Frequently Asked Questions About the Application Process

The questions are organized by the following topics:
➤ Application Requirements
➤ Selection criteria
➤ Selection procedure and online application 

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Application Requirements

This page answers your Frequently Asked Questions about the selection process and the online application. Please make sure you have reviewed our information sheets for graduate students and PhD candidates.

What is a "university entrance qualification"?

This refers to your secondary school diploma that renders you eligible to pursue higher education. You must submit a (school) diploma to document your university entrance qualification. This refers to an Abitur/baccalaureate ("general higher education entrance qualification") or Fachabitur (subject-specific qualification to enter higher education), or a qualification earned via professional or vocational training (Meister, technicians, holders of Fachwirt diplomas or equivalent post-secondary qualifications), who are eligible to study a subject of their choice in Germany without generally having to take an aptitude test. Such a professional degree is thus equivalent to a "general higher education entrance qualification".

The term "higher education entrance qualification" therefore always refers to a school-leaving certificate or its equivalent, but not to an academic degree that qualifies its holder to pursue a PhD.

Am I a "Bildungsinländer" or a "Bildungsausländer"?

"Bildungsinländer" is a German term to describe both German nationals and non-nationals who obtained their higher education entrance qualification in Germany, as opposed to "Bildungsausländer".

"Bildungsausländer" is a German term to describe students who, unlike "Bildungsinländer," have obtained their higher education entrance qualification outside of Germany.

The distinction is made because the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Scholarship Department receives funding from both the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space in order to support both "Bildungsinländer" and "Bildungsausländer".

The two groups are subject to different eligibility requirements (see below). 

Who can apply for a scholarship and when?

The Scholarship Department conducts two selection procedures per year: Applications can be submitted by 1 March or 1 September of each year. Please refer to the current information on our website (homepage) to find out which group of applicants can apply when. We recommend you revisit the information for your applicant group on the website before you start preparing your application.

International students or Bildungsausländer (not educated in Germany) from EU and non-EU countries
can apply for funding if they already have a first professional degree, such as a Bachelor's degree. In this case, you are eligible to apply ...

• ... for funding for a Master's program directly before you start your studies or
• ... for "Diplom" degree programs, after passing the intermediate examination; or for degree programs with a state examination (Staatsexamen), after passing the "Physikum" or intermediate examination.

Here too, we recommend you apply once you know your subject and university location definitively, and once you have a Bachelor's or intermediate diploma ready to submit. The certificate of enrollment or certificate of admission must be submitted no later than by the third selection stage, which is the interview with the selection committee (usually May/June or December/January).

Good German language skills (DSH II or B2) are required. You must submit proof of your proficiency level along with your application.

German or international PhD candidates
German or international PhD candidates may apply once they have determined their research topic, have an exposé ready for submission, have identified a supervisor, and completed initial preparatory work. You should either have obtained or at least applied for admission to a PhD program, as confirmed by your supervisor. Written confirmation of admission to a PhD program may be submitted at a later point of the selection process.

Good German language skills (DSH II or B2) are required of international PhD candidates, as well. You must submit proof of your proficiency level along with your application.

Refugees
Students or PhD candidates who are refugees can apply regardless of their nationality or residence status. If you have acquired your higher education entrance qualification abroad, you will be subject to the same regulations as “Bildungsausländer*innen” (not educated in Germany); if you have acquired your higher education entrance qualification in Germany, you will be subject to the same regulations as “Bildungsinländer*innen”(educated in Germany).

Good German language skills (DSH II or B2) are required. You must submit proof of your proficiency level along with your application.
We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet the formal requirements listed here. We decide on these applications on a case-by-case basis.

Can non-EU international students also apply for a scholarship?

Yes, the Scholarship Department also supports students and PhD candidates from non-EU countries – provided they intend to study in Germany and are enrolled at a state-recognized German university or have been admitted into a PhD program.
Priority will be given to international students and PhD candidates from DAC countries.

