Hamburg Merit Scholarships
Universität Hamburg offers a prestigious merit scholarship program to support outstanding international students and doctoral researchers across all subjects and degree levels. This program is designed for those who have demonstrated social commitment and active involvement in an international context. The scholarship allows recipients to focus entirely on their studies and provides an opportunity to further develop their skills in one of Germany’s leading educational institutions.
Eligibility Criteria for Hamburg Merit Scholarships
To be eligible for the University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships , applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have been enrolled in a subject at Universität Hamburg for at least 2 semesters and be pursuing a degree (students in 2-year master’s degree programs and doctoral researchers can apply after 1 completed semester)
- Not hold German citizenship
- Not be eligible for the federal student loan scheme (BAföG) as per Section 8 of the German federal training assistance act
Hamburg Merit Scholarships Details
- Funding Amount: The maximum monthly funding sum is €930
- Duration: Merit scholarships are awarded for 2 semesters (total of 12 months)
- Reapplication: Students can reapply for a merit scholarship
- Maximum Funding Duration: 2 years
Read also:
Qatar Universities Scholarships Without IELTS 2025
Application Deadlines
There are two application periods each year:
- April 15 (for the funding period: October 1 – September 30 of the following year)
- October 15 (for the funding period: April 1 – March 31 of the following year)
Important note for the October 15, 2024 deadline: The deadline for requesting an appointment to present your residence permit or, for EU citizens, your identity card and registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”) is Friday, October 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. Appointment requests received after this time cannot be considered, and the application will be deemed incomplete.
Application Process
- Access the online application form using your STiNE ID
- Register with your student email address
- Complete the online application
- Upload the following documents to the online application portal:
- CV
- Letter of motivation (using the provided template form)
- Proof of social and/or intercultural activities (if applicable)
- Record of achievements:
- For Bachelor’s and Staatsexamen students: STiNE printout of “Leistungskonto” or current transcript of records
- For Master’s students and doctoral researchers: Most recent degree certificate with grades in English or German
- Evaluations from 2 full-time teaching staff members with doctorates at Universität Hamburg (using the provided template form)
- Present the following documents to the program coordinator before the application deadline:
- Non-EU citizens: Residence permit
- EU citizens: Identity card and registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”) in Germany
Read also:
Heinrich Boll Foundation Internship in USA 2025
Selection Procedure
Merit scholarships are awarded by a committee comprising members of faculties and ASTA (student council). Applicants will receive notification by email once the selection procedure is complete. The current status of applications can be checked on the online portal.
Selection Criteria
The committee considers the following factors:
- Good to excellent academic performance
- Other verifiable knowledge and capabilities (e.g., presentations, publications, prizes, additional specialized skills, previous funding)
- Social and/or intercultural activities (e.g., confirmation of volunteer work)
- Applicant’s need/social situation
Read also:
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 2025
Disbursement of Scholarship
- Scholarships are disbursed on the first day of each month of funding
- Funding commences on October 1 for the April 15 application round and on April 1 of the following year for the October 15 application round
- Scholarships cannot be paid into foreign bank accounts
- Academic leave is not permitted during the funding period
Frequently Asked Questions
- Dual citizenship: Applicants with both German and foreign citizenship are not eligible as they can apply for BAföG.
- Age limit: There are no age restrictions as of Winter Semester 2015/16.
- Evaluators:
- For Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Staatsexamen students: Professors and full-time teaching staff with doctorates, professors emeriti active in teaching, acting professors, and senior physicians at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (for medical students).
- For doctoral researchers: Only evaluations from professors/junior professors are accepted, with evaluations from senior physicians also accepted for medical subjects.
- Obtaining evaluations: Contact evaluators at least 6 weeks before applying and provide them with the evaluation template.
- Incomplete applications: Applications with only one evaluation will not be accepted.
- Study abroad: Contact the program coordinator if planning a longer absence during the lecture period.
- Additional funding: Merit scholarship holders cannot receive additional funding from other sources.
- Extending funding: Reapplication is possible after receiving a one-year scholarship, with a maximum funding period of 2 years.
Read also:
Politecnico di Milano Scholarships 2025
Contact Information
Funding for International Students and Graduates, Department of International Affairs
- Tel: +49 40 42838-3311
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone office hours: Tuesdays 1 pm – 3 pm, Thursdays 10 am – 12 pm
Conclusion
The University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships for 2025 offer a significant opportunity for international students to pursue their academic goals in Germany. With substantial financial support and a focus on both academic excellence and social commitment, these scholarships can be a stepping stone to a successful academic and professional future. Interested students should carefully review the eligibility criteria and application process to ensure they submit a complete and competitive application.
Read also:
Fully Funded Master’s Programs in Artificial Intelligence
IELTS Preparation Program 2025 (Free IELTS Resources)