Country: Germany

Program: Bachelors

Duration: 4 years

Introduction:

The SBW Berlin scholarship for international students young people from abroad who are already socially committed and will use the skills they acquire during their studies and there after to develop social or non-profit projects at non-profit organizations or social institutions in their home countries.
SBW Berlin awards scholarships based on professional qualifications, personal suitability, and
financial need1 to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree program at a university or a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin or Potsdam. In principle, all scientific, social, and artistic disciplines can be fund.

Objectives:

The intention to pursue their professional goals for at least 18 months after the end of the funding period or graduation in their respective home countries or to engage in non-profit work in Germany, considering however a notarized repayment plan, and to continue participating in regular meetings with SBW Berlin and discussing their professional development (project and job) are other important requirements for the SBW Berlin scholarship for international students.

Scholarship Moto:

Our scholarship program focuses on the scholarship recipients’ social commitments and the
development of non-profit/social projects in their respective home country. In cooperation with a local non-profit organization or social institution, the scholarship recipients work on their own projects, which they present during the application process by submitting a project description.All projects aim to support people in need and the non-profit or social institution’s objectives and have a greater benefit for society, in general.

Who can apply?

• Foreign nationals, whose home countries appear to have a particular need for development assistant.
• Holders of a student visa for Germany or a residence permit with the purpose of taking up or carrying out a course of study in Germany
• Students whose studies in Germany are already being fund by another scholarship are not eligible to apply.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Between 18 and 30 years old
2. Professional or volunteer experience in the non-profit/social sector (proven by a social
institution’s letter of recommendation)
3. Able to prove that they have not stayed in Germany for more than 18 months before the
application
4. Qualification for university entrance
5. Intention to work in their country of origin for at least 18 months after graduation or to
engage in non-profit work until the repayment plan has been fulfill.
6. Able to prove a relatively low net income.
7. Average grades corresponding to a German grade point average of at least 2.0.9
8. No first-degree family members who reside permanently in Germany
9. Application before the start of their university education or fully enrolled in the first, second, or max. third semester at a state-recognized university (in Germany or abroad) or
application for a master’s degree shortly before or after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

Documents Requirement:

1. SBW Berlin does not charge any application or processing fees.
2. When applying for the scholarship, proof of the applicant’s social commitment in the form of a
   letter of recommendation from a non-profit organization or social institution is require. The nonprofit organization or social institution submits the letter on behalf of the applicant as PDF to
   application@sbw.berlin. After carefully reviewing the letter, outstanding prospects will be granted
   access to the application form.
3. Only complete applications can be consider. Applicants must submit at least the following
   documents:
4. Letter of recommendation from a non-profit organization or social institution or one of
   SBW Berlin’s partner organization (by email)
5. Application form (A link will be shared with outstanding applicants.)
6. Project description (two to five pages)

Selection Process:

1. During the first phase of the selection process, the letter of recommendation from the applicants are carefully review. A decision is then made as to whether applicants will be grant access to the application portal. The link will be shared via email.
2. During the second phase of the selection process, the application form, the applicant’s grades, and financial situation are carefully review.
3. During the third phase of the selection process, an interview or video conference is conducted with candidates who, after examining the documents, have been deemed suitable for the scholarship
   program.
4. During the interviews candidates may be assigned to solve a practical problem. In
   addition, the proposed social or non-profit project and its objectives can be discussed to define the first six months’ timeline. The project can be either specified by SBW Berlin or applicants can present their own projects.
5. Then the final selection is made.

Benefits:

1. A furnished room in shared student flats in Berlin.
2. cost-of-living allowance currently in the amount of 480 Euro per month.
3. tuition fees.
4. Possibly also a travel contribution for the journey to Berlin before the start of the course of study and for the journey home after successful completion of the course.

Deadline:

There are no application deadlines for SBW Berlin Scholarship. Applicants can apply for the scholarship program all year round.

Application Form:

When applying for the scholarship, proof of the applicant’s social commitment in the form of a
letter of recommendation from a non-profit organization or social institution is require. The nonprofit organization or social institution submits the letter on behalf of the applicant as PDF toapplication@sbw.berlin. After carefully reviewing the letter, outstanding prospects will be granted access to the application form.