In the service of democracy, peace and development

Our Work

 

Global challenges today can only be tackled through global cooperation. One player in this process is the Institute for International Cooperation, with projects in more than 50 countries worldwide. The aim of this international engagement, which is based on Christian social ideals, is to promote humane living conditions and to contribute to sustainable development by strengthening peace, democracy and social market economies. Together with local partners, projects are implemented that focus on strengthening civil society and its organisations, public participation and promoting the rule of law, advising decision makers in politics, business and administration, promoting women, overcoming social and ethnic divisions and strengthening environmental awareness.

 

Scolarship Programmes

The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) awards highly sought-after scholarships to outstanding Master's and doctoral students to study at universities and colleges in Germany, thereby recognizing their excellent academic achievements.  Eligible candidates are carefully pre-selected by our international offices.  The scholarships are awarded for a period of 12 to 36 months, depending on the needs of the HSF project office and the academic requirements. In exceptional cases, funding may also be available for bachelor's degree programmes.

Participants in these programmes receive generous financial support, personal mentoring, access to a varied seminar programme, activities with fellow scholarship holders at their place of study, membership of an international network and various training courses to enhance their skills and abilities.

 

Financial Support

Funding within the scholarship programme consists of:

- up to €992 per month for Master students (fixed amount for 12 to 24 months);

- up to €1,300 per month for doctoral students (fixed amount for 12 to 36 months);

- up to €1,000 per month for what are referred to as follow-up scholarships, i.e. alumni can complete a stay in Germany for research purposes (fixed amount for 3 to 6 months);

- up to €102 per month to cover health insurance costs in Germany;

- up to €500 one-off payment to reimburse travel expenses.
 

How can you apply?

Applicants must:

- hold an above-average university degree (with good or very good grades);

- be constantly and very actively involved in voluntary work (NGOs);

- show great interest in current political and civil society developments;

- be committed to democracy, the rule of law and human rights;

- Have a solid knowledge of German (B2 level at the time of application), with a requirement to improve to C1 after the first year of residence in Germany;

- be admitted to a German university or higher education institution (for Master’s students); 

- have obtained approval from a supervising professor for PhD candidacy (for PhD students).

 

The following documents are required for the application (PDF format):

Master’s Students:

• Short curriculum vitae (CV) in tabular form;
• Detailed curriculum vitae:  A detailed CV should contain the same facts as the tabular CV.  However, it gives you the opportunity to go into the reasons for decisions or events that have shaped your life.  Length: two to four pages, 2.5 margin, 1.5 line spacing;
• One-page exposé on study and on career goals;
• University entrance qualification, e.g. high school graduation grades, national examination, etc.
• Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript of records;
• 2 letters of recommendation: a) confirming voluntary work in NGOs and b) confirming outstanding academic achievements;
• Written proof of enrolment/letter of acceptance to the German university (to be submitted at the latest at the time of the interview);
• Proof of German language skills:  minimum B2 level for all degree programmes, including English-language degree programs;
• Copy of current passport bio-page;
• Copy of previous or current residence permits in Germany or the EU.
   

PhD Students:

• Short curriculum vitae in tabular form;
• Detailed curriculum vitae - A detailed CV should contain the same facts as a tabular CV. However, it gives you the opportunity to go into the reasons for decisions or events that have shaped your life. Length: two to four pages, 2.5 cm margin, 1.5 line spacing;
• Bachelor's and Master’s degree certificates and transcripts of record;
• Detailed exposé of the doctoral project (PDF file):
  • Detailed justification for the choice of dissertation topic;
  • Detailed description of the content and methodology of the intended dissertation project;
  • Work schedule and timetable until completion of the dissertation;
  • Current status of the dissertation with previous work results;
  • Either German or English exposés are accepted;
  • Length: max. 10 pages in total (2.5 cm margin, 1.5 line spacing);
  • Bibliography in the appendix (not included in the 10 pages);
• Other scientific publications (table with reference to place/year of publication);
• 2 letters of recommendation: a) confirming voluntary work in NGOs; and, b) confirming outstanding academic achievements;
• Written proof of enrolment or a letter of acceptance from a German university, or letter from the supervisor confirming academic supervision of the applicant (to be submitted no later than the time of the interview);
• Copy of current passport bio-page;
• Copy of previous or current residence permit/s in Germany or the EU;
• Other relevant certificates, e.g. proof of internship/s.
   

Good to know

Please submit all required documents by e-mail via the HSF office in your home country or the nearest HSF office; contact details can be found at https://www.hss.de/weltweit-aktiv.  If the HSF is not represented in your home country, please e-mail us at ref0401(at)hss.de. We will then direct you to the corresponding office. 

Applications are possible throughout the year (no deadline); the HSF office in your home country will decide on your admission to our online application platform as a first step. If you pass the pre-selection, you may upload your documents to our online portal in Germany.  You will receive access to this portal from the HSF office. 

If your submitted application meets the HSF’s requirements and you are strongly recommended by the HSF office, you will be contacted for a further interview, online.  In Germany, the selection rounds take place online every year in February and August.

If the interview is positive, you will have successfully secured your scholarship.

Following all above-mentioned requirements is a necessary condition for any application. Incomplete or incorrect applications cannot be considered. 

In case you are living in Germany or if you are a German citizen with German secondary education (Abitur), please apply directly for an HSF scholarship through the domestic application procedure.  For further information concerning domestic applications, please visit the main HSF page (in German).
 

International Parliamentary Scholarship

Furthermore, HSF actively supports the esteemed International Parliament Scholarships (IPS) of the German federal parliament Bundestag.  This prestigious program is especially designed for young individuals under the age of 30 who possess a keen interest in politics, hold a university degree, and are committed to actively promoting core democratic values and fostering a vibrant civil society in their respective home countries.  The program provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage in meaningful political engagements and contribute to the advancement of democratic ideals.
 

How to apply?

Applicants must:

• be citizens of one of the participating countries;
• hold a university degree;
• be under 30 years of age;
• have strong German language skills (minimum B2 level);

Kindly note that the IPS scholarship program is directly offered by the Bundestag and conducted in German; therefore, proficiency in the German language is mandatory.