PhD-students and scientists please inform themselves and apply through the website of the Goethe-Welcome-Center.

About the Scholarship

The Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts (HMWK) awards the HessenFonds Scholarship to particularly gifted and high-achieving refugee students. The scholarship is supposed to support the start or continuation of studies or an academic career at a public university in Hesse and includes 300 euros per month for students, for one year.

Call for Applications

The application period for the funding period Winter Semester 2026/27 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027) is open and runs until Friday, July 10, 2026 (end of day).

• Call for applications for the funding line: refugee students, doctoral candidates & researchers (German)

Requirements for Funding (Updated: May 2026)

• Status as an asylum seeker (with refugee status) or recognized refugee (typically under §25(1), (2), or (3), §24, or §22 of the Residence Act).
• At the start of funding, eligible applicants have generally not been in Germany for more than five years or have been registered in Germany for a maximum of five years. Exceptions may apply for periods of childcare since arrival in Germany.
• Renewal applications must be justified separately.

Required Documents for the Application (Updated: May 2026)

1. Application form (including data protection consent, pages 1–3)
   • Application form for refugee students
   • Please note that we only accept digitally completed applications - handwritten entries will not be considered.
2. Motivation letter (max. 2 pages, within the application form)
3. Academic reference from a teaching staff member of Goethe University: template: Academic report by a teacher
   
   • Please contact us early if you have difficulties obtaining an academic reference from a Goethe University lecturer.
4. If applicable, an addendum regarding documents to be submitted later (may also appear at the beginning of the application form)
5. If applicable, explanations of childcare periods since arrival in Germany with proof (see page 2)
6. Copy of residence permit
7. Curriculum vitae: Europass format (max. 3 pages)
8. Enrollment certificate or study place confirmation from Goethe University (the enrollment certificate must be available at the start of funding)
9. University entrance qualification (usually school certificate or assessment test from Studienkolleg)
10. Academic records from studies (usually transcript of records), if available: bachelor's degree certificate or similar, study grades from country of origin
11. If applicable, proof of language skills
12. If applicable, further meaningful documents and certificates (e.g., voluntary engagement, special achievements, max. 3 pages)

Note: Certificates must be submitted as a copy/scan of the certified translation or in German or English original language. Foreign-language certificates (except English) should not be submitted additionally. Missing documents must be indicated in the application documents.

Application Process

Applications for a nomination by Goethe University in the current funding period starting in the winter semester 2026/27 are possible until July 10, 2026 (end of day). All required documents must be submitted via email to the Student Refugee Advisory Service.

If you have any questions in advance, you are welcome to send us an email or arrange an advising appointment at any time.

Once you have largely completed your application documents, feel free to send them to us for review. We will provide feedback on the quality before you submit your final application (please send at least two weeks before the deadline.

Contact at Goethe University

Student Refugee Advisory Service; Email: studium-flucht@uni-frankfurt.de

PhD-students please inform themselves and apply through the website of the Goethe-Welcome-Center.

About the Scholarship

The Hilde Domin Program of the DAAD supports at-risk Master's students and doctoral candidates worldwide who are formally or de facto denied the right to education in their country of origin. The program enables them to begin or continue their studies in Germany.

Funding for Master's students typically includes:

• €992 per month for up to 24 months,
• health, nursing care, accident, and personal liability insurance,
• and additional benefits.

Participation in a preparatory German language course can also be funded, and a travel allowance may be granted based on your country of origin or current residence.

Current Call for Applications

The application period for the funding period winter semester 2027/28 (October 1, 2027 – September 30, 2028) is open and ist expected to run until end of August 2026.

• Call for applications

Requirements for Funding (Data as of September 2025)

• A Master's degree in Germany is intended (second degrees at the same level, e.g. a second Master's, are not eligible for funding)
• The desired study programme is offered at Goethe University Frankfurt (programmes in human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and law are excluded from funding)
• Last enrolment at a foreign university for the intended Master's programme usually no more than six years ago at the time of application
• A recognised Bachelor's degree is available by the time the scholarship begins and qualifies for the intended Master's programme
• An individual risk situation can be credibly demonstrated (e.g. due to violence, persecution, discrimination, or denial of educational rights based on ethnic origin, religious identity, sexual or gender identity, or political/civic engagement)
• Minimum age of 18 years at the time of nomination
• No residence in Germany or in any EU/EWR/EFTA country (also not in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the United Kingdom)
• Citizenship of a country outside the above-mentioned states
• Language proficiency in the intended language of instruction (minimum level B2 for German or English Master's programmes)

If your academic credentials in Germany are recognized can be checked at anabin. An overview of study programs at Goethe University can be found here.

Application Process

Applicants must first be nominated by a university. Please contact us via e-mail and we will send you all the further information.

Contact at Goethe University

Service Point Studium & Flucht
Email: studium-flucht@uni-frankfurt.de

The Deutschlandstipendium is aimed at all students at Goethe University and, in addition to financial support of 300 euros/ month, also offers a non-material support programme. Prerequisites for a scholarship are very good academic performances as well as social commitment. In addition, biographical difficulties (e.g. refugee experience) are given special consideration in the selection process.

Contact point at Goethe University:
E-mail: deutschlandstipendium@uni-frankfurt.de

Goethe-Universitie's website on the Deutschlandstipendium