Organisations For Promoting Young Talent

There are 11 organisations for promoting young talent (Begabtenförderungswerke) in Germany, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Their aim is the individual promotion of responsible elites by giving financial and other support to students and doctoral students.
Each organisation has a slightly different focus and varying requirements. Below, you find a short profile of each and the link to its webpage. A summary of the organisations is also available from www.stipendiumplus.de.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Foundation associated with the Social Democratic Party; funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from home and abroad; requirements are above average academic performance and voluntary sociopolitical or social activities. -> Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung
Funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from home and abroad; requirements are a high academic qualification, personal qualities and voluntary political or social activities based on a liberal ideology. Foreign students from countries where the association manages projects are favoured. -> Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Foundation associated with the Green Party; funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from home and abroad; requirements are above average academic performance and outstsanding personal qualities, proof of willingness to take over responsibilities. -> Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Cusanuswerk
Foundation of the Catholic Church; funds students with excellent academic performance and reflective abilities who show serious commitment to faith and dialogue. -> Cusanuswerk

Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst
Foundation of the Protestant Church; scholarships are available for students from Germany and Europe in all subjects; requirements are an affiliation with the Protestant Church, academic excellence and demonstrable religious, social, or political commitment. -> Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst

Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung
Foundation associated with the Christian Social Union; funds German students as well as postgraduates particularly from Third World countries (based on a recommendation by partner organisations of the foundation); requirements are academic excellence, good knowledge of German and socio-political commitment. -> Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung

Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
Foundation of the Confederation of German Trade Unions; target group is candidates with excellent academic performance and socio-political commitment, especially if they have work experience and would not be able to fund university studies otherwise -> Hans-Böckler-Stiftung

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Foundation associated with the Christian Democratic Union; funds students from Germany and abroad who display academic excellence and willingness for social commitment based on the values of the foundation -> Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Foundation associated with the Left-wing Party; funds students from Germany and abroad below an age of 30 based on academic performance and strong social commitment following the ideals of the foundation. -> Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung

Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft
Foundation of German business; supports students from Germany and abroad; besides academic excellence and socio-political involvement candidates should demonstrate clear goals for their own development. -> Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft

Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes
Largest foundation in Germany, independent of political or religious beliefs; mainly aimed at students from Germany and Europe below an age of 30; self-applications are not possible, the candidates must be recommended by teachers or university professors. -> Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes

KAAD (Katholischer Akademischer Austauschdienst)
Funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from abroad. Funding is based on the need for specialists in the applicant’s home country; catholic laymen with religious beliefs who are actively involved in church are supported. In exceptional cases non Catholics may be supported.; requirements: above average academic qualifications, personal integrity, willingness to share knowledge to serve society and the church in the applicants home country, good knowledge of the German langauge or the ability to improve the language skills within an acceptable period of time. For more information, visit KAAD.
Database of the Science Support Center at Freiburg University

BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research)