Financial and non-material support is not only provided by the university, but also by external foundations and funding organisations. The scholarships from the funding organisations usually run for three years. Most have application deadlines twice a year, others once a year, which you can find on the foundations' websites.
In order to apply for such a doctoral scholarship, you already need a certificate of acceptance as a doctoral candidate from the doctoral committee.
In general, you should ask yourself: Do I as a person and does my doctoral topic fit in with the foundation's credo, political or religious convictions?
To give you an overview of which foundation or funding organisation suits you and your doctoral topic, we have compiled the following list for you. The list begins with a special offer from the DAAD for universities of applied sciences (UAS). All subsequent entries are listed in alphabetical order.
Please note: The information provided on this website regarding application deadlines is intended as an initial non-binding guide. Only the information on the official websites of the respective foundations and funding organisations is binding.
| Institution | Explanations of the orientations and specialisations as well as links to the respective websites | More information |
| DAAD - HAW.International | A special offer for doctoral candidates at UAS (universities of applied sciences): The DAAD program "UAS.International: Research scholarships for doctoral candidates" supports research stays abroad for doctoral candidates at UAS. Applications can be submitted at any time, at the latest 3 months before the period abroad. | Info |
| Cusanuswerk | Applications to the Cusanuswerk are open to academically qualified and socially committed applicants from all disciplines. The condition is a committed affiliation to the Catholic Church. Two application deadlines per year: 1 June and 1 November | Info |
| German Federal Environmental Foundation | The German Federal Environmental Foundation awards doctoral scholarships to junior researchers from all disciplines who are conducting advanced research in the field of environmental protection. Two application deadlines per year: 15 January and 15 June | Info |
| Evangelisches Studienwerk e. V. Villigst | The programme supports graduates of all disciplines who belong to the Protestant Church and have above-average university studies and examination performance. Two application deadlines per year: 1 June and 1 December | Info |
| Friedrich Ebert Foundation | In addition to above-average academic achievements, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung expects its scholarship holders to show commitment in line with the foundation's values, e.g. active participation in the student association, youth work, involvement in associations and NGOs or in political organisations related to the foundation. Application deadline: None - applications can be submitted at any time. | Info |
| Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | In addition to above-average achievements, applicants must provide evidence of political and social commitment at university, in a liberal party, in social institutions, associations or initiatives. Two application deadlines per year: 30 April and 31 October | Info |
| Hans Böckler Foundation | The Hans Böckler Foundation supports doctoral candidates who are particularly gifted in research and are involved in trade unions or social policy. Support is provided for doctoral degrees in all disciplines - also within the framework of doctoral research groups, junior research groups or graduate centres. The specialisations of the funding are the topics of gainful employment, the welfare state, non-formal learning, sustainability and structural change. Two application deadlines per year: 28 April and 2 November | Info |
| Hanns-Seidel-Foundation | The conditions for scholarship are above-average achievements, involvement in a political, church or social environment and personal aptitude: a sense of civic responsibility, political open-mindedness and an affirmation of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation's goals. Application deadline: 15 July; the application portal is open from 15 June (deadlines may change annually, please check the foundation's website). | Info |
| Heinrich Böll Foundation | The Heinrich Böll Foundation supports doctoral candidates from all disciplines. Conditions are outstanding university studies or academic achievements, social commitment and political interest as well as an active engagement with the foundation's core values: ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. Two application deadlines per year: 1 March and 1 September | Info |
| Johannes Hübner Foundation | The Johannes Hübner Foundation particularly supports projects in the fields of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and interdisciplinary systems engineering, but also relevant foundational research and topics from current scientific and technical application areas. Application deadline: None - application possible at any time | Info |
| Konrad Adenauer Foundation | The Konrad Adenauer Foundation considers applicants with above-average professional qualifications, voluntary commitment and proximity to the foundation's political location. Two application deadlines per year: 15 January and 15 July | Info |
| Robert Bosch Foundation | The Robert Bosch Stiftung offers numerous scholarship programmes that are only awarded through calls for proposals. The topics are health; education, society and culture; international understanding Western Europe, America, Turkey, Japan, India; international understanding Central Europe, Southeast Europe, CIS, China. Application only within the framework of advertised programs - deadlines depend on the project. | Info |
| Rosa Luxemburg Foundation | The conditions for a scholarship from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation are an outstanding degree and evidence of a strong social commitment in the areas of democracy, social justice and solidarity, as well as the equalisation of social, gender or ethnic discrimination. Application deadline: 1 October each year; the application portal opens approx. 6 weeks before the closing date for applications. | Info |
| Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e. V. | The Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft provides information on various funding opportunities on this page. In addition to searching for relevant foundations, it is also possible to search for scholarships. The application deadlines can be found under the respective funding opportunities. | Info |
| Foundation of German Business | The Klaus Murmann Scholarship Programme is the central study programme of the Foundation of German Business. Applications are open to doctoral students from all disciplines who are socially committed and have a determined approach to their personal development. Application deadline: Deadlines vary annually, please check the foundation's website for more information. | Info |
| German National Academic Foundation | The Studienstiftung supports doctoral candidates who completed their degree no more than five years ago and who are no older than 37. Doctoral funding must be proposed by the supervisor of the dissertation. Application deadline: None - applications can be submitted at any time. | Info |