personal and family circumstances are taken into account. These include, for example, disabilities or chronic diseases, studying with children or taking care of relatives, a migrant background, or similar circumstances.

The legal basis for awarding the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship is the law establishing a national scholarship program (Stipendienprogramm- Gesetz – StipG) of July 21, 2010 (BGBl. I S. 957) amended on  December 21, 2010 (BGBl. I S. 2204) in connection with the regulation implementing the Deutschlandstipendien scholarship program law (Stipendienprogramm-Verordnung – StipV) on December 20, 2010 (BGBl. I, S. 2197). Awarding Deutschlandstipendium scholarships at Freie Universität Berlin is based on the executive board’s directive issued on August 29, 2011.

The selection committee, chaired by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, consists of at least one university lecturer or a professor from each of the following four subject groups

1. Science,

2. Life Sciences,

3. Humanities,

4. Socio-economic sciences and law

and at least one academic staff member and one student.

The Commission decides on the awarding of scholarships in reference to the legally prescribed selection criteria (s. § 2 paragraph 2 scholarship program regulation) on basis of the information provided by the candidates in their application. Based on the Commission's decision the executive board authorizes the scholarship allocation.

There is no legal entitlement to funding under the scholarship program law.

Scholarship recipients have no obligations to the sponsors funding the scholarships in addition to the federal government (StipG §5 paragraph 2).

However, all scholarship recipients are required to participate in the rule- compliant implementation of the scholarship program by

1. Providing information about any changes of circumstances that are relevant to the granting of the scholarship to the Germany Deutschlandstipendium office at Freie Universität Berlin (StipG §10 paragraph 2) ,

2. Reporting data to Freie Universität Berlin necessary for reporting to the federal government. This includes gender, nationality, type of degree, subject, number of semesters, receipt of benefits under BAföG (StipG §13 paragraph 2) .

A combination of a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship with other talent and performance-related funding models over 30 euros per month is not possible. These include the talent and performance-based funding of Begabtenförderungswerke (a list can be found on here), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) , the Vocational Training Programme for the Highly Talented (Stiftung Begabtenförderung für berufliche Bildung) and other domestic and foreign institutions. However, funding because of indigence or other criteria can be combined with the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. Similarly, non-material funding, such as mentoring programs, can be combined with the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.

The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship does not affect the funding through BaföG or child benefits (Kindergeld).