The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (close to liberal democratic values) funds high-achieving, socially engaged Master's and doctoral students from all countries studying full-time in Germany. Scholars receive financial support plus an intensive ideational programme — seminars, a global network and the Liberal Media Academy — as part of the "liberal family" in Germany.
Why it is notable: One of the few German political foundations that funds international (non-EU) Master's students directly — no FDP membership required, no age limit — with a straight two-window online application anyone can use.
Family- and childcare-related supplements where applicable (PhD)
Support for stays abroad where applicable
Contribution to health insurance (international student track)
Master's (non-EU): monthly stipend under Federal Foreign Office guidelines — exact rate not published on official pages (UNVERIFIED — confirm with the foundation)
The scholarship does not have to be repaid — it is a grant, not a loan
Ideational programme: seminars, networking events, the Liberal Media Academy, a self-organised scholar community, alumni network
Funding is initially granted for 1 year (student track), with annual extensions possible until degree completion
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor MastersMasters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for Masters and PhD programs (non-EU internationals: Master's and PhD only — Bachelor's degrees are not funded for non-EU students).
Who can apply
All nationalities. German and EU students: Bachelor and Master. Non-EU foreign students: Master's (or main phase of the Staatsexamen) and PhD only. Requirement: must not have stayed in Germany for more than 15 months before funding begins (except for study/research stays) — proven with passport entries/residence permit. Must study in Germany full-time; at least 2 semesters must remain at the start of funding.
Experience
No professional experience required. Liberal and social engagement, personality and academic performance are assessed together (equal weighting in the selection interview).
Language Certificate
Course-dependent — no language test is required for the application. BUT: application documents must be submitted in German, and the selection interview is held in German even for English-language degree programmes. German proficiency is essential for participation in the ideational programme.
Other Certificates
Completed application form, CV, academic certificates/transcripts, motivation letter, list of social engagement; two academic references from university lecturers (portal-generated link). PhD: first reference must be from the doctoral supervisor, second from a professor in the field of the doctorate or a related field. References preferably in German; English accepted if the referee does not speak German.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All nationalities eligible; non-EU internationals limited to Master's and PhD levels. EU students follow the domestic track.
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Language
Application documents in German; selection interview in German (even for English-language programmes); no language test required, but solid German is essential. Expert opinions may be in English if the referee does not speak German.
02
Qualification
Very good academic performance; Master's: completed Bachelor's; PhD: completed degree qualifying for doctoral admission plus a convincing, innovative research project; at least 2 semesters remaining at funding start (student track).
03
Documents
Full online application in German (form, CV, motivation letter, certificates, engagement list, proof of the 15-month rule).
04
Essays/answers incl. word limits
Motivation letter expressing liberal, open-minded engagement (no word limit published).
05
References
Two academic expert opinions from university lecturers (PhD: supervisor + field professor), submitted via the portal-generated link or by email to gutachtenbewerbung@freiheit.org.
06
Fee
None — the application is completely free.
Document checklist
011) Online application form (completed in the portal, in German)
022) tabular CV
033) motivation letter
044) academic certificates/transcripts
055) list/proof of social and liberal engagement
066) proof of the 15-month rule — passport pages / ID with residence permit
077) two academic expert opinions via the portal link (PhD: supervisor + professor in the field or a related field).
Application fee
No fee — completely free.
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: German national (long-stay) student visa; PhD candidates may use the researcher/student visa route — confirm with the German embassy in your country.
Application Procedure
8 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Check your eligibility on the official FAQ
and program pages (non-EU: Master's/PhD, full-time in Germany, max 15 months prior stay in Germany).
→
02
Wait for the portal window (1–30 April
/ 1–31 October); the portal opens roughly 4 weeks before the deadline.
→
03
Register in the foundation's online application portal
and complete the electronic application in German (motivation letter, CV, certificates, proof of 15-month rule via passport pages/ID with residence permit).
↓
06
Pre-selection by the foundation's talent-support team on
the overall picture (liberal/social engagement, personality, academic performance).
←
05
Submit by 30 April / 31 October
23:59. Correspondence during the process is by email only.
←
04
Invite two academic referees via the portal-generated
link so they can send their expert opinions directly (PhD: supervisor + field professor). References in German preferred; English accepted.
↓
07
Invited candidates attend the oral selection meeting
with the independent selection committee (typically end of February/early March and end of August/early September); funding usually begins the following semester.
→
08
Decision by email —
within two weeks of the selection meeting; new scholars are invited to the introductory event in Potsdam. 1) Online application form (completed in the portal, in German); 2) tabular CV; 3) motivation letter; 4) academic
Application milestones
30 Apr 2027
Application deadline
31 Oct 2026
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit platform.
Must I be an FDP member? A: No — FDP membership is not required.When can I apply? A: Only via the online portal, 1–30 April and 1–31 October each year; deadlines 30 April / 31 October at 23:59.Can I get individual feedback if rejected? A: No — not possible, partly for capacity reasons.Can I receive parallel funding from another public institution for the same purpose? A: No — double funding is not allowed.Is funding without money (ideational only) possible? A: No — purely ideational funding is not offered.Can references from abroad be used? A: Yes — references or proof of voluntary engagement from abroad may be in English and uploaded in the portal.When do I learn the outcome? A: At the latest 3 weeks after the selection meeting, by email.Do application documents have to be in German? A: Yes — application documents and the selection interview are in German even for English-language degree programmes; no language test is required for th
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Germany · Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit