Heinrich Boll Scholarships for Undergraduates, Graduates, and PhD Students

Heinrich Boll Scholarships for Undergraduates, Graduates, and PhD Students is a scholarship programme instituted by the Heinrich Boll Foundation. The aim of this scholarship programme is to provide financial assistance to graduates, and doctoral students from outside Germany. An application for a scholarship for an undergraduate degree is not possible. This foundation has awarded scholarships to almost 1,200 undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students. The proceeds of this scholarship can be used towards tuition fees, spouse/child care and health cover.

Shortlisting Process

The selection of scholars for the Heinrich Boll Scholarships for Undergraduates, Graduates, and PhD Students involves a multi-stage process. The scholars will be selected after a thorough assessment of merit of all the applicants. The selection process includes:

• Telephonic interviews for further shortlisting of candidates.

Terms and Conditions

The continuation of the scholarship depends on the good academic performance of the scholars in the examinations conducted by their respective universities.

Renewal cases of stipend holders who are not promoted to the next year will not be considered for further renewal.

• Applicants are expected to have a sound academic record.
• Applicants need to be socially and politically engaged, and to have an active interest in the basic values of the foundation: ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice.
• Applicants must be enrolled in a Masters Degree course at the state or state-recognized university in Germany.
• German proficiency: Level B2 or DSH 2 (with certificate).
• Interview: Interview with a liaison lecturer, usually held at your university or near where applicant lives (telephone interviews may also be held).

The application has to be submitted online in German with supporting documents.

Application Documents

• SOP: Applicants must mention their motivation for applying to the Heinrich Böll Foundation, motivation for studying applicants chosen subject, and of his/her main areas of interest.
• LOR: Two references required. One from a third-party reference on your social commitment and Second from an expert reference from a university or college lecturer, or for school leavers from a schoolteacher (1–2 pages).
• 1st Reference should be a confirmation and detailed description of applicants' social commitment by a person of your choice who knows him/her well and is able to assess your commitment. This person should be neither a friend nor a member of his/her family. Wherever possible, he or she should be a representative of an institution or an organization. The referee may post or email the reference directly to the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Alternatively you yourself can upload the reference to the application portal.
• 1st Reference should contain the following information:
• A description of applicants' social commitment, especially in areas in which they have actively assumed responsibility. The reference should state exactly what the applicant has done or achieved to date, assessing in particular aspects of his/her commitment that are not sufficiently apparent from your CV or your statement of motivation.
• A personal assessment of applicants' specific concerns and which particular causes him/her support.
• An assessment of applicants' ability to reflect on political affairs and an appraisal of his/her personality. The context in which the referee made the applicant acquaintance and how long he or she has known the applicant.
• CV: Resume is required.
• Transcripts: A copy of Abitur, baccalaureate or university entrance qualification, or if applicable the last three interim certificates if Abitur certificate has yet to be issued at the time of your application.
• A list of study certificates to date if the applicant has already commenced his/her studies.
• Student enrolment certificate.
• Written proof of German language proficiency.
• Application documents are required in the German Language. References, expert opinions and, if applicable, translations of certificates and documents can be written in English. For graduate students, the abstract must be written in German, the exposé itself can be written in English.