Scholarships - MSc Social Protection

A good first place to start when looking for funding is asking your current employer to help you finance your studies.

Local or regional scholarship options may represent a better chance at getting a scholarship for such a specialized field as social protection. For students applying from low and middle-income countries, multi- and bilateral development organisations, which are actively involved in the field of social protection could be contacted to explore funding possibilities from their local capacity development funds.

Keep in mind that many scholarships available in Germany are only available to students in their second or third semester, or to those going abroad.

Below, you will find useful information on possible opportunities. We will gladly assist you if you need more specific guidance in approaching your country or regional based organisations and funding institutions, making your application or in obtaining any other documentation.

Please make sure that you understand the eligibility criteria and that you fulfill them before applying for a scholarship.

SCHOLARSHIP DATABASES

We have collected a few interesting databases, where you can find more information on scholarships.

• DAAD (English/German)
• stipendienlotse.de (German)
• E-fellows scholarship (German)
• My Stipendium (German)
• Scholars4Dev (English)

ACADEMIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES

There are a few bilateral organisations in Germany that promote international academic relations and international development cooperation by offering scholarships for students in developing countries. Organisations such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) are prominent funding agencies which are private, publicly funded, self governing organisations of higher education institutions.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

• INFO: The German Academic Exchange Service (aka DAAD) offers more than 100 programmes to support students, post-graduates and scholars interested in international study. It also helps administer ERASMUS and Erasmus Mundus. WEB: www.daad.de (German/English)

POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS

Supporting international students is also in the interests of German political parties. They recognize that those who have studied here establish strong ties to German companies and organizations. Thus they look not just for great grades, but also for social engagement and political interest. In turn, those selected for a scholarship can expect more than material support. Political foundations often offer special training and supervision programs to help advance students’ education and careers.
(Source: Deutsche Welle)

Please note, that most political foundations require their scholarship-recipients to share the same values.

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS)

• PARTY AFFILIATION: CDU (conservative party) CONTACT: Rathausallee 12, 53757 St. Augustin PHONE: +49  (2241) 246-328 WEB: www.kas.de (German)

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung e.V. (FES)

• PARTY AFFILIATION: SPD (social party) CONTACT: Godesberger Allee 149; 53170 Bonn PHONE: +49 (228) 8830 WEB: www.fes.de (German/English)

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V. (HBS)

• PARTY AFFILIATION: Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (left winged with focus on ecological issues) CONTACT: Rosenthaler Str. 40/41, 10178 Berlin PHONE: +49 (30) 285 34-400 WEB: www.boell.de (German/English)

NON-POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS

Many non-political foundations in Germany offer scholarships to qualified students. Below is an overview of some of the foundations, which are financed by sources ranging from German companies, to scholarly organizations, churches and private individuals.
(Source: Deutsche Welle)

German National Academic Foundation

• INFO: With more than 11,000 scholars, the Studienstiftung (German National Academic Foundation) is the largest and oldest organisation sponsoring the academically gifted in Germany. It is non-political and non-denominational. The Studienstiftung promotes future excellence in the areas of science, business, public administration, and the arts. Through its sponsorship programme it promotes academic consolidation, interdisciplinary dialogue, a cosmopolitan world view and international experience. WEB: Studienstiftung.de (German/English)

Rochus und Beatrice Mummert Foundation

• INFO: The Rochus and Beatrice Mummert Foundation supports future executives from Central and Southeastern Europe with scholarships for studies in economics or engineering at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen or Cologne University. Scholarship holders also benefit from a comprehensive support program, including internships in German companies, personal counseling by tutors and mentors, as well as seminars and colloquia. WEB: www.MummerStiftung.de (German)

Otto Benecke Foundation (OBF)

• INFO: The Otto Benecke Foundation (OBF) offers education and scholarship programs to refugees, German repatriates and those who have received asylum in Germany. The non-profit organization was founded in 1965 and assists the students it selects with planning their education and starting their careers alongside the financial support it offers. WEB: www.obs-ev.de (German)

Please note: That the Otto Benecke Foundation supports people before they start studying at an university.

Germany Scholarship

• INFO: The Germany Scholarship provides financial and non-material support to high-achieving and committed students from all over the world. Modelled after the principle of public-private partnership, businesses, foundations or private individuals sponsor young talents with a pledge of 150 euros per month. The Federal Government matches this amount with another 150 euros. But there is even more: Many universities and private sponsors also support Germany Scholarship holders through concurrent mentoring programmes, networking events and internships. WEB: Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Universitie's Website (German) PHONE: +49 (30) 1857-0

RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS

A large number of religious institutions in Germany, offer their own scholarships. Many Religious foundations not only offer financial support, but also offer social activities, special training and supervision programmes to support students’ education and careers.

Please note, that most religious foundations require their scholars to share the same beliefs.

Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD)

• INFO: All scholarships by the agency Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) are administrated through KHG(s) in different places. KHG actually stands for Campus Ministries of German Universities and deals with Faith and Support of Catholic students. You can find more information on their website. Also another link of KAAD is also useful for your information in order to know more about scholarship programme No 2 for the foreign students. It is important to mention that the scholarships are not only for the catholic students but candidates from developing countries belonging to any faith can also apply. AFFILIATION: Chatholic churches CONTACT: Kath. Hochschulgemeinde, Brüdergasse 8, 53111 Bonn PHONE: (02 28) 91 44 50 FAX: (02 28) 91 44 530 WEB: www.kaad.de

Cusanuswerk: Support for Catholic Students

• INFO: The Catholic Church in Germany also supports outstanding Catholic students of all disciplines. Alongside the financial support, there is an expansive, interdisciplinary program that promotes leadership and communication skills among selected students. Foreign students can apply, provided they belong to an EU member state, are Catholic and have strong grades in the subject they wish to pursue. AFFILIATION: Catholic Church CONTACT: Cusanuswerk Baumschulallee 5, 53115 Bonn PHONE: +49 (228) 9 83 84 0 WEB: www.casanuswerk.de 

Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Church Development Service)

• INFO: The Church Development Service is another project supported by Germany's Evangelical churches. Each year, it sponsors around 1,500 projects and programmes worldwide, and the organisation offers scholarships to experienced individuals from developing countries to advance their education or earn doctorates. The aim is for scholarship winners to deepen the knowledge they've gained at home through praxis in order to help fight poverty. In some cases, the Service offers support to individuals who want to do work or research in developing countries. AFFILIATION: Evangelical churches CONTACT: Brot für die Welt - EED Stipendienreferat, Caroline-Michaelis-Str. 1, 10115 Berlin PHONE: +49 (30) 65211 0 WEB: www.brot-fuer-die-welt.de (German)

Avicenna-Studienwerk e.V.

• INFO: The Avicenna-Studienwerk is the youngest scholarship programme in Germany, which is supportd by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The institution financially supports gifted muslim students. AFFILIATION: Islam CONTACT: Kamp 81/83, 49074 Osnabrück PHONE: +49 (541) 440 113 -04 WEB: www.avicenna-studienwerk.de (German)