Germany’s fully-funded scholarships, offered through the SBW Berlin Scholarship 2024 initiative, are a remarkable opportunity for international students pursuing higher education in Berlin or Potsdam.
The comprehensive scholarship package not only covers tuition fees but also includes a housing allowance and support for travel expenses. This provides a holistic approach to easing the financial burden on students. The SBW Berlin scholarship website highlights the expectation that recipients will contribute to their home countries after graduation, leveraging the skills acquired during their studies to contribute to impactful projects.
Prospective applicants, aged between 18 and 30, are required to have prior work experience in non-profit organisations or social institutions in their home countries. The submission of a letter of recommendation from relevant organisations adds an extra layer of credibility to their applications.
Eligibility criteria stress that candidates should not have resided in Germany for more than 18 months before applying. Moreover, they must hold a university-level qualification and express a commitment to engaging in humanitarian activities in their home country for 18 months post-graduation. Furthermore, financial need is also considered, with applicants expected to have a relatively low net income. However, candidates must achieve an average grade equivalent to the German grade point, with a minimum of 2.0, without compromising academic excellence.
Importantly, the absence of immediate family members residing in Germany is another criterion, ensuring that the scholarship benefits those without pre-existing familial ties in the country.
The application process spans two periods, providing flexibility for potential candidates, with deadlines falling between May 15 and June 30 and November 15 and December 31. Notably, Germany continues to be a highly sought-after study abroad destination, as evidenced by the increasing number of approximately 370,000 applications received from various countries.
