Universität Hamburg offers a merit scholarship program to support exceptional international students and doctoral researchers from all disciplines and degree levels who have demonstrated social commitment and active involvement in an international context. This scholarship allows recipients to focus fully on their studies while further developing their skills.
Eligibility Criteria Merit scholarship program in Universität Hamburg:
To qualify for the scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled at Universität Hamburg for at least two semesters in your current program (students in two-year master’s programs and doctoral candidates can apply after completing one semester).
- Not hold German citizenship.
- Not be eligible for federal student loans under the German system.
Funding Amount and Duration:
- The maximum monthly scholarship is €930.
- In special cases, individual doctoral researchers may receive up to €1,200 per month (typically, 2–3 merit scholarships are awarded per round).
- Scholarships are awarded for two semesters (12 months total), with the possibility to reapply.
- In exceptional cases, the maximum funding period can be extended to three years.
Exclusions For The Merit scholarship program in Universität Hamburg:
International students who meet the criteria of Section 8 of the German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) are not eligible for this scholarship.
Online Application Instructions:
To submit your online application for the merit scholarship at Universität Hamburg, please follow the step-by-step guide provided here. Choose the appropriate application period, and log in with your STiNE ID using the following links:
- [Application form (deadline: 15 April)]
- [Application form (deadline: 15 October)]
Once logged in, you will be prompted to register and complete your application. Please make sure to use your student email address, not a private email address, when registering and throughout the online application process.
Required Documents:
You must upload the following documents to the online portal:
- CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Letter of motivation: Use the required [form (PDF)].
- Proof of social and/or intercultural activities (if applicable).
- Record of achievements:
- For Bachelor’s degree students and students in programs concluding with a state examination (Staatsexamen), submit either:
- A STiNE printout of your “Leistungskonto” (performance account), or
- A current transcript of records.
- For Master’s degree students and doctoral researchers, submit your most recent degree certificate with grades in either English or German.
- For Bachelor’s degree students and students in programs concluding with a state examination (Staatsexamen), submit either:
- Evaluations from two full-time teaching staff members with doctorates at Universität Hamburg.
- For further information on who can issue an evaluation, refer to the relevant section in the FAQ.
Make sure all documents are properly uploaded before submitting your application.
Disbursement of Merit Scholarships:
Merit scholarships are distributed on the first day of each month during the funding period. The funding begins on:
- 1 October for applications submitted by 15 April, and
- 1 April of the following year for applications submitted by 15 October.
Please note that scholarships cannot be transferred to foreign bank accounts, and academic leave is not allowed during the funding period.