We particularly welcome applications from students who have completed their Bachelor's/Master's degree abroad and are still in their home country at the time of application. 

Good German language skills (DSH II or B2) are required. You must submit proof of your proficiency level.

What proficiency level of German is required for me a foreign applicant or non-native speaker and how do I prove it?

You need level B2 or DSH II to be eligible for funding. Please submit proof of your language proficiency and upload it to the online application portal.

In which language do I apply? 

We expect your application documents to be in German. References, expert opinions, and translations of certificates and documents may be in English. PhD candidates must write the abstract of their exposé in German. The exposé itself may be written in English.

As a foreign applicant or non-native speaker, do I have to prove my level of German even my intended degree program in Germany is taught in English?

Yes, all our scholars must have sufficient German language skills. Please also note that the selection interviews in the third stage of the application process are generally conducted in German.

I am considered a Bildungsausländer (not educated in Germany). Am I eligible for funding abroad?

As a rule, Bildungsausländer are only funded to pursue graduate or PhD studies in Germany. International scholars may continue to qualify for funding during a stay abroad if it is of limited duration and academically necessary. Such a stint abroad must be specifically requested and justified. In this case, there will be no additional financial support for studies abroad.

Can graduates of German Auslandsschulen (schools abroad) apply?

Graduates of German schools abroad can apply for a Master's degree program in Germany regardless of their nationality. 
Good German language skills (DSH II or B2) are required. You must also submit proof of your proficiency level.

Can I apply for funding for a second Master's degree if I already have a Master's degree?

It is possible, but will be carefully considered with regard to your intended career.

Can I apply for a scholarship to fund a second Master's program if I have already dropped out of a first Master's program?

In principle, it is possible.

Can I apply for funding specifically for a Meisterschüler program?

No, a standalone postgraduate course is not eligible for funding. A postgraduate course such as a Meisterschüler program is only eligible for funding if we already sponsor your Master's or Diplom program.

Are scholarships available for attending a Studienkolleg (college prep course)?

No.

If I'm already receiving financial support from another foundation or working a job, can I apply for non-material support only?

No.

If I receive a scholarship from the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, can I also request non-material support from another grant-making organization?

No, so-called "double dipping" of non-material support is not permitted.

Can I also receive a scholarship from the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung if I already receive BAföG, a Deutschlandstipendium, or a scholarship from another grant-making organization?

No, so-called "double dipping" of funds for the same purpose is not allowed. Any BAföG payments or funding from another institution you receive must be discontinued prior to the start of our scholarship. PhD candidates who have previously received funding from other sources during any other periods (e.g., another scholarship, or a position as a research assistant related to the PhD) count towards the maximum funding period.

Is there an age limit for applying for a graduate or PhD scholarship?

We do not set any age limits for applicants. We also welcome candidates who have obtained their Abitur or university entrance qualification via an alternative educational route, or candidates who have completed an apprenticeship before their academic studies. We consider our support for graduate students and PhD candidates a tool to promote young talents who seek to start or advance their careers or gain further qualifications.

When we fund Bildungsinländer (educated in Germany), we are bound by the age regulations of the BAföG.

Can I apply if I intend to do a part-time Master's program?

No, students in part-time degree programs are not eligible for funding.

Are dual studies, distance learning, or part-time studies eligible for funding?

Funding for Bildungsinländer (educated in Germany) or refugees is governed by the provisions of the BAföG. That means you are eligible if your program is eligible for BAföG funding. We recommend you contact your local BAföG office for more information. 

Can I work a job alongside the scholarship?

Generally, our scholarship programs are not compatible with full-time employment.
Any additional income must be offset against the scholarship payment; to determine your ancillary income, the current earnings limit for marginal employment as per Section 8 (1) No. 1 SGB IV applies to international scholars from other EU-countries.

Can I apply for funding for my thesis only?

No, we do not provide funding specifically for finalizing your thesis (up to 12 months).

Does the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung award post-doc or habilitation scholarships?

