SBW Berlin scholarship 2026

The SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students supports talented young people from abroad who have already shown social commitment and who use the skills they have acquired during their studies during and after their studies in social projects at a non-profit/social organization in their home countries. 

• Table of Content
• About SBW Berlin
• SBW Berlin Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of SBW Berlin Scholarship
• Requirements for SBW Berlin Scholarship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About SBW Berlin

SBW Berlin Scholarship

Application Deadline	Not Specified
Country to study	Germany
Type	Masters
Sponsor	SBW Berlin
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of SBW Berlin Scholarship

SBW Berlin covers the necessary living expenses of the scholarship recipients. The scholarship includes:

• a furnished room in shared student flats at Rudower Str. 67, 12351 Berlin
• cost-of-living allowance currently in the amount of 480 Euro per montH
• tuition fees 
• 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

First payments can only be made after the scholarship recipient has moved into the shared student apartment. Part-time jobs are generally not approved by SBW Berlin.

Requirements for SBW Berlin Scholarship Qualification

Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Between the ages of 18 and 30
• Professional or volunteer experience in the non-profit/social sector (supported by letters of recommendation from the social institution or non-profit organization)
• Have demonstrably not resided in Germany for more than 18 months prior to application
• University entrance qualification*
• Intention to work for at least 18 months in the country of origin after graduation or to engage in charitable activities in Germany until the repayment plan is fulfilled
• Proven relatively low net income (see guidelines)
• Average grade equivalent to a German grade point average of at least 2.0
• No first-degree family members permanently residing in Germany
• Application before the start of studies or fully enrolled in the first, second or maximum 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

Interested applicants should note that an application for a place at a university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin or Potsdam is required. This is done separately to the scholarship application, i.e. applicants are responsible for this themselves.

Our “Good to Know” video series on our YouTube channel presents the general university system in Germany and the universities in Berlin and shows how to apply apply to a university in Berlin.

Documents Required for Application

Only complete applications can be considered. Applicants must submit at least the following documents:

• Letter of recommendation from a non-profit organization or social institution or one of SBW Berlin’s partner organization (by email)
• Application form (A link will be shared with outstanding applicants.)
• Project description (two to five pages)
• Qualification for university entrance
• Information about the net household income
• Copy of the last school or university certificate that shows the grade point average and a grade overview
• Copy of the highest academic degree (high school diploma or university certificate) that shows the grade point average and a grade overview.

If available, copies of the following documents should also be included:

• Admission to a university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin or Potsdam
• Internationally recognized language certificate for the language in which your studies will be taught12
• All already obtained university certificates and records of achievements (graded and ungraded)
• All previous work, training, apprenticeship and internship certificates and references

We recommend that all applicants submit the following additional documents, which are not mandatory:

• one or two letters of recommendation from professors, schoolteachers, employers, etc.
• evidence of the net household income

The application and all enclosed certificates and supporting documents must be submitted in German or English. If the original document was issued in another language, we also ask for a translation into German or English.

Non-certified copies and simple translations are sufficient for the application.

After the successful completion of the selection process, certified copies are sometimes required in the verification process.

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

Not Specified

How to Apply

SBW Berlin does not charge any application or processing fees. There is no fixed application deadline; applications are accepted all year round.

• 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 required.
• The nonprofit organization or social institution submits the letter on behalf of the applicant as a PDF to [email protected]. After carefully reviewing the letter, outstanding prospects will be granted access to the application form.

For more information, kindly visit SBW scholarship webpage.