The glass-walled European Parliament Paul Henri-Spaak building facade in Brussels.

Germany Applications open Closes 1 March 2027

Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is the political foundation affiliated with Germany's Green Party — and one of the country's largest scholarship providers for international students. Awards pay €934/month plus a €100 study allowance, with additional family and health insurance contributions where applicable. Selection is values-driven as well as academic: alongside strong grades, the foundation expects demonstrated engagement in democracy, human rights, gender equality, climate justice, or ecological sustainability. Sri Lankan applicants with backgrounds in NGO work, climate action, journalism, or social-justice volunteering — particularly those with research interests in democratisation, post-conflict reconciliation, or environmental policy — are well-aligned with the foundation's mission.

2026/27 cycle: applications open in autumn 2026; deadline typically 1 March for winter semester start or 1 September for summer semester

Heinrich Böll Foundation

External Organization-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Monthly Stipend

€934/month (Master's level)

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Study Allowance

€100/month additional

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Cohort

~1,200 Scholars Globally

info How this award actually works

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This is a separate, highly competitive application

Awards from external organisations like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.

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Who awards it

Heinrich Böll Foundation — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.

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What it covers

€934/month + €100 Study Allowance + Family/Health Allowances Where Applicable. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.

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Where we come in

We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Admitted or About to Apply to a German Master's / PhD

You must hold (or actively be applying for) admission to a state-recognised German university — for a Master's, PhD, or in some cases a final-year Bachelor's. The full duration of standard study time can be funded.

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International Applicants Welcome

Open to international students from any country, including Sri Lanka. The foundation explicitly prioritises applicants from the Global South and from communities underrepresented in higher education.

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Demonstrated Social/Political Engagement

Volunteer or professional work in human rights, gender equality, democracy promotion, ecological sustainability, anti-racism, or migration justice is essential. Document specifics: organisations, your role, duration, and impact.

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German B2 Recommended

While English-taught programmes are eligible, the foundation strongly recommends German at B2 level or higher by start of scholarship — most cohort events are conducted in German. Free German classes are offered to scholars to bridge the gap.

account_tree Application Process

Self-assess fit

Read the foundation's principles carefully — the Green/progressive political alignment is non-negotiable in selection. If you cannot honestly describe your commitment to these values with concrete examples, this is not the right scholarship.

Online application

Submit via the foundation's online portal. Required documents: CV, motivation letter (heavy emphasis on your social/political engagement), academic transcripts, two references (at least one academic, one from a civic-engagement context), and a research/study proposal.

Document review + selection seminar

Shortlisted candidates are invited to a 2-3 day selection seminar (in person in Germany or online for international applicants) — interviews, group discussions, and engagement with foundation themes.

Award + integration into scholar network

Awardees receive monthly funding via direct deposit. Scholars are required to attend foundation events (online and in person), engage with study groups, and submit periodic progress reports. The alumni network is active in NGO, journalism, and policy sectors.

Why Heinrich Böll Foundation?

Beyond the funding, the foundation offers ideational support — political education seminars, networking with Green Party affiliates, and integration into Germany's progressive policy ecosystem. Strong fit for students aiming at careers in NGOs, journalism, climate advocacy, or international development.

1,200+

Current Scholars Globally

1997

Foundation Established

Green/Progressive

Values-Based Selection

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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