The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Germany's Christian-democratic political foundation, funds international students for postgraduate study and PhDs at German universities with a monthly grant plus insurance and family allowances. Applications for the international track close on 15 July at 12:00 noon each year — the next deadline is 15 July 2027. Beyond money, the programme includes seminars, regional university groups, and an alumni network built around democratic values and civic engagement.
Why it is notable: KAS explicitly wants politically engaged personalities, not just top grades — good German (B2), a solid value compass, and voluntary/political involvement are formal requirements, and foreign applicants are interviewed by a committee including the foundation's international-department staff.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Monthly grant of EUR 992 for students in Bachelor's and Master's programmes.
Monthly grant of EUR 1,400 for PhD students.
Allowances and contributions toward health and long-term care insurance (per the official DAAD programme entry).
Child and family allowances, if applicable.
Duration: generally 2 years (Bachelor's/Master's) and 3 years (doctoral candidates).
Ideational support: seminars, regional university groups, and networking events (the programme's civic-education core).
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor MastersMasters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for postgraduate (Master's) study and doctoral research at German universities.
Who can apply
International students from all countries (non-EU focus in practice; the DAAD database entry is the "Scholarship Programme for International Students"). Applicants apply via the KAS foreign-student procedure (Ausländerförderung) — either through the domestic selection procedure if already living/studying in Germany, or via KAS country offices in focus countries/regions.
Experience
No professional experience required — but active voluntary/political engagement is a formal requirement.
Language Certificate
Good German language skills (B2 level) required — per the official DAAD programme entry. The foundation's seminars and regional group events run in German.
Other Certificates
University degree certificates and transcripts showing excellent academic merit.
Age Limit
UNVERIFIED on the official pages accessed this run — third-party sources report an age-30 guideline for the foreign-student track; confirm on kas.de before publishing. (Template requires an explicit line: no official age limit was found on the accessed official pages.)
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All nationalities can apply via the international-student procedure; KAS also runs selection procedures through its country offices in annually determined…
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
Good German language skills (B2 level) — a formal requirement; foundation seminars and group events are held in German.
02
Qualification
Above-average academic performance with a university degree; Master's track requires a Bachelor's, PhD track a Master's/MPhil.
03
Values and engagement
A solid set of values, general and political involvement, voluntary work, and a proactive, open-minded character with clear academic and life goals.
04
Documents
Online questionnaire, detailed CV, certificates/transcripts, B2 German proof, academic and character references.
05
Deadline discipline
Applications close 15 July at 12:00 noon sharp each year — late submissions are not considered.
06
Study location
The study or doctoral project must be carried out at a higher-education institution in Germany.
Document checklist
01Completed KAS application questionnaire (online portal).
02Detailed curriculum vitae.
03Degree certificates and academic transcripts (excellent academic merit).
04Proof of German language skills (B2 level).
05References/referee reports (academic and personal-character references per KAS requirements).
06Evidence of voluntary/political and social engagement.
Application fee
No fee — completely free (no application fee is stated on the official pages).
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: German national visa for study purposes (Visum zu Studienzwecken), then a residence permit for study after arrival.
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Check the KAS foreign-student pages (kas.de
Ausländerförderung) for the current call and whether you apply via the domestic online procedure (if already in Germany) or via the KAS office in your country.
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02
Prepare the application in the KAS online portal (campus.kas.de)
application questionnaire, detailed CV, degree certificates/transcripts, German language proof (B2), and references.
→
03
Submit by the closing date
15 July, 12:00 noon (per the official DAAD programme entry — "Closing date for applications is 15 July (12 o'clock noon) of each year").
↓
06
Completed KAS application questionnaire (online portal).
←
05
Await the decision
funding begins with the award.
←
04
If shortlisted, attend the selection procedure (interview
before a committee).
↓
07
Detailed curriculum vitae.
→
08
Degree certificates and academic transcripts (excellent academic
merit).
→
09
Proof of German language skills (B2 level).
↓
10
References/referee reports (academic and personal-character references per
KAS requirements).
Application milestones
15 Jul 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official German universities platform.
"Closing date for applications is 15 July (12 o'clock noon) of each year" (official DAAD programme entry).
How much is the monthly grant?
EUR 992/month for students in Bachelor's and Master's programmes; EUR 1,400/month for PhD students — plus health/long-term care insurance contributions and child/family allowances where applicable.
How long does the funding last?
Generally 2 years for Bachelor's/Master's students and 3 years for doctoral candidates.
Do I need German?
Yes — good German language skills (B2 level) are a formal requirement.
What does KAS look for beyond grades?
A solid set of values, general and political involvement, voluntary engagement, and a proactive, open-minded character with clear goals.
I'm not in Germany yet — can I apply?
Yes — the international track covers foreign applicants; KAS also runs selection procedures via its country offices in annually determined focus countries/regions. If you already live or study in Germany, you use the domestic online procedure.
Are there extra allowances?
Yes — the foundation grants allowances and contributions for health and long-term care insurance as well as child and family allowances, if applicable.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Germany · German universities