University Of Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships 2026

What the Scholarship Covers & How Much Support You Can Get

From what I gathered, the benefits include:

Other supports include:

• Coverage of health insurance costs. globalsouthopportunities.com+3Selibeng.com+3Scholardigger+3
• Family allowance / child support if you have children. Scholarships.com.pk+2scholarshipsandaid.org+2
• Non‐material support: seminars, networking, mentoring, integration into the FES network. fes.de+29scholarships.com+2

Who Is Eligible / Key Requirements

Here are the eligibility criteria and what they typically ask:

• Must be studying at a public or state‑approved German university or a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule). mena.fes.de+2fes.de+2
• All disciplines are eligible except medicine in many cases (or at least “postgraduate medical training” is often excluded). mena.fes.de+2scholarshipsandaid.org+2
• Academic performance: good grades; first graded certificate(s) must be available. If applying as an undergraduate, evidence of academic merit. Selibeng.com+2fes.de+2
• Social & political commitment: FES looks for candidates who are involved in community, social initiatives, NGOs, political/student engagement, etc., and who align with values like social justice, democracy, solidarity. mena.fes.de+2fes.de+2
• German language skills are required (to some degree). Even if your degree is taught in English, having certain German proficiency (e.g. DSH‐2, TestDaF level, Goethe Zertifikat) is expected in many cases. Selibeng.com+2fes.de+2
• The timing of application matters: for first‐degree students (undergrad), one often applies before or early in their studies; for higher levels similarly. There are limits like up to a certain semester before the standard end of your programme. fes.de+2Selibeng.com+2
• They also accept refugees. fes.de+1

What It Does Not Cover / Limitations

• Second degrees (i.e., if you already have a degree of similar level) often are not eligible. mena.fes.de+2fes.de+2
• The final stages of degree programmes (i.e. very close to finishing) sometimes are excluded. mena.fes.de+1
• Pure study visits / language courses only / internships abroad only are often not funded. mena.fes.de+2scholarshipsandaid.org+2
• Medical postgraduate training / clinical phases of medical degrees often excluded. mena.fes.de+1

Number of Scholarships & Timing

• Germany‐wide FES scholarship programme gives out ~ 40 new scholarships per year for international students in many of the informational sources. Scholarship Opportunities+3fes.de+3Scholardigger+3
• Applications deadlines vary by type (Undergrad, Master, PhD) and by semester (winter/summer) and usually have specific cut‑offs relative to semesters. fes.de+2Scholarships.com.pk+2

What You Should Double‑Check (for 2026, as an International Student)

Because details can shift year to year, here are things you should confirm:

1. Exact deadline for 2026 for your level (Bachelor / Master / PhD). The sources show e.g. 30 November 2025 in some cases for certain programmes. Study Abroad+2Scholarships for Development+2
2. German language requirement for the programme you want. Even if your target course is in English, FES often demands German proficiency. Get the certs ready (DSH, TestDaF, Goethe etc.).
3. Your current status: are you already enrolled in Germany? Do you have acceptance if you are not yet enrolled? Some parts of the programme require you to be already in Germany or have a supervisor, depending on the level. mena.fes.de+1
4. Study programme eligibility: whether your discipline is accepted; whether medical training / final clinical phases are excluded; whether second degree etc.
5. Application materials: proofs of academic transcripts, recommendation letters, proof of social/political engagement, German language certificate, motivation letter, etc.
6. Duration of funding and what happens if your study extends beyond the “standard study period”.