The Reichstag building in Berlin with the German flag flying above the glass dome at dusk.

Germany Applications open Closes 15 July 2027

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship for International Students

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is the political foundation affiliated with Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) — one of the country's oldest and largest scholarship foundations. Its International Scholarship Programme supports outstanding Master's and PhD students from abroad pursuing their degrees in Germany. Awards include a €934/month stipend, €100/month study allowance, possible family supplements, and tuition coverage where applicable. Selection emphasises academic excellence alongside engagement in civil society, leadership potential, and an interest in democratic values, free-market economics, the social market economy, or Christian-democratic political thought. Sri Lankan applicants with backgrounds in public policy, law, business, governance, or development studies — and a genuine interest in democratic transition and good governance — are competitive.

2027/28 cycle: applications via the KAS scholarship portal — typical deadline 15 July for the following academic year. Dates follow the same annual pattern — confirm the current round before applying.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)

External Organization-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

savings

Monthly Stipend

€934/month + €100 Study Allowance

school

Tuition

Covered Where Applicable

groups

International Scholars

Around 200 Globally per Year

info How this award actually works

warning

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.

account_balance

Who awards it

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

how_to_reg

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.

payments

What it covers

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

handshake

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

school

Admitted to a German Master's or PhD

You must be enrolled in (or have firm admission to) a Master's or PhD programme at a state-recognised German university. Final-year Bachelor's students applying for a Master's start can also apply.

public

International Citizen, Demonstrated German Interest

Open to applicants from outside Germany, including Sri Lanka. KAS expects applicants to demonstrate a clear academic and personal interest in Germany — typically evidenced by prior German language study, research focus on German/EU topics, or planned return-and-impact in your home country.

work

Civic + Political Engagement

Track record of volunteering, leadership, or civic participation is required. Religious affiliation is not a requirement, but applicants should be able to articulate respect for and interest in the Christian-democratic value framework KAS represents.

translate

German Language Proficiency

German at B2 level or above is generally required at start of scholarship. Even English-taught programmes require this — KAS's cohort events, seminars, and networking are largely conducted in German.

account_tree Application Process

Online application + document set

Apply via the KAS scholarship portal (kas.de). Required: detailed CV, motivation letter (your career goals + connection to German/CDU values), study plan, academic transcripts, two references, German language certificate, and proof of admission or application status.

Pre-selection review

KAS staff review applications and shortlist candidates based on academic merit, engagement profile, and demonstrated affinity with the foundation's mission.

Selection seminar

Shortlisted candidates attend a 2-3 day selection seminar in Germany (KAS may sponsor travel) — group discussions, individual interviews, written tasks, and a presentation. International applicants may participate via video.

Award + active scholar role

Awardees join the KAS scholar network. Active participation in seminars, ideational programmes, and the alumni network is expected throughout the scholarship period.

Why KAS?

KAS scholars get more than money — they get integration into a political-foundation network with offices in 80+ countries (including one in Colombo). The Sri Lanka KAS office runs democracy-and-governance programmes and actively engages with alumni. Strong fit for future policy professionals, lawyers, public-sector leaders, and journalists.

1956

Foundation Established

80+

Country Offices Worldwide

Colombo

Active KAS Country Office

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.

calculate