Top 10 Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students

Germany, a land renowned for its academic excellence and cutting-edge research, attracts a diverse student population from across the globe, including many aspiring Indian students. Pursuing higher education in Germany can be a rewarding experience, but it often comes with significant financial considerations. The country has always upheld the quality of education with one of the cheapest education systems in the world. To alleviate these concerns, numerous Germany scholarships are available specifically for Indian students. This blog post will delve into the top 10 scholarships in Germany for Indian students including the prestigious DAAD Scholarship and the Heinrich Böll Scholarship, providing valuable insights into funding opportunities that can make your German educational journey a reality.

Types of Scholarships in Germany

Germany offers Scholarships at different levels and is funded by different authorities. Government authorities in Germany have already subsidized undergraduate education for native and international students. Despite this, there are three main types of scholarships offered in Germany. 

Type of Scholarship	Description	Examples
Government-funded	Offered by the German government or agencies	DAAD Scholarships, Erasmus+
University-specific	Provided by individual universities	Merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships
NGO Scholarships	Funded by non-profit organizations	Heinrich Böll Foundation, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Corporate Scholarships	Offered by companies	Bayer Scholarships, Bosch Scholarships

Government Funded Scholarships 

These scholarships by the government are flexible in the amounts based on the financial conditions of the beneficiary.

Non-Government Funded Scholarships

The non-government scholarships are funded by various organisations which include multiple universities and colleges as well. There are two main types of scholarships under this category: 

Universities Specific Scholarships

The universities provide scholarships based on the merit and financial conditions of the candidate. 

Course Specific Scholarships

These scholarships are funded by various organisations and are specific to the choice of course. Some scholarships are automatically offered by the choice of course such as the German Language Course. 

Also Read: 5 Reasons to Study in Germany for Indian Students

List of Top 10 Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students

Here are 10 prominent scholarships for Indian students seeking higher education in Germany:

Scholarship Name	Type	Coverage
DAAD Scholarships	Government-funded	Monthly stipend, travel costs, health insurance, tuition fees (in some cases)
Erasmus+	Government-funded	Contribution to travel, living, and study costs
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships	NGO-funded	Monthly stipend, travel costs, health insurance, tuition fees
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships	NGO-funded	Monthly stipend, travel costs, health insurance, tuition fees
Deutschlandstipendium	Government-funded	€300 per month
Bayer Foundation Scholarships	Corporate-funded	Varies depending on the program
Goethe Goes Global Scholarships	University-specific	Monthly stipend, travel costs, health insurance
ESMT Women’s Academic Scholarship	University-specific	Partial or full tuition waiver
Jacobs University Scholarships	University-specific	Varies depending on the scholarship
University-Specific Scholarships	University-specific	Varies greatly depending on the university and the specific scholarship.

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Scholarships (DAAD)

The most popular scholarship offered by the German Academic Exchange Service is the DAAD. It is only available to those enrolled on higher education under the exchange programmes in Germany. 

This scholarship is provided to enhance international relations between countries. It funds a lot of scholarships for studies and research programs in Germany. The details about the scholarship are mentioned hereunder. 

Name	Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Scholarships
Provided by	German Academic Exchange Service
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	Engineering and Science
Benefits	Funds and Internships based on course and merit
Scholarship Amount	750 EUR – 1,000 EUR/Month
Other Benefits	Travel Expense Health Insurance Spouse Allowance
Application Deadline (Tentative)	Winter Intake – 15 July 2025 Summer Intake – 15 January 2025 (Passed, Next Date: TBA)
Offered to	International students in Graduation, Postgraduation and PhD
Renewable	Yes
Eligibility	All international students under exchange programs

European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students scholarships (ERASMUS+)

ERASMUS is another government-funded scholarship program for international students in Germany. Maintained and operated by the European Commission this scholarship is the most popular one among international students. 

This scholarship is offered in partnership programs and more than 4,000 institutions from 37 countries across the globe are a part of this program. It offers scholarships to extraordinary students from every field coming to study in Europe. The important details of the scholarship program are given below.  

Name	European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students scholarships
Provided by	European Union
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	All fields
Duration	Max 24 months
Benefits	Funds and Placements
Scholarship Amount	European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students Scholarships
Other Benefits	InsuranceSection of Travel costs (T&C apply) Monthly subsistence allowance
Application Deadline (Tentative)	27 May 2025
Offered to	Meritorious International students pursuing Higher Education from institutes under the exchange program
Renewable	Yes
Eligibility	Enrolled for higher education abroad with a 6.5 IELTS Score

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships are offered to international students and special advantages are given to students coming from developing countries like that of the MENA Region. 

