Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (HSS) Scholarship Programme 2027 – Germany

Location: Germany

Program: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs

Eligibility: Domestic and International Students

Duration: Same with course

Deadline: Round 1 (winter): January 15, 2027 | Round 2 (summer): July 15, 2027

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The Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (HSS) Scholarship Programme is one of Germany’s prestigious talent support programmes (Begabtenförderung), administered by the Institut für Begabtenförderung of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung in Munich. The Foundation funds four categories of scholars: vocational trainees (Auszubildende first offered from Autumn 2024), undergraduate and Master’s students (Studierende), doctoral candidates (Promovierende), and journalists-in-training through the Journalistic Programme. All scholarships are non-repayable grants. In addition to financial support, scholars receive comprehensive non-material support (ideelle Förderung) through individual mentoring by HSS staff and university liaison lecturers (Vertrauensdozentinnen/dozenten), seminars on social and political issues, practical workshops on key qualifications and intercultural competence, and access to a lifelong alumni network.

The Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (HSS), founded in 1967 and named after Hanns Seidel, the former Minister-President of Bavaria, is a political foundation affiliated with the Christian Social Union (CSU) of Bavaria and one of Germany’s six major political foundations. HSS promotes democracy, peace, development, and Christian social values through its educational and research activities in Germany and internationally. The Foundation operates two major educational centres (Kloster Banz and Munich Conference Centre), an international network across more than 60 countries, and its Institut für Begabtenförderung, which supports approximately 1,200 scholarship holders in Germany each year.

Benefits of the Programme

Depending on the scholarship awarded, it will provide the following to its recipients:

Scholarship support of up to €992/month
The maximum funding rate for undergraduate scholarships is €992 per month
The maximum funding rate for doctoral scholarships is €1,650 per month
Research cost allowance of €100
€300/month study-cost allowance
Monthly childcare allowance (up to €225 per child)
Health insurance coverage

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this programme, applicants must meet the following:

All Applicants:

Must be enrolled at or applying to a German university, university of applied sciences (HAW/FH), or vocational training institution
Must demonstrate academic excellence, social/civic engagement (Ehrenamtliches Engagement), and personal qualities consistent with the values of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung

International Students (Internationale Studierende und Promovierende):

Must demonstrate German language proficiency of at least B2 level or equivalent — applications without proof of German language proficiency will not be considered

Vocational Training Applicants (Auszubildende):

Must be enrolled in a vocational training programme at a German vocational school
Must submit a recommendation letter from a teacher and from the employer/training company

Study Scholarship Applicants (Studierende):

Must have university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) and, if available, Bachelor’s certificate and current transcript
Must provide one expert opinion (Fachgutachten) from a professor or lecturer confirming academic qualification
Must provide documented proof of voluntary/civic engagement (Ehrenamtsnachweis) signed and certified

Doctoral Scholarship Applicants (Promovierende):

Must provide two expert opinions from professors authorised to supervise doctoral candidates, including one from the doctoral supervisor
Must provide a detailed research exposé of approximately 10 pages

Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements.

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Selection Criteria

Applications submitted through the HSS portal are initially pre-selected by the Institut für Begabtenförderung based on the submitted documents, with reference to the HSS’s published eligibility criteria. Suitable candidates are invited to a Selection Day (Auswahltagung), where an independent selection committee evaluates them in person. Selection is based on academic excellence, demonstrated civic and voluntary engagement, personal maturity and social commitment, and alignment with the Christian social values of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung. Applicants are informed of the outcome of the pre-selection approximately four weeks after the application deadline. Technical problems with the portal should be reported to ref0405@hss.de.