Merit scholarships for international students enrolled at Universität Hamburg

You are able to apply throughout the year for the next application deadline.
Please include the following with your application:

• tabular CV
• proof of social and/or political commitment in an international context
• copy of your residence permit
• letter of motivation motivation including your reasons for need
• PIASTA project proposal (several possible)
• course certificate: STiNE print-out or credit transcript
  If you are a master’s students in your first semester or a doctoral student, please submit your latest record of grades.
• two evaluations from your supervising professors. They must be full-time professors at Universität Hamburg who offer courses and conduct independent research in their field. Unfortunately, we cannot accept evaluations from acting, visiting, and retired professors, or Privatdozenten (senior lecturers with no permanent teaching contract). Please note that you are only able to submit your application when you have received confirmation from two professors willing to provide evaluations to support your application.

Please use this template (PDF) to list your completed coursework if it is not recorded in STINE.

Please use the following forms for your application.

• Please use this portal for your application
• EVALUATION for a merit scholarship (PDF)
  

You may submit your application and all required documents personally during our office hours or via email to: otilia.dias"AT"verw.uni-hamburg.de . We only accept applications submitted by the deadline.

Please feel free to contact us should you have any further questions.

Good luck with your application!

Please note that there is no legal entitlement to a merit scholarship.

Who decides who will receive a merit scholarship?

Merit scholarships are awarded by a committee comprising teachers, students, and members of the University administration.

According to which criteria is the selection made?

• outstanding achievements
• other verifiable knowledge and capabilities (presentations/publications/prizes); previous funding
• Social and/or political commitment in an international context
• Applicant need

When will I be notified?

You will be notified by post approx. 4 weeks after the application deadline.

Who is considered an “international student”?

International students are students without German citizenship. If you hold dual citizenship, i.e., German and a further foreign citizenship, you will not be considered an international student for the purposes of the merit scholarship and are therefore not eligible for merit scholarship funding.

Are doctoral students eligible for funding?

Yes! All international students enrolled at Universität Hamburg, who have studied at the University for at least two semesters, are able to apply for funding.

Is there an age limit?

The following was applicable up until summer semester 2015:
Yes! Merit scholarships are intended for outstanding international students from all degree programs (including doctorates) who are pursuing an academic degree at Universität Hamburg and are under the age of 29 (if completing a Magister, bachelor’s, or master’s degree) or 33 (if completing doctoral studies).
As of winter semester 2015/16 there are no age restrictions!

How can I obtain an evaluation?

Please ask a professor in your subject area who knows you well, e.g., because you attended their seminar, wrote a paper for them, or they supervised your bachelor’s thesis. Ask them whether they would be willing to write an evaluation for you, specifying that it is for a merit scholarship application. Professors are usually more than happy to help, though please be sure to contact them in good time—at least 4 to 6 weeks before you need to submit your application. Please use the evaluation form available online for the evaluation, and pass this on to your professor.

Will my application be accepted if I only have an evaluation from one professor?

No! Your application must include two evaluations. Please notify us should you have difficulties finding a second professor willing to evaluate your achievements. We will help you obtain a second evaluation.

What does getting actively involved in our internationalization projects entail? 

You are able to suggest PIASTA activities that you could organize for other students at Universität Hamburg in your application. Countless examples from previous semesters can be viewed on the PIASTA homepage. Your projects should aim to foster intercultural exchange between German and international students, or focus on cross-cultural topics likely to stimulate intercultural awareness and learning at the University, or in Hamburg and the surrounding area.

Are scholarship holders able to spend a semester abroad or time outside of Hamburg during the lecture period?

No! When you accept a merit scholarship, you agree to get actively involved in internationalization projects at Universität Hamburg. You must therefore be in Hamburg during the lecture period.

Can I continue to work part-time while holding a scholarship?

The stipend of € 650 does not suffice to cover the holder’s living expenses. Scholarship holders are therefore able to also work a student job.

Can merit scholarship holders apply for further funding or BAFöG (Federal Education and Training Assistance)?

No! Dual funding or BAFöG assistance is not permitted.

Will I need to inform the Department of International Affairs if my personal or financial circumstances change after I have applied for funding?

Yes! When you apply for a merit scholarship, you agree to inform us of any changes to your personal and financial circumstances.

When will my merit scholarship be paid out if it is approved?

For scholarships granted during application rounds with a 15 April deadline, payments will commence on 1 October. For scholarships granted during application rounds with a 15 October deadline, payments will commence on 1 April.