A wide variety of funding options are offered by public and private entities outside the university. Due to the sheer scale of different options, it is impossible to give a comprehensive overview here. We have compiled a list of possible scholarship providers that you can use to take as a basis for your own research.
Options for scholarships and funding outside of FAU
Click on the tabs to receive further information about options for scholarships and funding.
Students with a permanent place of residence in Germany may be eligible for a BAföG grant for spending time studying their subject abroad. Obligatory internships abroad are also eligible for funding.
As different rates are taken to calculate BAföG for a stay abroad, students may be entitled to a BAföG grant while abroad even if their parents’ income means that they are not eligible for a BAföG grant while studying in Germany.
Please note that you cannot as a rule apply for BAföG funding if you do not have German citizenship or have not lived in Germany for a long time already. In case of doubt, check with the relevant Training Assistance Office (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) to see whether you are eligible to apply.
Further information on BAföG for stays abroad is available in the flyer on the website of the German National Association for Student Affairs (in German).
Please submit your application for BAföG while abroad to the Training Assistance Office responsible for your destination. There you will receive all the documents you require to apply. If you have any questions regarding BAföG while abroad, please contact the relevant Training Assistance Office directly. They are the only ones who can give you reliable answers.
If you are already receiving a BAföG grant in Germany, you cannot just take it abroad with you. In this case, you have to submit a separate application for funding for your stay abroad.
You should file an application for BAföG while abroad as soon as possible. You should submit your application to the Training Assistance Office responsible for your destination at the latest six months before you start your stay abroad.
If you are not eligible for BAföG while abroad, you may consider applying for a loan known as a Bildungskredit.
In order to specifically support academic exchange between Bavarian universities and certain regions in the world, the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science and the Arts has set up University Centers. These University Centers provide advice on initiating new academic collaborations and international research projects. For students, the Bavarian University Centers offer advice and funding programs:
- Bavarian Academic Center for China (BayCHINA)
- Bavarian Academic Center for Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (Bayhost)
- Bavarian-Indian Center for Business and University Co-operation (BayIND)
- Bavarian University Center for Latin America (BAYLAT)
- Franco-Bavarian University Center (BayFrance)
- Bavarian Research Alliance (Scientific Coordination Office Bavaria-Québec)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the largest funding organizations for international exchanges for students and researchers. It sees itself as a driving force and an intermediary for international collaboration in the area of education and is committed to improving international relations and securing peace. The DAAD offers students a wide range of information and a number of different funding programs.
DAAD scholarships are awarded in recognition of the achievements of students with good grades. For your application to have the best chance of success, you should prepare it carefully and submit it as early as possible. Be sure to plan enough time for organizing letters of recommendation.
All the information about the DAAD application procedure, deadlines, required documents) is available in the DAAD scholarship database.
In general, you should apply directly to the DAAD for the DAAD funding programs, with the exception of the DAAD-PROMOS scholarships that are awarded by the various faculties at FAU.
The Fullbright Program is a prestigious scholarship provider that encourages academic exchange to and from the USA. The program is named after the US senator James W. Fulbright. The German-American Fulbright program was established in 1952 and until the current time has funded more than 45,000 US American and German citizens.
Fulbright offers scholarships for students and graduates from all disciplines. Please note that German citizenship is normally a prerequisite for applying to the German-American Fulbright Commission. Students who are not German citizens should check whether they can apply for a scholarship from the regional Fulbright Commission for their home country.
In order for your application for a Fulbright scholarship to be successful, you should not only have above-average grades, but also be willing to actively encourage cultural exchange between Germany and the US.
Fulbright Program advisors at FAU provide advice on opportunities for studying, teaching and carrying out research in the USA. Usually, they have experience of studying or researching at universities in the USA themselves and often act as reviewers in the Fulbright Commission’s selection procedure.
A number of foundations that offer support for gifted and talented students also offer funding for spending time abroad. Generally, the foundations provide funding for students studying in Germany. Funding includes additional allowances and travel grants for stays abroad. Under certain circumstances, they may even pay for tuition fees abroad.