No. We do not fund study projects by post-docs or a second PhD.

Can I apply for funding for a study or research stay abroad only, even if I am not a scholar yet?

Students and graduates who are planning a stay abroad, but are not yet scholars of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung cannot receive separate funding for a stay abroad.

Can I request printing costs or project funding (e.g., for study trips) from the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung if I am not a scholar?

No, we can neither grant printing costs nor project funding to external applicants.

Ich habe eine andere Frage und konnte dazu in den FAQs keine Informationen finden, was mache ich jetzt?

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2. Selection criteria

Diese Seite widmet sich häufig gestellten Fragen zu den Auswahlkriterien. Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie sich zunächst unsere Informationsseiten sowie unsere dort verlinkten Infoblätter für Studierende und Promovierende angesehen haben.

What final grade do I need to have in my Abitur, baccalaureate, or other school-leaving exam or diploma; or (for PhD students) my university degree in order to have a decent chance of receiving a scholarship from the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung?

While we expect very good academic performance both in school and at university, we do not specify a minimum grade point average. We assess each application individually and consider your overall biographical context. Also, we not only consider your grades, but also your general previous record, for example, if you had an unconventional educational journey.

What constitutes "civic engagement"?

We expect applicants and future scholars to support the goals of the Foundation and to show their active commitment to a just, democratic, and ecological world. We expect scholars to take on social responsibility and look beyond their own professional horizons. We expect international scholars from DAC countries to actively promote good relations between their home country and Germany.

To us, the scholarship is not merely a recognition for previous achievements, but even more so, an expression of the high expectations we have for our scholars. We expect them to pursue their studies with rigor, complete them successfully, and continue their civic commitment in the future.

How are my chances of receiving funding if I have very good grades at school and university, but I am not involved in any social cause or politically interested, or vice versa?

Generally, you should meet all three criteria. However, your personal circumstances may have prevented you from getting involved, for example for political reasons, or because of care work or gainful employment. Please explain this in your application; we will take it into account in our decision.

Do I have to be a member of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in order to receive a scholarship?

No.

Do I have a better chance of getting a scholarship if my PhD is on a "Green" topic?

Not automatically, since we seek to support personalities rather than merely promote topics. However, we particularly welcome dissertation topics that pertain to the Foundation's main focus areas.

What do you mean by "political interest"?

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung is a political foundation. We therefore expect our scholars to be interested in politics and political education.

Ich habe eine andere Frage und konnte dazu in den FAQs keine Informationen finden, was mache ich jetzt?

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3. Selection procedure and online application

Diese Seite widmet sich häufig gestellten Fragen zum Auswahlverfahren und zur Online-Bewerbung. Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie sich zunächst unsere Informationsseiten sowie unsere dort verlinkten Infoblätter für Studierende und Promovierende angesehen haben.

What does the selection process for Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung scholarships look like?

Our selection process consists of three stages:

1. formal review and evaluation of the application documents at the Scholarship Department (according to the four-eyes principle)
2. interview with academic advisor (Vertrauensdozent*in), in person or online
3. online interview with three to four selection committee members

Applicants whose application is approved at one stage will be admitted to the next stage.

Who can apply for a scholarship and when?

The Scholarship Department conducts two selection procedures per year: Applications can be submitted by 1 March or 1 September of each year. Please refer to the current information on our website (homepage) to find out which group of applicants can apply when. We recommend you revisit the information for your applicant group on the website before you start preparing your application.

How long does the selection process take?

From the time of application, 1 March or 1 September, the three-stage application process will take four to five months. Funding usually starts with the beginning of the winter term (if applying by 1 March) or at the beginning of the summer semester (if applying by 1 September), or somewhat earlier for PhD students.

Stage 1 – online application

Can I also send my documents by post?

No, we only accept applications submitted via our online portal.

What does the term 'Zugangsname’ (user name) mean in the registration process?

