The SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students supports socially committed young people who plan to pursue higher education in Berlin or Potsdam. The scholarship provides accommodation, a monthly cost-of-living allowance, tuition-fee support and, in some cases, a travel contribution. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and SBW Berlin does not charge an application or processing fee.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students
Category: Scholarship
Host: SBW Berlin
Country: Germany
Study Location: Berlin or Potsdam
Academic Level: Bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes
Funding Duration: 30 days to a maximum of 48 months
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline; applications are accepted throughout the year
Application Fee: No application or processing fee
About the SBW Berlin Scholarship
The scholarship supports applicants based on their professional qualifications, personal suitability and financial need. It is available for bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes at universities or universities of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam.
In principle, applicants may pursue scientific, social or artistic disciplines. In special cases, SBW Berlin may also support vocational training in Berlin or Potsdam. The scholarship does not fund study in other German federal states or outside Germany.
Social commitment is central to the programme. Applicants must already have experience with a non-profit organisation or social institution in their home country. They must also propose a social project connected to that organisation.
During their studies, scholarship recipients develop their projects and apply knowledge gained through their academic programmes. After graduation, they are generally expected to continue the projects in their home countries.
You may like: Kent International Scholarships 2026/2027 at the University of Ken
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
SBW Berlin covers necessary living expenses for the approved funding period.
The scholarship includes:
✓ A furnished room in a shared student flat in Berlin
✓ A cost-of-living allowance currently worth €480 per month
✓ Tuition-fee support
✓ A possible contribution towards travel to Berlin before the programme
✓ A possible contribution towards return travel after successful completion
The maximum possible travel contribution is €500 for travel within Europe and €1,000 for travel from outside Europe. Travel support is not guaranteed and depends on the scholarship arrangements.
Where tuition fees exceed the national average, scholarship recipients may be expected to pay a deductible. Applicants receiving support under Germany’s Federal Education Assistance Act may receive an adjusted scholarship amount.
The scholarship cannot be used to provide financial support to family members or other third parties. Part-time employment is also generally not approved by SBW Berlin.
Funding Duration and Available Places
Funding lasts for at least 30 days and may continue for up to 48 months. However, the maximum period cannot exceed the regular duration of the supported study programme.
Funding is normally approved periodically, usually for the upcoming semester. Before extending support, SBW Berlin reviews:
• Continued compliance with the scholarship criteria
• Completion of most academic courses from the funded semester
• Academic performance
• Progress on the approved social project
• Submission of project reports where required
SBW Berlin has 20 scholarship places in total. In each semester, it can award only the number of scholarships corresponding to available vacancies.
Recommended: Apply for the MIDE Master in International and Development Economics at HTW Berlin
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship targets foreign nationals whose countries of origin are considered to have a particular need for development support. Holders of a German student visa or a residence permit issued for beginning or continuing studies may also apply.
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
• Be between 18 and 30 years old
• Have professional or volunteer experience in the non-profit or social sector
• Provide a recommendation from a social institution or non-profit organisation
• Demonstrate that they have not lived in Germany for more than 18 months before applying
• Hold a qualification that permits university admission
• Demonstrate relatively low net household income
• Have average grades equivalent to at least 2.0 on the German grading scale
• Have no first-degree family members residing permanently in Germany
• Plan to work in their country of origin for at least 18 months after graduation or undertake non-profit work until the repayment plan is fulfilled
Applicants must apply before starting university or while fully enrolled in the first, second or no later than the third semester at a state-recognised university in Germany or abroad.
Applicants pursuing a master’s degree may apply shortly before or after completing their bachelor’s degree. Applications that do not satisfy all stated requirements cannot be considered.
Applicants Receiving Other Scholarships
Students whose studies in Germany are already financed by another scholarship are not eligible.
An exception applies to support provided under the Federal Education Assistance Act. In these cases, SBW Berlin adjusts its scholarship according to the allowance received by the applicant.
Social Project and Participation Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate previous and planned cooperation with a non-profit organisation or social institution in their home country.