Find out as much as you can about the foundations early on in your studies and check whether you may be eligible to apply. You do not need to have outstanding grades to apply. The foundations predominantly support talented and committed students who play an active part in society.
You can only receive funding for a stay abroad if you are included in the foundation’s regular funding program. It is not possible to apply to the foundations just for funding for a stay abroad.
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes is the only foundation to offer open scholarships for stays abroad. Their prestigious, open scholarship programs for stays abroad are aimed at students who would like to spend at least one year studying in China, Japan, Eastern Europe and the USA to gain further academic qualifications (often for full-time study leading to a degree). You can apply for the open scholarship programs even if you are not current receiving a scholarship from Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes.
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes e.V.
The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes is the oldest and largest organization for the promotion of young talent in the Federal Republic of Germany. The foundation offers open scholarship programs for students who would like to study abroad.
Max Weber-Programm des Freistaats Bayern
The Max Weber Program is aimed at gifted and talented students at universities in Bavaria. Students who receive a scholarship from the Max Weber Program can receive financial support for stays abroad as part of their funding.
If you would like to apply, you must be enrolled at a university in Bavaria. You should be a citizen of an EU country and be no older than 23 at the time funding starts. Exceptions are possible, however.
Avicenna-Studienwerk
The Avicenna-Studienwerk funds Muslim students from all disciplines. In justified exceptional circumstances non-Muslim applicants may also apply for funding.
If you would like to apply, you must either have German citizenship, the citizenship of an EU member state or the status of a “Bildungsinländer” (a foreign citizen who has completed their education in Germany) pursuant to Section 8 BAföG.
Cusanuswerk e.V.
The Cusanuswerk e.V. is the organization for the promotion of young talent of the German Catholic church. It provides funding for students of the Catholic faith.
If you would like to apply, you must either have German citizenship, the citizenship of an EU member state or the status of a “Bildungsinländer” (a foreign citizen who has completed their education in Germany) pursuant to Section 8 BAföG.
Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk
The Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk funds Jewish students and students of Jewish Studies.
If you would like to apply, you must either have German citizenship, the citizenship of an EU member state or the status of a “Bildungsinländer” (a foreign citizen who has completed their education in Germany) pursuant to Section 8 BAföG.
Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst e.V.
The Evangelische Studienwerk Villigst e.V. is the organization for the promotion of young talent of the Protestant church in Germany. It provides funding for students who are members of a Protestant church. In justified exceptional cases, students who do not fall into this category may also receive funding.
If you would like to apply, you must either have German citizenship, the citizenship of an EU member state or a country undergoing accession negotiations with the EU, or Switzerland, or the status of a “Bildungsinländer” (a foreign citizen who has completed their education in Germany) pursuant to Section 8 BAföG.
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung provides funding for students who believe in striving for a fair society following the principles of Social Democracy. All students enrolled as a regular student at a university in Germany can apply for funding. International students studying in Germany can also apply.
Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom funds students who stand up for freedom and democracy. All students enrolled as a regular student at a university in Germany can apply for funding. International students studying in Germany can also apply.
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung
The Hanns Seidel Foundation has links to the CSU political party and funds students with good grades who volunteer or take part in social projects.
If you would like to apply, you must either have German citizenship, the citizenship of an EU member state or the status of a “Bildungsinländer” (a foreign citizen who has completed their education in Germany) pursuant to Section 8 BAföG.
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
The Hans Böckler Foundation is a foundation with links to trade unions. It provides scholarships for young people who would like to take on responsibility in society.
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung has links to the Green party. The foundation provides scholarships for students who identify with the ideas and ideals of green politics. All students enrolled as a regular student at a university in Germany can apply for funding. International students studying in Germany can also apply.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation that is committed to the ideas and principles of Konrad Adenauer. It provides scholarships for students who take on responsibility for democracy and civic engagement.
Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung is a political foundation with links to the left-wing party DIE LINKE. The foundation is guided by the principles of democratic socialism. Funding is available to students with good grades who make an outstanding contribution to society.
All students enrolled as a regular student at a university in Germany can apply. International students studying in Germany can also apply.
Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft
The Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft offers several funding programs. Basically, it provides scholarships to students who make an active contribution to the community.