When you register in the online portal, you choose your own user name to protect against data misuse. Be sure to remember your user name. It will not be sent by email and you will not be able to request a new user name during the application process. If you forget your user name, you will have to re-register.

Why do I have to provide information about my studies or PhD project upon registration already?

The input mask for your application will be generated based on the answers you provide during registration. Students will only have to respond to questions that apply to students, and PhD candidates only to those that apply to them. If you change your mind later, you will have to re-register in order to be able to submit a complete application.

What technical aspects do I need to consider when completing the application form?

To ensure we will be able to read your application properly, please use the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill out the PDF form, which you can download for free here <link wie auf dt. Seite> . We cannot process documents prepared with Apple's "PreView/Preview" or the "Document Viewer/Ocular Document Viewer" by Linux/Ubuntu!

Only pdf and jpeg files can be uploaded.

Do I have to use the Scholarship Department's template for the expert report?

Yes, please only use the template provided for this purpose:

• for graduate students
• for PhD candidates

Who must complete the expert report?

For students:

• We prefer an expert report from a professor or research assistant (who must hold a PhD), either from your future degree program to which you are applying, or from your last degree program. Please approach them proactively and explain what you need from them.
• For students who are still working or just now starting or resuming their studies: The expert report can be provided by a qualified person (ideally a supervisor) from your work environment (internship references or reference letters are not accepted). You must use the template for expert reports here, as well. This means your expert will only complete the questions they are able to answer based on their role and from their perspective. Your expert should complete any fields they are able to address based on their knowledge about you (e.g., assessing your skills).

For PhD students:
The first expert report will be completed by your PhD supervisor. These can be professors, junior professors, or associate professors – university instructors who are authorized to supervise PhD theses.

Ideally, the second expert report should be completed by your future second assessor. If he or she has not yet been determined, the second opinion can be provided by another member of the university, such as professors (emeriti), junior professors, or associate professors, who preferably have a connection to the university where you intend to pursue your PhD.

Where should the expert report be sent and should I also upload it to the evaluation portal?

You have two options. Please choose only one: The expert report can be ...
Option 1 (preferred): ... sent by email (directly from the expert's mailbox to studienwerk@boell.de (in which case the expert report is also valid without a signature) or  
Option 2: ... uploaded by you in the portal (in which case the scan must include a signature).

How do I document my civic engagement?

Please only use the document - Reference social Commitment - provided for this purpose and observe the comments and instructions on the info sheets (A 1-1b and A 2-1b).

What do I submit as my "university entrance qualification"?

This refers to your secondary school diploma that renders you eligible to pursue higher education. You must submit a (school) diploma to document your university entrance qualification. The term "higher education entrance qualification" refers to a school-leaving certificate or equivalent, and not to a degree that qualifies its holder to pursue a PhD. See also the question "What is a university entrance qualification"?

Why does the application form ask for my parents' educational background and degrees?

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung expressly welcomes applications from students from non-academic backgrounds. To determine whether we even reach this target group, we specifically ask about your parents' educational background in our application form.

Why am I asked about my "history of migration"?

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung also expressly invites students with a history of migration and People of Color living in Germany. To determine whether we even reach this target group, we specifically ask about your migration history. The question is exclusively for applicants with German citizenship or a German university entrance qualification (so-called "Bildungsinländer").

How do I determine the right classification for subject group and field of study?

The subject group and field of study are classified according to the specifications of the Federal Statistical Office, even if your university uses other categories. You can find an overview here (PDF in German).

I earned my academic degrees abroad. What additional documents do I need to submit?

In addition to the general documentation requirements, we require a certified translation of degrees you earned abroad. Please combine the original and the certified translation into one document before uploading. 

How do I convert the grades I earned for my degrees abroad into the German grading scale?

Please use the "Modifizierte Bayrische Formel". You can find a conversion aid here (PDF in German).

What if I have already applied to the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung multiple times, or to another grant-making organization?

