Hessen-Fonds - Scholarships for Refugees and Researchers at Risk

Hessen-Fonds-Scholarships for Refugees and Researchers at risk

As part of the HessenFonds, the Hessian Ministry for Science and Art awards scholarships for particularly talented and high-performing students, doctoral candidates and scientists who have been persecuted or have fled their home country. The funding shall enable them to continue their studies or their scientific career at a state university in Hessen. Students should especially be supported in the early phase of their studies. Researchers and doctoral students who are at risk in their country of origin due to their identity or their political/civil engagement can also apply if they reside in their country of origin or in a third country of the EU.

Requirements

Researchers at risk
• Applicants at risk in their country of origin because of their ethnic, sexual, gender or religious identity or because of political or civic engagement. The risks may include a threat to personal well-being or security (e.g. physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, loss of job/doctoral position for political reasons or similar) as well as an armed conflict in the country of origin.
• Applicants must be in their country of origin or in a third country outside the EU at the time of application.

Refugee students, doctoral candidates and researchers
• Status of asylum or recognised refugee for no longer than 4 years by the start of funding.
• Residence in Germany not longer than 5 years Students with a refugee status
• Enrolment at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences PhD students
• Acceptance as a doctoral candidate including confirmation of supervision at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences Researchers
• Confirmation of a research or teaching position as well as confirmation of supervision from a mentor at Fulda University of Applied Sciences

Scope of Funding
Students: 300 euros/month
PhD candidates: 1,200 euros/month
Researchers: 2,300 euros/month

Funding period
April 2026 – März 2027

Application
A direct application to the Hessian Ministry for Science and Art is not possible. Further information and application documents are available from:

Contact person for Students:
Christina Pitz
International Office
pitz@hs-fulda.de

Contact person for doctoral candidates and researchers:
Dr Jorge Mondejar Fernandez
International Office
mondejar-fernandez@hs-fulda.de

Application deadline
Request the online forms (registration and reports) to the appropriate contact person and submit the complete documents by December 15, 2025.