Scholarships of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom

Applications can only be made via our online application portal from 1- 30 April and from 1 - 31 October.

The application deadlines are 30 April and 31 October at 11:59 pm respectively.

During the application process we correspond exclusively by email. Please make sure that you regularly check your email inbox and that you have provided a working email contact. You will receive information regarding an invitation to the oral part of the selection process by 8 February or 8 August of the current year at the latest.

In cooperation with the selection committee members, the staff of the scholarship department make a pre-selection based on the submitted documents. What matters is the overall picture of your liberal and social commitment, your personality, and your academic performance. A personal interview with the members of the independent selection committee concludes the selection process and decides on the awarding of the scholarship.

No. Unfortunately, this is not possible. There are only limited resources available each year to fund scholarships for talented people. For this reason, applicants who would be personally and academically suitable must sometimes be rejected for capacity reasons.

No, so-called double funding for the same purpose by another public institution is not possible.

No, you do not have to be a member of the FDP.

Of course, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom observes all German and European data protection regulations. The data will not be disclosed to unauthorised third parties. The data will only be used for the purpose of selecting and supporting scholarship holders. Any other uses require an additional agreement.

No. Unfortunately, purely ideational support is not possible.

In principle, the letters of references should be written in German. If your appraisers are not proficient in German, the reviews may be submitted in English.

If you have references or evidence of voluntary work from abroad, they may also be written in English and uploaded to the corresponding section.

At the latest three weeks after the selection conference, we will inform you by email if you have been selected or not.

You will find the additional ancillary provisions of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for the promotion of talented students and talented young scientists here (link in German).

No.

Everyone who is already in Germany has to appear in person. Non-European applicants who are still abroad may be invited to a video-call.

Funding is provided for first degree programmes (bachelor's and master's degrees combined are first degree programmes) at German, EU-European and Swiss state or state-recognized universities. This includes universities as well as universities of applied sciences, art colleges, and educational or theological colleges. Furthermore we support doctorates.

The following are not funded: second degrees, LL.M, MBA, part-time degree, bachelor's degree for non-European applicants, doctorates in dentistry and human medicine, postdoc programmes, projects, and separate stays abroad.

Yes, provided that it is a full-time course that is recognized by the state. Through the acquired bachelor's degree at the vocational academy, the authorization to continue a master’s degree at a university of applied sciences must be guaranteed. Please attach the appropriate supporting documents to your application package. Please note that, as in any other case, any income earned is offset against the scholarship.

No.

German and EU-students can apply as a high school graduate, but also as a first-year university student, or a student in a higher semester. It should only be noted that the minimum funding period is two semesters. This means that you can apply for the last time in the penultimate semester before completing your studies.

Non-EU-applicants can apply for support of their MA or PhD programme.

Minimum funding period is two semesters or three trimesters. Please note that you must apply no later than the third-to-last semester before completing your studies. If you are already planning a master’s degree, you can apply in the last or penultimate bachelor’s semester.

When you register in the application portal, you will receive a link. Please forward this to your appraiser. Your appraiser chooses the type of reference (student/doctoral candidate) and they can then enter the information in the form which will then be automatically attached to your application. For each reference we received, you will receive a separate confirmation email.

You can find a sample/preview of the appraisal form here.

We only accept appraisals that have been submitted via the individual appraisal link. We do not accept appraisals via e-mail/mail.

The subject semesters count for the application. The university semesters can differ if, for example, you took one or more semesters of leave.

No.

No.

No, there are no alternative dates for selection interviews. Participation in the selection interview is mandatory.

No, unfortunately these costs cannot be reimbursed.

When you register in the application portal, you will receive a link. Please forward this to your appraiser. They can enter the information in the form which then will be attached to your application. Once we have received both references for you, you will receive a confirmation email from us. You can generate the link no earlier than 2 months before the next application phase begins.

No, unfortunately we cannot do that for you.

No, neither.

After submitting the online application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. Once we have received your letter of references via the link, you will receive an automatic email. We will then review the application documents. If we have any further questions, we will contact you.

Please note that applications must be submitted online exclusively. Required uploads are made as PDF documents (max. capacity per document 5 MB). If a document comprises more than one page, please bundle it into one PDF document and only then upload it.

No, the certificates (e.g. high school diploma or university certificate) do not have to be certified when submitting the application. If we have any questions about individual documents, we will contact you.

You are applying to the liberal foundation with your documents. With regard to the application, you should think about whether the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is a good fit for you in advance.

Yes, you can have letter of references from the bachelor's degree submitted.

No, as a rule these are not accepted as letters of references when applying for a student scholarship. You can upload these letters of recommendation under the upload option "References".

Yes, we look forward to your application.

This includes activities in student self-government, in university committees, in a liberal organization or in societal and social associations and institutions, as well as homework assistance, caring for and helping relatives, assuming responsibility in various areas of societal life.

As a German or EU passport holder you can apply as a high school graduate before you start your studies, even if you do not have a high school diploma at the time of application.

German and EU: Yes, you can apply. If your high school diploma is not yet available when you apply, please upload the certificate prior to your high school diploma with the online application. Please bring a copy of your high school diploma certificate to the selection conference. Please note that we cannot award high-school-student scholarships. The earliest possible time for an application is your last half-year at school.

