TheSBW Berlin Scholarshipis one of the leading programs that supports talented young people from outside Germany who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to social engagement and aspire to use the knowledge and skills they gain during their studies in Germany to benefit their home communities through sustainable, non-profit social projects.
The program aims to enable these young individuals to pursue their undergraduate or postgraduate studies inBerlinorPotsdam, offering comprehensive financial and living support—on the condition that recipients dedicate their post-graduation efforts to serving their home country through a sustainable social project.
Scholarship Objectives
The SBW Berlin Scholarship seeks to support international students who have a proven record of social or volunteer work and who plan to apply their academic experience to create or develop social or charitable projects in their home countries.
The scholarship is awarded based on three main criteria:
- Academic and professional competence.
- Personal suitability.
- Financial need.
All academic, social, and artistic fields of study are eligible. In certain special cases, vocational training in Berlin or Potsdam may also be funded.
Target Group
The scholarship targetsforeign students from countries requiring particular developmental support, especially those inAfrica, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America.
Students who already receive financial aid from another scholarship in Germany are not eligible to apply, except those receiving support under theGerman BAföG law, in which case the SBW Berlin Scholarship amount will be adjusted accordingly.
Financial Benefits
The scholarship covers the entire duration of study (up to a maximum of 48 months) and includes:
- A furnished room in a shared student apartment in Berlin.
- A monthly living allowance of480 EUR.
- Full tuition fee coverage.
- A travel allowance for transportation to and from Berlin (up to500 EURwithin Europe and1,000 EURoutside Europe).
Recipients are generallynot allowed to take on part-time jobsduring the scholarship period.
Duration and Continuity
The scholarship is granted for a period ranging between30 days and 48 months, depending on the length of the degree program.
At the end of each semester, student performance is reviewed to determine continued eligibility, focusing on:
- Good academic performance.
- Actual progress in the social project.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be between18 and 30 years old.
- Have verifiedprofessional or volunteer experiencein a non-profit social organization (with a letter of recommendation from that organization).
- Not have resided in Germany for more than18 monthsbefore application.
- Hold an educational qualification that entitles them to university study.
- Have a minimum GPA equivalent to2.0 in the German grading system.
- Haveno first-degree relativespermanently residing in Germany.
- Demonstratelow net household incomein accordance with the standards of their home country.
- Applybefore starting their studiesorwithin the first three semestersof a university degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s).
- Commit toreturning to their home countryand working there for at least18 months after graduation, or engaging in charitable activities in Germany until the repayment plan (if applicable) is fulfilled.
Application Deadlines
Applications are acceptedyear-round, withno fixed deadlinesandno application or processing fees.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Arecommendation letterfrom a social institution or organization (sent directly via email to[email protected]).
- Theapplication form(link provided to shortlisted candidates).
- Adescription of the social project(2–5 pages).
- Proof of university entrance qualificationor high school diploma.
- Detailed proof of family net income.
- The most recentacademic transcriptshowing GPA and grades.
- A copy of thehighest academic qualificationobtained.
Preferred additional documents (if available):
- Letter of admission from a university in Berlin or Potsdam.
- International language proficiency certificate for the language of study.
- Certificates of previous training or employment.
- Additional recommendation letters from professors or employers.
All documents must be inGerman or English. Non-certified copies and simple translations are acceptable during the first application stage.
Selection Process
The selection process consists ofthree stages:
- Initial screeningof recommendation letters to determine eligibility for the application form.
- Detailed evaluationof the academic and financial status of shortlisted candidates.
- Interview(in-person or online) discussing the applicant’s social project and its implementation plan for the first six months.
A final decision is made afterward.
Verification After Acceptance
Accepted applicants will be required to submit official copies of:
- Passport and student visa.
- Proof of family income.
- Grade conversion reports to the German grading system.
- All previous academic certificates and updated records.
- An internationally recognized language certificate.
The final project details will also be determined and formally included in thescholarship contract.
Post-Graduation Commitments and Repayment
After completing the scholarship, recipients havetwo options:
- Return to their home countryand work on developing their social project for at least18 months— in this case,no repayment is required.
- Remain in Germanyafter completing their studies — in this case, thescholarship must be repaidin12 monthly, interest-free installments, startingthree months after graduation.
Important Notes
Scholarship holders must promptly informSBW Berlinof any changes in personal circumstances and submit copies of their certificates and academic records after each semester.
Additional obligations are outlined in theindividual scholarship agreementfor each recipient.