The organisation’s recommendation letter should explain:
• The applicant’s previous social involvement
• The applicant’s responsibilities within the organisation
• How the selected study programme relates to the organisation’s objectives
• How the proposed social project supports the organisation’s work
• The applicant’s expected responsibilities after graduation
Scholarship recipients are required to work proactively on their projects for two to eight hours each week during the funding period.
They must also:
✓ Participate in regular project meetings and SBW Berlin workshops
✓ Prepare project reports
✓ Deliver talks or presentations about their projects
✓ Maintain satisfactory academic performance
✓ Communicate transparently about project and professional goals
The project description submitted during the application process becomes part of the scholarship agreement after its final details are approved.
Required Application Documents
The application process begins with a recommendation letter from a non-profit organisation, social institution or SBW Berlin partner organisation.
The organisation must submit the recommendation letter on behalf of the applicant. SBW Berlin reviews the letter first and provides access to the application form only to applicants selected to continue.
A complete application must include at least:
• A recommendation letter from the relevant non-profit or social organisation
• The official application form provided by SBW Berlin
• A project description of two to five pages
• Proof of qualification for university admission
• Information about net household income
• A copy of the latest school or university certificate showing the grade average and grade overview
• A copy of the highest academic qualification showing the grade average and grade overview
Where available, applicants should also submit:
• Admission to a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam
• A recognised certificate for the language in which the programme will be taught
• Previously obtained university certificates and academic records
• Work, training, apprenticeship and internship certificates or references
SBW Berlin also recommends including one or two additional recommendation letters and evidence supporting the declared household income.
Document Language and Verification
Applications and supporting documents must be submitted in German or English. Documents issued in another language must include a German or English translation.
At the application stage, non-certified copies and simple translations are sufficient. Candidates who pass the selection process may later be asked to provide certified or legalised documents.
The verification stage may require:
• A passport copy with a current photograph
• A German student visa or relevant residence permit
• Evidence of household income
• A grade-conversion evaluation
• Updated academic certificates and records
• Study-related work, training and internship certificates
• Legalisation of the highest foreign academic qualification
• A recognised language certificate for the language of instruction
Master’s applicants must also provide the required academic records from their bachelor’s programme.
Selection Process
The scholarship selection process has three main phases.
First Phase
SBW Berlin reviews the recommendation letter submitted by the applicant’s non-profit organisation or social institution.
Candidates whose recommendations meet the programme’s expectations receive access to the application portal.
Second Phase
SBW Berlin reviews the complete application, including:
• The application form
• Academic grades
• Financial circumstances
• Social commitment
• Cooperation with the organisation in the applicant’s home country
• The proposed social project
Third Phase
Suitable candidates participate in an interview or video conference. The interview may include a practical task and a discussion of the proposed project’s objectives and first six-month timetable.
SBW Berlin makes the final selection after completing these stages.
Discover: Sir James McNeill Postgraduate Research Scholarship at Monash University in Australia
Return and Repayment Conditions
The scholarship normally supports a temporary stay in Germany for the duration of the recipient’s studies.
After completing the programme, recipients have two options.
Returning to the Home Country
Recipients may return to their home countries and continue developing their social projects for at least 18 months in cooperation with the local non-profit organisation or social institution.
Under this option, they do not have to repay the scholarship.
Remaining in Germany
Recipients who remain in Germany after completing their studies or funding period must repay the financial benefits provided by SBW Berlin.
The repayment arrangement:
• Must be notarised
• Covers the scholarship benefits already received
• Is divided into 12 monthly instalments
• Begins three months after the end of the study or funding period
• Does not include interest
Repayment requirements may also apply when funding is terminated because of academic failure, postponed examinations, failure to meet project targets or improper use of scholarship funds.
Application Deadline
SBW Berlin does not set a fixed application deadline. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
The organisation does not charge an application or processing fee. However, submitting a recommendation letter does not automatically provide access to the full application form. Only applicants who pass the initial review receive the application link.
Apply Here
Review the official scholarship details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
View the Official SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students Page
