Merit scholarships for international students enrolled at Universität Hamburg

Follow the link for your chosen application period and log in using your STiNE ID—detailed instructions on completing the online application are available here (PDF):

Application form (deadline: 15 April)

Application form (deadline: 15 October)

You will then be invited to register and to complete your application.

You must upload the following documents to the online application portal:

• CV
• letter of motivation: please use this form (PDF)
• proof of social and/or intercultural activities (if aplicable)
• record of achievements: STiNE printout or list of course certificates. Master’s students and doctoral researchers submit their final certificate.
• evaluations from 2 professors or junior professors at Universität Hamburg. In justified cases, other teaching staff at Universität Hamburg can also prepare evaluations.

Template: evaluation form (PDF)

Only applications completed in full and submitted by the application deadline can be considered. Therefore, begin compiling your application documents early on and have these ready to upload to the application portal.

Please present your residence permit to the program coordinator in person during office hours by the application deadline:

• Mon 10 am–12 noon, Mittelweg 177, Room S 1012
• (only during lecture period) Wed 2–3 pm, Campus Center, Alsterterrasse 1
• Alternatively, email us to arrange an appointment.

Merit scholarships are awarded by a committee comprising members of faculties and ASTA (student council).

We will email you notification roughly 6–8 weeks after the application deadline. For an update on the current status of your application, check the online portal.

• good to excellent academic performance
• other verifiable knowledge and capabilities (e.g., presentations, publications, prizes; additional specialised skills); previous funding
• social and/or intercultural activities (e.g., confirmation of volunteer work)
• applicant’s need/social situation

Merit scholarships are disbursed on the first day of each month of funding. Funding commences on 1 October for the application round ending on 15 April and on 1 April of the following year for the application round ending on 15 October.

Scholarships cannot be paid into a foreign bank account. Academic leave is not permitted during the period of funding either.

Can I apply if I have both German and foreign citizenship?

No. You cannot, as you are eligible for BAföG in this case.

Is there an age limit?

No. As of the Winter Semester 2015/16, there are no age restrictions!

How can I obtain an evaluation?

Ask 2 professors from your department. Ideally, they should know you well—you attended one of their seminars or wrote a term paper for them, for example. Contact your evaluators at least 4–6 weeks before you apply for funding to ensure the evaluations are prepared in time. Give them the evaluation template to use.

Will my application be accepted if I only submit 1 evaluation?

No. Your application is only complete when it includes 2 evaluations. Notify us if you have difficulties finding a second professor. We can help you to identify suitable evaluators.

As a scholarship holder, am I allowed to spend a semester abroad or time outside of Hamburg during the lecture period?

If you are planning a longer absence during the lecture period, please contact us.

Can I continue to work part-time if I am awarded a scholarship?

Student jobs and additional gainful work are allowed. Working part-time is a complex issue though and many different aspects must be taken into account—we recommend you contact Studierendenwerk Hamburg’s Counselling Centre for Social and International Affairs—BeSI for advice.

Are merit scholarship holders able to apply for further funding?

No, additional funding from other sources is not permitted.

Can the funding be extended?

You can apply for another 1-year scholarship. You will need to re-submit all updated documents online by the application deadline. The maximum funding period in justified exceptional cases is 3 years.