Heinrich Böll Scholarship 2027: Green Values, German Degrees, Monthly Funding
The Heinrich Böll Foundation funds international master’s and PhD students in Germany who combine strong grades with social and political engagement. The next window runs 15 January to 1 March 2027.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
The Heinrich Böll Foundation (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung) is the political foundation affiliated with the German Greens. Its scholarship office, the Studienwerk, funds students and doctoral candidates who are academically strong and socially engaged. International applicants can apply for a master’s or a PhD in Germany. Funding comes from the German Federal Foreign Office for internationals, and the monthly amounts are published on the official financial support page.
A values-based scholarship, not a grades contest
Germany has 13 state-funded “gifted student” foundations. Each one has a world-view. Böll’s is green politics: ecology and sustainability, democracy, human rights, gender equality, anti-discrimination, and arts and culture. The Foundation describes itself as looking for people who will act as multipliers for these goals.
That changes how you should apply. Good grades get you through the door, but the official profile asks for three things together: a very good academic record, social commitment and political interest, and a convincing reason for choosing Böll in particular. PhD applicants also need a convincing research project.
You do not need to be a member of any party. You do need to show what you have actually done, not just what you believe.
What the scholarship pays
Benefits →These are the figures for international (non-EU) scholars on the official financial support page, checked on 6 October 2026.
€992 a month base, up to €100 health insurance, €38 fixed fringe benefit, tuition fees in Germany up to €10,000 a year, German course fees, family and child allowances.
€1,500 a month base, €100 a month mobility allowance, up to €200 health insurance, €38 fixed fringe benefit, German course fees, family and child allowances. Generally three to three and a half years, with extensions possible.
Master’s funding covers the standard period of study. There is no extra money for semesters spent abroad.
The 2027 calendar
Deadlines →Böll runs two rounds a year, with deadlines on 1 March and 1 September. The official scholarships page lists both 2027 windows.
| Round | Portal window | Decision | Funding starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2026 | Closed 1 Sep 2026 | Jan/Feb 2027 | By 1 Apr 2027 |
| Spring 2027 | 15 Jan – 1 Mar 2027 | Jun/Jul 2027 | By 1 Oct 2027 |
| Autumn 2027 | 15 Jul – 1 Sep 2027 | Jan/Feb 2028 | By 1 Apr 2028 |
Decision and start months follow the pattern in the official info sheets; exact dates for each round are not published in advance.
Who it is for
For a master’s: international students who completed their first degree abroad and apply before starting a master’s in Germany. The programme must be full-time at a state or state-recognised university and last at least four semesters. For a PhD: international candidates who completed their graduate degree abroad and are doing a doctorate in Germany.
Priority goes to applicants from countries on the OECD DAC list (development-aid recipients) who have not yet moved to Germany when they apply. And there is one hard filter many people miss: German at B2 level is mandatory, even if your programme is taught in English.
The Foundation says it supports up to 1,600 scholars at any time, of whom up to 100 are international (source: About us and candidates we seek). Most Böll scholars are German or EU students. The international track is small, so treat it as one application among several. See alternatives.
Where to go next
Seven-question checker, plus the German and timing rules.
Portal steps and the three-stage selection.
Master’s and PhD trackers you can tick off.
How to write about values without slogans.
Start on the official site
This is an independent guide. Dates and amounts change. Use the Foundation’s scholarships page, the application page and the current info sheets as the source of truth. Questions go to the Studienwerk at studienwerk@boell.de.