The scholarship provides an excess of connectivity through seminars and alumni networks to the beneficiaries to assist them in finding work opportunities or research projects. A monthly allowance based on the degree being pursued is offered to the selected beneficiary annually. 

Name	Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships
Provided by	Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation
Selection Criteria	Merit Based
Stream	All fields
Duration	2- 3 Years
Benefits	Financial Aid
Scholarship Amount	Average: 850 EUR – 1200 EUR/Month (Special advantages to students from developing nations)
Other Benefits	Postgraduation and PhD students of the MENA Region
Application Deadline (Tentative)	Fall Intake: 15 July 2025
Offered to	Postgraduation and PhD students of the MENA Region
Renewable	One time payment
Eligibility	Enrolled for higher education abroad and under the age of 30 years

Click here to know more: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship

Heinrich Boll Scholarship

The Heinrich Boll Scholarship is offered by the Heinrich Boll Foundation every year. In each academic year, the foundation offers 1,200 scholarships to students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees abroad. 

Students with an aptitude to perform phenomenally in their respective fields with a sound knowledge of the political and social stature of the world are highly preferred. Students who uphold the ideology of a democratic world are encouraged in the program. 

Name	Heinrich Boll Scholarship
Provided by	Heinrich Boll Foundation
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	Throughout studies
Duration	Throughout the period of studies
Benefits	Financial Aid
Scholarship Amount	Average: 850 EUR – 1200 EUR/Month
Other Benefits	Stationary and Books Allowance
Application Deadline (Tentative)	Spring Intake: 1 March 2025 Fall Intake: 1 September 2025
Offered to	Postgraduation and PhD students
Renewable	Upto 1 semester
Eligibility	Proficiency in German: B2 or DSH2

Bayer Foundation Scholarships

The Bayer Foundation offers three different types of Scholarship programs to German and International students. The various scholarships offered are Otto Bayer Fellowships in Drug Discovery, Jeff Schell Fellowships for Agricultural Science, and Carl Duisberg Fellowships for Medical Sciences. 

Certain fields of study like Medical Engineering, Applied Medical Science, Public Health and Data Science do not apply to the scholarship program. 

Name	Bayer Foundation Scholarships
Provided by	Bayer Foundation
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	Science Field
Duration	2 years
Benefits	Financial Aid
Scholarship Amount	Average: 6400 EUR – 20,000 EUR/Year
Other Benefits	–
Application Deadline (Tentative)	Applications open: 13 February 2025 Application Deadline: 10 April 2025
Offered to	Apprentices, Students of Master, PhD & Medical courses and Teachers
Renewable	Yes
Eligibility	Innovative research proposal

Goethe Goes Global Scholarships

Students often aspire to study abroad after the completion of their graduate degrees. The specialisation in the master’s programs not only provides excellence in experience and coursework but also a chance to avail the course with low investment. 

Among the many programs that offer scholarships for master’s degrees is the Goethe Goes Global Scholarships organised to improve the scope of foreign students going for higher studies. Each year this scholarship is offered to 20 meritorious students from different countries. 

Name	Goethe Goes Global Scholarships
Provided by	Goethe University
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	University list of 75 Programs
Duration	2 years
Benefits	Financial Aid
Scholarship Amount	Average: 1,000 EUR/Month
Other Benefits	Skill Seminars Networking with Global Researchers Placement support
Application Deadline (Tentative)	Fall Intake: 31 August 2025
Offered to	Masters
Renewable	Yes
Eligibility	University List of 75 Programs

ESMT Women’s Academic Scholarship

The European School of Management and Technology has aimed at reducing the gender disparities in high-paying jobs abroad. The women who apply under the self-funded courses of the institution are eligible to apply for the scholarship program.

These scholarships are provided after the evaluation of candidates based on global leadership skills, interpersonal skills, academic achievement and international projects and assignments that they are part of. 

Name	ESMT Women’s Academic Scholarship
Provided by	European School of Management and Technology (ESMT)
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	Management
Duration	2 years
Benefits	Financial Aid
Scholarship Amount	Average:15,000 EUR/Year
Other Benefits	Additional Scholarships to top-performing candidates under Executive Transition Program
Application Deadline (Tentative)	Spring intake:  2 April 2025 Summer Intake: 1 July 2025 Fall intake: 1 October 2025, 2 November 2025
Offered to	Women pursuing Management courses in ESMT
Renewable	Yes
Eligibility	Minimum GMAT Score of 700 and scholarship essay

Jacobs University Scholarships

Management courses are high in demand worldwide. Global leaders today are emerging from different nationalities and gaining positions at economic giants of the world as CEOs, management staff and Leaders. 