Two letter of references are required. The letter of references can be prepared by your high school teachers or subject teachers, or by school tutors or vocational schoolteachers. When you register for the application, a link is generated that you should send to your appraisers.

You can apply if you are an EU citizen or are eligible for funding according to Section 8 BAföG (link in German). Otherwise, unfortunately not.

Yes. The prerequisite is that you are able to actively participate in scholarship life from your place of study.

Please do not submit any documents without being asked.

Yes, you can already apply without admission. In this case, please enter the university of your choice and upload the application for admission with the online application. You should then present the matriculation certificate at the latest during the selection interview.

You can apply in the last half-year before the Abitur/Fachhochschulreife at the earliest. We do not award high-school-student scholarships.

No. Bachelor and master studies count as one course.

No, if you want to complete your master’s degree afterwards, you can still apply in the last semester of your bachelor’s.

Please submit two university professor letter of references (not high school teachers). When you register for the application, you generate a link that you should send to your appraisers. They will then send the letter of references directly to us and you will receive a confirmation email after they have arrived.

Yes, the minimum funding period for doctoral students is 12 months.

Yes, the maximum funding period is three years.

No. While writing your doctorate in dentistry or human medicine, you can receive funding as part of the study scholarship.

Admission is a formal confirmation from your university (dean's office, examination office) about the unconditional acceptance for a doctorate. You can also provide formal confirmation that you are enrolled in a doctoral programme. Unconditional means that you no longer have to fulfil any conditions, for example in the form of exams to be taken or courses to be attended, and that you can fully devote yourself to your doctorate.

Yes.

Two letter of references must be submitted. The first letter of reference must be written by your doctoral supervisor. The second letter of reference must come from a university lecturer in the subject of the doctorate or a related subject.

The letter of reference link, which you should pass on to your appraisers, is generated when you register for the online application process.

One of the letter of references must be written by your doctoral supervisor. The second letter of reference must come from a university lecturer in the subject of the doctorate or a related subject.

Previous funding from public funds and for the same purpose will be taken into account.

Funding is excluded if paid work in research and teaching at the university or a non-university research institution that serves scientific work exceeding more than a quarter of the regular weekly working time or if gainful employment of more than one eighth of the regular weekly working time is carried out.

You apply for basic funding like German students, or for doctoral funding like German doctoral students.

Yes, the application documents should be submitted in German. The selection interview will also take place in German; even if you are applying for the funding of an English-language course or an English-language doctoral programme. Knowledge of German on the minimum level of B2 is essential for participating in the ideational support.

No, you do not have to show a language test to apply.

If your appraisers are not proficient in German, the references may be submitted in English. When you register for the application, you generate a link that you should send to your appraisers so that they can send the letter of references to us directly. You will receive a confirmation email after the letter of references have arrived.

Foreign applicants can apply for funding if they complete a master's or doctorate full-time in Germany. If you have already successfully completed the preliminary examination in medical studies (Physikum) or the main study period in the subjects with a state examination, you can also apply.

No, unfortunately not.

You can apply if you have not been in Germany for more than 15 months prior to the start of the scholarship. Exceptions are made for research and study purposes. Please demonstrate this to us through the corresponding residence entries in your passport in the application. Please always upload the page of your passport or your ID with your residence permit.

Yes, the application documents must be submitted in German. The selection interview will also take place in German; even if you are applying for the funding of an English-language course or an English-language doctoral programme. Knowledge of German on the minimum level of B2 is essential for participating in the ideational support.

No, you do not have to show a language test to apply.

Binational Master’s courses must be taught more than 50 % of the time in Germany to be eligible.

Please submit two university professor letter of references. When you register for the application online, a link is generated that you should send to your appraisers so that they can send the letter of references to us directly. Once they have done this, you will receive a confirmation email from us.

Two letter of references must be submitted. The first letter of reference must be written by your doctoral supervisor. The second letter of reference must come from a university lecturer in the subject of the doctorate or a related subject.

When you register for the application online, a link is generated that you should send to your appraisers so that they can send the letter of references to us directly. Once they have done this, you will receive a confirmation email from us.

If your appraisers are not proficient in German, the reviews may be submitted in English.

As a recognized refugee, you are considered a so-called educational resident and are entitled to BAföG. You will find the necessary documents here.

No, you do not have to pay back your scholarship.

The financial benefits are calculated based on BaföG. Find out more information here.

Based on BaföG, the maximum basic funding is 744 euros.

Yes, all our fellows will receive a lump sum for study costs (300 euros per month).

The scholarship is up to 1.350 euros per month plus a 100-euro lump sum for research costs.

Along with the scholarship we support stays abroad for a maximum of 12 months if they are related to the studies or doctorate. Grants for travel expenses, health insurance, study or research fees, and living expenses can be provided to support study or academic work abroad. Each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of study-abroad funding depends on the available financial resources.

The scholarship for student funding is a maximum of 861 euros.

The scholarship for the doctorate is a maximum of 1.200 euros.

In the case of foreign doctoral students or students, gross income of over 450 euros is offset against the scholarship.

Yes, you will receive monthly contributions to health insurance and long-term care insurance.