Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships in Germany for International Students

Benefits

• Their scholarship program consists of financial assistance, personal guidance, a wide seminar program and access to the worldwide KAS-network. After the successful completion of studies, they remain in contact with their alumni and involve them in their national and international activities.
• Financial assistance: The duration and level of funding vary for different types of studies. Graduates (master or postgraduate students) receive a monthly scholarship of €850 ( €861 as of August 1, 2020). The standard funding period is two years. After having obtained unconditional admission to doctoral studies at a German university, PhD-students receive a monthly scholarship of €1.200. The standard funding period for PhD scholars is three years. They also fund research stays in Germany for a minimum of three semesters.
• Besides the monthly stipend, they offer multiple subsidies for their scholars. Upon request, they subsidize health care insurance up to the amount of €120 per month. They also offer a family allowance of €276 provided that you and your spouse live together in one place in Germany for at least three months and that his/her income does not exceed the amount of €450 per month. Additionally, they grant children’s allowance of € 194 per month for children living with you in Germany. Prerequisites are the submission of an official German translation of the child’s birth certificate and the official rejection of your demand for public child allowance.
• In addition, PhD-scholars can apply for financial assistance for research stays abroad. However, they do not fund participation in congresses or symposia.
  Fees resulting from courses at the university in Germany that are directly related to your studies can be refunded up to the amount of € 1.500 per semester. However, they do not refund regular semester fees resulting from enrollment or annual re-registration.
• Network and Seminars: Being a scholar of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung means much more than just receiving financial assistance. Their scholars benefit from a broad program of ideational support. They become part of an active and living network. The program is based on three pillars: 1. Personal contact and mentoring. 2. A wide seminar program – with over 180 activities per year – for all of our app. 3.000 scholars in Germany. 3. Regional and local activities of our more than 140 different university groups.
• Mentoring by our staff and representatives at the universities: Their staff members and representatives at the universities supervise and consult their scholars personally. They monitor the progress of your studies as well as your participation in the seminar program and the activities of your university group. Their foundation attaches great importance to the continued development of your social commitment. The overall objective is to support you in identifying and in improving your individual strengths.
• A manifold seminar program: The objective of the seminars, which are held exclusively for their scholars, is to expand the general education of their scholars. The seminars provide opportunities for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and information with other scholars and acknowledged experts. The ranges of topics include historical, political, economic and social issues on a national, European and international scope. Furthermore, training and coaching seminars help our scholars to strengthen their soft skills and to facilitate the transition from studying to professional life.
• Being part of a local university group and of Buddy-Program: The local university groups, “Hochschulgruppen”, are managed independently by their scholars along with the representatives of their foundation at the universities, the so-called “Vertrauensdozenten”. Each semester, they create a program of diverse activities for themselves. These local groups also help you with settling in and getting used to your new surroundings. Furthermore, they invite foreign scholars to take part in their Buddy-Program. On request, they identify an experienced German scholar to support you during the settling in period at your university in Germany and to facilitate your connection with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and your local university group.
• The network of former scholars: It is a matter of particular interest to the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung to encourage networking between their current and former scholars. Over 14.000 alumni form a vibrant and global network of former KAS scholars who play active roles in politics, economics, science and society all over the world and who, at the same time, remain committed to their foundation and its current scholars. More than 50 regional alumni groups worldwide and several specialized sub-networks give great opportunities to their former scholars and allow them to remain connected to their foundation. This alumni network also provides practical assistance: its members finance a Social Fund which provides help to current and former scholars in cases of need. Moreover, the network promotes scientific and social projects.