Jacobs University Scholarships are to promote the ideas coming from the brightest minds across the nations in the newly emerging fields. The scholarship is offered by Constructor University which is one of the top-ranked universities in the Times Higher Education list. 

Name	Jacobs University Scholarships
Provided by	Constructor University
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	Data Engineering Supply Chain Management Data Science for Society and Business
Duration	2 years
Benefits	Financial Aid
Scholarship Amount	Average: 8,000 EUR -12,000 EUR/Year
Other Benefits	Repayment of the remaining Tuition fee after getting placement
Application Deadline (Tentative)	Fall Intake: 1 June 2025
Offered to	Students enrolled for MSc at Jacob University
Renewable	Yes
Eligibility	6.5 IELTS Score, Knowledge of German Language

EMS Undergraduate Scholarship

The EMS Undergraduate Scholarship is one of the best options for those applying for graduate courses abroad. The scholarship is offered in two categories one is for excellence in academics known as the Best Performer Scholarship and the other is for active participation in Social Activities known as the Social Engagement Scholarship. 

Name	EMS Undergraduate Scholarship
Provided by	European Management School
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based, Social Engagement
Stream	All UG Courses in the College
Duration	2 years
Benefits	Tuition fee discount
Scholarship Amount	50% discount on tuition fee
Other Benefits	–
Application Deadline	March 14, 2025
Offered to	Undergraduate Students from any Nationality
Renewable	Yes
Eligibility	Enrollment in EMS undergraduate program with above average performance.

DLD Executive MBA Scholarship

A professional in the fields of Digital, Media, Technology, Advertising, Designing, Marketing, Journalism, Gaming and entertainment can avail of the DLD Executive MBA Scholarship to study in Germany. 

The candidates can choose to pursue their jobs while they upskill themselves to a much higher level with an MBA in Leadership Program that allows them to compete globally for top-management jobs. Along with the basic intake of beneficiaries, the university also selects three additional applicants who are granted an amount of 10,000 EUR as aid towards their studies. 

Name	DLD Executive MBA Scholarships
Provided by	Berlin School of Creative Leadership
Selection Criteria	Merit-Based
Stream	MBA in Leadership Program
Duration	2 years
Benefits	Financial Aid
Scholarship Amount	Average: 53,000 EUR
Other Benefits	Can work while studying
Application Deadline (Tentative)	September 2025
Offered to	Work professionals enrolled in MBA in Leadership Program
Renewable	–
Eligibility	Candidates who are already in leadership positions

Also Read: Best Countries with Free Education 

How to Get a Scholarship in Germany?

Want to study in Germany for free? Here’s your guide to finding scholarships for Indian students.

• Determine your field of study and the specific degree you’re pursuing (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD).
• Research German universities and their programs that align with your interests.
• Explore government-funded (DAAD), university-specific, NGO-funded, and corporate scholarships.
• German or English proficiency is crucial.
• Internships, research, and volunteering enhance your application.
• Clearly articulate your goals and motivation.
• Request letters from professors or supervisors.
• Highlight your education, experience, and skills.
• Connect with other students, alumni, and professionals for valuable insights.
• Request letters from professors, supervisors, or mentors who can attest to your academic abilities and potential.

Tips to Apply Germany Scholarship for Indian Students

Here are some tips on how to apply for scholarships in Germany to boost their career and academic excellence. 

1. Research the conducting body and send the application directly to the organising committee. Some scholarships are provided by government bodies while some are privatised or funded by the university itself.
2. Keep checking the deadlines and apply at least a week before the deadline. Some scholarships are awarded annually while others are offered on a semester or quarterly basis. 
3. Mention your intent and purpose for pursuing the course. Academic excellence and other achievements should be listed in the essay. Candidates should also talk about their research projects and proposals submitted at the university in case of research-based courses. Justifying a political and social view may also be helpful in some cases, where the universities support global harmony. 
4. Attach all necessary documents based on the eligibility criteria. 

Documents Required for Scholarship in Germany For Indian Students

The following documents are mandatory to submit at the time of application to be considered for the top 10 scholarships in Germany for Indian Students 

• A Valid Passport.
• University Offer Letter.
• Copies of Educational Qualification.
• Scorecards of Language Proficiency Tests in English and Germany (if applicable).
• Passport-size photographs.
• A detailed Resume.
• Letter of Recommendation
• An essay stating the purpose of pursuing the program from Germany. 

Above mentioned is the list of the top 10 scholarships in Germany for Indian Students. Those students who are looking to study in Germany should apply for these scholarships before the deadlines.

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