Heinrich Böll Foundation (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung), Scholarship Department · Application cycle 2027/2028

Heinrich Böll Foundation Doctoral Scholarships for International Students in Germany 2027/2028

Not open yet Partially funded?

About this scholarship

A monthly scholarship from a German political foundation for international students doing a PhD at a German university. Applicants from DAC countries who still live outside Germany get priority, and German at B2 level is required.

Funding type

Covers: EUR 1,500 a month for doctoral students from outside the EU, plus a mobility allowance of EUR 100 a month and other individual allowances, according to the foundation's overview dated October 2026. The scholarship normally runs for three years and can be extended by up to six months. Tuition fees: the information sheet dated June 2025 says they are not funded, while the Financial Support page lists a refund of up to EUR 10,000 a year as an optional part that depends on your situation. Payments for this round start on 1 October 2027 at the latest.

Tuition fees: Not covered
Living costs: Covered
Travel: Not specified
Insurance: Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities: All nationalities
Residence condition: No residence condition

International doctoral students who earned their graduate degree outside Germany Priority goes to applicants from DAC countries who do not live in Germany when they apply A university degree and admission to a PhD at a state or state-recognised German university, or an application for admission confirmed by your supervisor, with preliminary work on the project and a timetable German at level B2 or DSH II, with a certificate Social commitment and political interest in line with the foundation's aims If you reached the third selection stage before and were rejected, you cannot apply again

Minimum grade: Not stated
Work experience asked for: Not stated
Return condition: Return condition not stated
How to apply: Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required DSH Other test No waiver

German at level B2 or DSH II, with a certificate, even if your PhD is in English. The FAQ names DSH II, while the information sheet dated June 2025 says DSH 1. The stage three interview is usually held in German. Documents are in German, but the references and the exposé may be in English, while the exposé summary must be in German.

University admission details

Required before applying?

Apply online only. The portal for the round the foundation calls Spring 2027 opens on 15 January 2027 and closes on 1 March 2027. The complete application, including references sent by the referees themselves, must arrive by then. Only the university's confirmation of your doctoral admission may come later. No time is stated. Selection has three stages: the written application, an interview of about an hour with a liaison lecturer appointed by the foundation, usually by mid-May, and an online interview with a selection committee between May and July. Results come in June or July. The stages come from the information sheet dated June 2025, and the amounts from the overview dated October 2026. Check the website for a newer version before you apply.

Required documents

Application form for a PhD scholarship, filled in with Adobe Acrobat Reader Degree certificate, with a German or English translation and an explanation of the grading if needed Confirmation of admission to doctoral studies, or a letter from your supervisor German certificate at B2 or DSH II Exposé of the PhD project of up to 10 pages, with a timetable of up to 36 months Reference on your social commitment, on the foundation's form Two expert reports from professors or lecturers, one of them your main supervisor

Application steps

Find a supervisor at a German university and apply for admission to the doctorate. Get your German certificate at level B2 or DSH II. Ask your supervisor and a second academic for the expert reports, and a third person for the social commitment reference, on the foundation's forms. Register on the portal from 15 January 2027 and submit everything by 1 March 2027.

Requirement checklist

Admission to a PhD at a German university Required

Or an application for admission confirmed by your supervisor. The university's confirmation may follow during the selection.

German certificate Required

Level B2 or DSH II.

PhD exposé Required

Up to 10 pages, with a timetable of up to 36 months.

Two expert reports Required

From two professors or lecturers, one of them your main supervisor, on the foundation's form.

Social commitment reference Required

From a person other than the two expert referees, on the foundation's form.

Scholarship contacts

Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship Department: [email protected]

Universities and contacts