The "Basic Funding for Foreigners" of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) supports applicants of non-German origin who are already studying or doing a doctorate at a state or state-recognised university or university of applied sciences in Germany. Applications are open to students and doctoral candidates of non-German origin who have not been in the Federal Republic of Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application. However, this deadline does not apply to applicants who came to the Federal Republic of Germany in the course of their studies, doctorate or other scientific work or its preparation (e.g. language course, preparatory college) and who have already been in Germany for some time for this reason.

Applications are open to students and doctoral candidates of non-German origin who have not been in the Federal Republic of Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application.
However, this deadline does not apply to applicants who came to the Federal Republic of Germany in the course of their studies, doctorate or other scientific work or its preparation (e.g. language course, preparatory college) and who have already been in Germany for some time for this reason.

Above-average school and study-related achievements and first graded certificates of achievement are expected. A commitment to the values of social democracy is a further prerequisite.

Very good German language skills must be proven, even if the course of study is completed in English. Up to 40 people from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe are accepted into the support programme each year.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

a convincing personality and identification with the values of social democracy
socio-political engagement above-average performance

It is not possible to apply for a scholarship for the following training courses and projects outside of an existing FES scholarship :

Further training as a psychological psychotherapist
short-term stays abroad
Project proposal
Short-term studies (less than three semesters, e.g. two-semester Master's programs)
Research stays
Trainee programs
Preparatory College
Medical studies before passing the Physikum
Doctorate, continuing education and training in the field of medicine (specialist training)
pure study or doctoral completion phases
Postdoc projects
pure study abroad programs outside the EU
Part-time or part-time study (dual study programs are eligible for funding if full-time study is proven)
Second degree courses
Language courses
Internships and summer schools

An online application can be submitted at any time, but please note that certain semester numbers have not yet been exceeded.

For Master's degree programmes (four semesters), applications must be submitted by the end of the first semester.

If the criteria are met from the FES's perspective and you could therefore be eligible for a scholarship, you will receive an email from them requesting the following documents and reports:

Detailed CV with information about previous education and socio-political commitment
Certificates, university entrance qualification, enrollment certificate, other evidence
detailed letter of motivation
Two reports from university lecturers (for students and doctoral candidates) or teachers (for first-year students)