The SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students supports talented young people from abroad who have already shown social commitment and who use the skills they have acquired during their studies during and after their studies in social projects at a non-profit/social organization in their home countries.
Application Deadline
- Open year‑round (no fixed deadline; applications accepted continuously)
Tell Me About The Scholarship
The SBW Berlin Scholarship is a distinctive programme for international students pursuing Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees at state‑recognized universities in Berlin or Potsdam. Unlike most scholarships, it accepts applications throughout the year. The scholarship is designed for socially committed students who already work with a non‑profit organisation and intend to use their education to develop a concrete social project in their home country.
Which Fields are Eligible
Open to most disciplines at Berlin or Potsdam universities, provided the applicant’s study plan aligns with the scholarship’s social project requirement.
Type
- Undergraduate & Master’s Scholarship | Social Project Focus | Berlin/Potsdam, Germany
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
- Be 18–30 years old.
- Have professional or volunteer experience in the non‑profit/social sector.
- Not have resided in Germany for more than 18 months before applying.
- Hold a university entrance qualification.
- Demonstrate financial need (low household income).
- Have grades equivalent to German GPA 2.0 or better (≈ B+ or 80%).
- Apply before starting studies or be enrolled in the first, second, or third semester.
- Commit to returning to their home country for at least 18 months after graduation to continue their social project.
How Are Scholars Selected
- Based on academic merit, social commitment, and the strength of the proposed project.
- Applications are filtered in two stages:
- Non‑profit organisation submits a recommendation.
- Selected applicants submit full application documents and may be invited to interview.
Which Countries are Eligible
- Global – foreign nationals from countries in need of development support.
Where Will the Scholarship Be Taken
- Berlin or Potsdam, Germany.
How Many Scholars
- 20 scholarship places in total (awards depend on vacancies).
What is the Benefit of the Scholarship
- Furnished room in shared student accommodation.
- €480 monthly allowance.
- Tuition support (subject to rules).
- Travel support (sometimes provided).
- Funding for up to 48 months (regular programme duration).
How Long Will the Scholarship Last
- Up to 48 months, depending on programme length and academic progress.
Required Documents
- SBW Berlin application form.
- 2–5 page project description.
- Academic transcripts and certificates.
- University entrance qualification.
- Household income information.
- Recommendation from non‑profit/social organisation.
- Supporting academic/professional evidence.
How to Apply
- Obtain a recommendation from your non‑profit/social organisation.
- Submit the SBW Berlin application form and required documents.
- Provide project description and evidence of social commitment.
- Apply separately to a state‑recognized university in Berlin or Potsdam.
- Attend interview/video conference if shortlisted.
🌐 Visit the application webpage for details
