The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship program for international students pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees in Germany. It is offered by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, a political educational institution affiliated with the German political party “Die Linke.” The funding is provided by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt). The scholarship supports academic studies along with political and social engagement aligned with the foundation’s values.

The scholarship provides different financial coverage based on the academic level:

• For Master’s students:

  • €850 monthly stipend

  • €20 monthly study allowance

  • Up to €86 for health and nursing insurance

• For PhD students:

  • €1,350 monthly stipend

  • €100 lump sum for research costs

  • Additional health care subsidies

  • Extra funding available for international research trips, conferences, and fieldwork
    Language classes and academic training programs are also supported.

International students from all countries can apply. However, preference is given to:

• Women

• Applicants from migrant or non-academic backgrounds

• Socially or financially disadvantaged students

• Students with disabilities

• Applicants active in political, social, or community service

• Applicants pursuing studies in scientific and technical fields are especially encouraged.

You must also be accepted into or enrolled at a German university, and demonstrate good English and at least B2-level German proficiency.

No. A minimum of B2-level German language proficiency is required. Although some documents can be submitted in English, the application itself and most communication with the foundation must be in German. If your German isn’t strong enough, the foundation may sponsor additional German language classes once selected.

Yes, political and social engagement is a core requirement. The scholarship is not just academic; it supports students who are actively involved in community service, human rights work, environmental causes, or political activism, especially in line with the foundation’s leftist and progressive values.

The scholarship is available for all academic fields except:

• Medicine

• Dentistry

• Veterinary Medicine
  Applicants from technical and scientific disciplines are especially encouraged to apply.

• For Master’s programs: Maximum of three years

• For PhD programs: Maximum of four years
  Initially, the scholarship is granted for one year and can be extended annually upon academic performance and continued eligibility. Extensions beyond the standard study period (Regelstudienzeit) are also possible under special conditions.

The application deadline is October 1, 2025, for scholarships beginning in the summer semester (April 1, 2026). It is advised to apply early as gathering documents, especially from universities, may take time.

Here’s the application process:

1. Visit the official online portal of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

2. Create an account and log in.

3. Fill out the online application form in German or English.

4. Upload all required documents (e.g., CV, academic transcripts, letter of admission, language certificates, and personal statement).

5. Submit the application before the deadline.

Applicants are shortlisted based on academic merit, activism, and alignment with the foundation’s values.

Apart from financial support, the foundation provides:

• Political education events

• Workshops on academic writing, research methods, time and self-management

• Summer schools and symposia

• International study trips and conferences

• Training in rhetoric, communication, and conflict resolution