Home / Opportunities / Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for Graduates and PhD Students — Spring 2027 application round ("Tailwind for Talents")
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Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships for Graduates and PhD Students — Spring 2027 application round ("Tailwind for Talents")

Funded Open
Closes soon1 Mar 2027 —
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A
any state or state-recognised German…

Key facts

Stipend
unverified from official pages viewed
Subject
All disciplines
Intake
2027
Degree
Masters / PhD
Deadline
1 Mar 2027

Overview

Germany's green political foundation funds international graduates and doctoral candidates from DAC (developing) countries to do a Master's or PhD at any German university. The Spring 2027 application portal opens 15 January 2027 and closes 1 March 2027; a second Fall 2027 round runs 15 July–1 September 2027. You apply before starting your degree in Germany — it is designed for people still in their home country.

Why it is notable: unlike DAAD, this is a political foundation's own programme with its own values-based selection (democracy, ecology, human rights, social justice) — strong activists with excellent grades are exactly the profile, yet most applicants have never heard of the thirteen German Begabtenförderungswerke; the foundation also runs seminars, mentoring and networks (ideelle Förderung) beyond the money.
Funding at a glance

What it covers

  • Monthly stipend plus allowances for the standard period of study (stipend figures unverified from the official page viewed — aggregators report approx. €992/month for Master's and €1,500/month for PhD plus allowances; confirm on the foundation's info sheets before publishing)

Eligibility criteria

Qualification Required
Graduationfor Masters Masters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for Masters and PhD programs.
Who can applyinternational students who completed their first degree abroad and apply prior to starting a Master's programme in Germany; international PhD candidates who completed their graduate degree abroad. Priority is given to applicants from DAC countries who have not yet taken up residence in Germany at the time of application.
ExperienceNo experience required
Language Certificateunverified from the official page viewed — aggregators report B2-level German (or DSH) as required for international applicants; confirm on the foundation's info sheets before publishing
Other CertificatesDegree certificates & transcripts
Age Limitnone published on the official page viewed (aggregators report no numerical age limit — unverified)

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Check your eligibility

Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.

1

Country checker

international students who completed their first degree abroad and apply prior to starting a Master's programme in Germany; international PhD candidates who…

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

unverified from the official page viewed — aggregators report B2-level German (or DSH) as required for international applicants; confirm on the foundation's info sheets before publishing

02

Qualification

international students who completed their first degree abroad and apply prior to starting a Master's programme in Germany; international PhD candidates who completed their graduate degree abroad

03

Documents

unverified from official pages viewed — per the official info-sheet PDFs (graduate / PhD)

Document checklist

01unverified from official pages viewed — per the official info-sheet PDFs (graduate / PhD). Aggregators list: application form, certified degree certificate, enrolment/admission proof, German language
Application fee
No fee — completely free
No separate scholarship application fee is published; confirm on the official page.
Visa, kept concise: Apply for the German student visa at the embassy/consulate once admitted (national visa for study purposes), then convert to a residence permit after arrival.

Application Procedure

4 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.

01

From 15 January 2027

open the foundation's online application portal (linked from the official scholarships page).

→
02

Read the official info sheets first —

the page links separate PDFs for graduate students and for PhD candidates (contents unverified; they carry the binding requirements).

→
03

Complete the online application and upload all

required documents (exact document list unverified from official pages viewed). 4: Submit before the portal closes on 1 March 2027.

↓
04

Selection process details (interviews

timelines) are described in the page's FAQ section — unverified specifics; read before applying.

Application milestones

1 Mar 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official any state or state-recognised German… platform.
Apply Now

Frequently asked questions

When is the application deadline?
1 Mar 2027 — (portal closes; exact closing time and timezone unverified — assume CET and submit at least 48h early)
Who can apply?
international students who completed their first degree abroad and apply prior to starting a Master's programme in Germany; international PhD candidates who completed their graduate degree abroad. Priority is given to applicants from DAC countries who have not yet taken up residence in Germany at the time of application.
What does the scholarship cover?
Monthly stipend plus allowances for the standard period of study (stipend figures unverified from the official page viewed — aggregators report approx. €992/month for Master's and €1,500/month for PhD plus allowances; confirm on the foundation's info sheets before publishing)
Where do I apply?
Through the official application portal linked in the Official links section on this page.

Need document or attestation help?

Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.

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Key contacts

any state or state-recognised German…

Published on official pages

studienwerk@boell.de

any state or state-recognised German…

Published on official pages

info@boell.de

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