The Heinrich Böll Foundation has announced that applications for its Spring 2027 scholarship round will open on 15 January 2027, giving eligible international students an opportunity to seek financial support for postgraduate study in Germany.

According to the Foundation’s official scholarship page, the online application portal will close on 1 March 2027. The programme supports eligible international students who have completed their first degree abroad and intend to begin a Master’s degree in Germany, as well as international graduates applying for doctoral study.

The Foundation gives priority to applicants from countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list who have not yet taken up residence in Germany when they apply. Nigerian applicants who meet the relevant requirements can review the official information and prepare their documents before the portal opens.

Scholarship application dates

• Application portal opens: 15 January 2027
• Application deadline: 1 March 2027
• Next application round: 15 July to 1 September 2027
• Study destination: Germany
• Study levels: Master’s and PhD
• Application method: Online

View the full details of how to Apply for Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships 2027/2028 in Germany with Monthly Stipends for Master’s and PhD Students.

Who can apply?

The Foundation’s international scholarship programme is intended for eligible applicants pursuing postgraduate education in Germany.

International Master’s applicants must have completed their first degree abroad and apply before starting a Master’s programme in Germany. International doctoral applicants who have completed their graduate degree abroad may apply for a PhD programme in Germany.

Applicants should consult the Foundation’s detailed information sheets to confirm the formal requirements for their study level before preparing an application.

How to prepare for the application

Prospective applicants should review the Foundation’s official scholarship information, check the requirements for their intended study level and begin gathering the required documents ahead of the January opening date.

The Foundation accepts applications through its online portal. Applicants should avoid waiting until the deadline to complete their submissions.

Application Process for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships 2027

Applications for the Spring 2027 round will be submitted through the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s online application portal, which opens on 15 January 2027 and closes on 1 March 2027. The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Scholarship process is as follows;

1. Confirm your eligibility.

Check whether you qualify for the international Master’s scholarship or PhD scholarship. Master’s applicants must have completed their first degree abroad before applying to begin a Master’s programme in Germany. PhD applicants must have completed their graduate degree abroad.

2. Download the correct application information.

Visit the official scholarship page and select the relevant application document for students or PhD candidates. Read the applicable information sheet carefully before proceeding.

3. Prepare your supporting documents.

Follow the instructions in the relevant application documents to identify the required academic records, personal information and other supporting materials for your category.

4. Complete the online application.

When the portal opens on 15 January 2027, access it through the Foundation’s official website and complete the application according to the instructions provided.

5. Submit before the deadline.

Ensure that your application is complete and submitted by 1 March 2027. Do not wait until the final day to resolve missing documents or technical problems.

6. Monitor official updates.

Check the Foundation’s website and any application-related communications for information about the selection process and subsequent steps.

For application enquiries, contact the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship Department at studienwerk@boell.de or call +49 (0) 30 285 34-400. The Foundation lists telephone office hours as Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Official application information

Visit the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s official scholarship page for application details, information sheets and links to the relevant forms: https://www.boell.de/en/scholarships

This program is Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

Lastly, applicants should use the Foundation’s official website as the authoritative source for eligibility requirements, application documents and deadline updates.