In this case, please enter the date of your last application to us or other organizations in the application form and let us know of any other pending applications in the section “H 4: "Möchten Sie uns noch etwas mitteilen?” (Would you like to tell us anything else?") in the application form.

What should I enter if I cannot provide an application date to another grant-making organization because I intend to apply there in the future?

The system does not accept future dates. Please select the day prior to you application date in the application mask and explain your plans regarding other applications in the section “H 4: "Möchten Sie uns noch etwas mitteilen?” ("Would you like to tell us anything else?")

Should I let you know if I was nominated for scholarship by a third party rather than applying for it myself?

Yes, please provide this information.

What should I enter in the field 'BAFÖG ELIGIBILITY'?

This question only applies to “Bildungsinländer*innen”(educated in Germany) or refugees who are entitled to BAföG. BAföG (short for BundesAusbildungsförderungsGesetz – Federal Training Assistance Act) is state financial support for “Bildungsinländer*innen” (educated in Germany) or refugees with residence status in Germany whose parents are unable to fully or partially finance their studies.

How do I upload my documents to the application portal?

To upload documents, please select the document on your device and upload it by pressing the green arrow. Once the document has been successfully uploaded, a check mark will appear in the last column.

Please note: Single documents may not exceed 5.00 MB!

What if there is no input field for the document I want to upload?

You might have to upload a document for which there is no input field provided. In this case, please label the documents and upload them in any available input field at the bottom of the application form.

What does the error message 'Runtime error' mean?

If the message 'Runtime error' is displayed, you have uploaded one or more documents exceeding 5.00 MB. Please compress any documents that exceed the file size limit and re-upload them.

Why can't I submit my application?

If the system won't let you submit your application, it means you have not pressed the green arrow.

How can I tell if my application has been submitted successfully?

You will receive a confirmation email immediately after submitting your application. After that, you will no longer be able to log back in.

Stage 2 – interview with academic advisors (Vertrauensdozent*in)

What role do the academic advisors play in the selection process?

The academic advisors, who are university teachers in Germany or abroad, conduct interviews with all applicants in the second selection stage (preferably in person, alternatively online, as agreed with the academic advisors). They will write a recommendation whether or not the applicant should be invited to the third selection stage. Applicants who receive a positive assessment from the academic advisor will be invited to the selection interview in the third round.

The Scholarship Department will notify you of your assigned academic advisor.

How can I prepare for the interview with the academic advisor?

Your interview with the academic advisor will focus on your intended studies or PhD project, your academic interests, focus areas, and goals. Your civic engagement or political interests may also come up, as well as your motivation to apply to the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. 

What if I can't reach the academic advisor with whom I am supposed to interview in the second stage of the application process, neither by phone nor email?

In this case, please first contact the relevant office at your academic advisor's university to enquire about their office hours or make a telephone appointment to discuss further arrangements. If this does not work, please contact the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Scholarship Department, preferably by email at: studienwerk@boell.de.
 

Stage 3 – online selection interview

Who is on the selection committee?

During the online interview in the third selection stage, you will be talking to three to four selection committee members, including one or two external members, a current scholar, and a representative of the Scholarship Department. The external members may (but do not have to) be university staff. They all bring their own expertise and represent different areas, such as science, civil society, the media, business, politics, and others. They are appointed by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. Many of the Foundation's selection committee members and academic advisors are alumni.

The scholars elect representatives to the selection committees.

How can I prepare for the interview in the third selection round?

The interview will focus on your intended degree program, your main areas of study or your PhD project, your own biography or resume, your civic engagement, and your political interests. We would also like to know what motivated you to apply to the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung.

Can I re-apply after having been rejected once?

You are free to re-apply if you have been rejected in stage one or two of our three-stage selection process. Please make a note of this circumstance in your application.

However, we do not accept repeat applications from candidates who were rejected in the third stage of the selection procedure.

I have another question that was not addressed in the FAQs.

If you have any further questions that are not addressed in the Online-Portal or on the Scholarship Department website, please contact: