The SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students supports socially committed young people who want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin or Potsdam, Germany. Funding focuses on applicants who already work with a non-profit or social organisation in their home country and who plan to continue that social project after graduation.
This programme is run by SBW Berlin. It is not a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) scholarship, even though some aggregator sites incorrectly label it that way. Always follow the official SBW Berlin guidelines and application steps.
Key details
- Host: SBW Berlin (studies in Berlin or Potsdam, Germany)
- Levels: Bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes (vocational training in Berlin or Potsdam only in special cases)
- Fields of study: In principle, scientific, social, and artistic disciplines can be funded
- Places: About 20 scholarship places in total; awards each semester depend on available places
- Deadline: Open all year (no fixed application deadline)
- Language of application documents: German or English (translations accepted for other languages)
Funding
According to the official SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students guidelines (updated April 2025), a full scholarship typically includes:
- A furnished room in shared student flats at Rudower Str. 67, 12351 Berlin
- A cost-of-living allowance currently set at EUR 480 per month
- Tuition fees for the approved programme in Berlin or Potsdam (if fees exceed the national average, a personal contribution may be required)
- In some cases, a travel allowance for the journey to Berlin before studies begin and the return journey after studies end
Funding lasts from a minimum of 30 days up to a maximum of 48 months, based on the standard period of study. Support is reviewed each semester. SBW Berlin does not charge application or processing fees.
Eligibility
The international-student track targets foreign nationals whose home countries appear to have a particular need for development assistance. SBW Berlin notes that this often includes many countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Holders of a German student visa or a residence permit for study in Germany may also be considered under the guidelines.
Applicants must generally:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old
- Show professional or volunteer experience in the non-profit or social sector, proven by a letter of recommendation from a non-profit organisation or social institution
- Prove they have not stayed in Germany for more than 18 months before applying
- Hold a university entrance qualification
- Intend to work in their country of origin for at least 18 months after graduation, or to engage in non-profit work under a notarized repayment plan if they stay in Germany
- Demonstrate relatively low net household income (not exceeding the officially stated average income for the home country)
- Have average grades corresponding to a German grade point average of at least 2.0
- Have no first-degree family members who reside permanently in Germany
- Apply before starting university, or while enrolled in the first, second, or at most third semester at a state-recognized university (in Germany or abroad), or apply for a master’s degree shortly before or after obtaining a bachelor’s degree
Students whose studies in Germany are already funded by another scholarship are not eligible, except for assistance under the Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG), in which case the SBW Berlin amount is adjusted.
How to apply
There is no public open application form. Access to the SBW Berlin online application portal is invitation-only after the first screening step:
- Read the current Guidelines and Criteria for the SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students (and the social-field or refugee guidelines if those tracks fit you better).
- Arrange for a non-profit organisation or social institution to email a letter of recommendation as a PDF to [email protected] on your behalf. The letter should explain your responsibilities, the link between your planned studies and the organisation’s goals, and your planned social project.
- If SBW Berlin invites you after reviewing that letter, complete the online application form and upload required documents (project description of two to five pages, certificates, household income information, and other items listed in the guidelines).
- Expect a multi-stage selection process that can include document review and a personal interview or video conference.
Start with the official scholarships overview, then follow only instructions from SBW Berlin. Do not pay anyone claiming to sell access to the application portal.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a DAAD scholarship?
No. SBW Berlin awards and administers this scholarship. Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) is a separate German academic exchange organisation. Use the official SBW Berlin website and guidelines when you apply.
Is there an application deadline?
No. SBW Berlin accepts applications all year. Places are limited (about 20 in total), so strong preparation and early outreach still matter.
Where will I study and live?
Study must be at a university or Fachhochschule in Berlin or Potsdam. Scholarship housing is a furnished room in shared SBW Berlin student flats at Rudower Str. 67, 12351 Berlin. Family reunification through this programme is not possible.
Must I return home after graduation?
The programme expects international graduates to return to their home countries and continue their social projects for at least 18 months. Staying in Germany is possible only with a notarized repayment agreement for the monetary benefits already received, paid in 12 monthly instalments starting three months after funding or studies end.
What is the monthly stipend?
The official April 2025 guidelines list a cost-of-living allowance of EUR 480 per month, plus accommodation and tuition support as described above. Confirm the current figures in the latest guidelines before you apply.
