If you are studying, or about to study, a master's at a German university and you hold liberal, freedom-minded values, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation's student scholarship is one of Germany's better-kept funding secrets. It is not a household name like the DAAD, but it is one of Germany's officially recognised talent-support ("Begabtenförderung") scholarships, offering monthly financial support plus a whole ecosystem of seminars, networking and mentoring — without asking you to join any political party. At Youth Works Hub we track funded study routes across Europe, and this one has a clear next deadline, so here is the full breakdown of who it is for, what it pays, and how the selection works.
About the Foundation and the Scholarship
🕊️ The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is a German liberal political foundation, close in outlook to the FDP. Its scholarship programme is part of Germany's official talent-support system, known as Begabtenförderung.
🤝 What FNF looks for is a commitment to liberal values and civic engagement. Membership of a political party is explicitly not required — the foundation wants people who are academically strong and socially active, not card-carrying members.
📅 Applications are accepted online only, in two windows each year: 1–30 April and 1–31 October (closing at 23:59 on the final day). The next deadline is 31 October 2026.
Who the Student Scholarship Is For
🎓 This scholarship supports students enrolled at a state or recognised university in Germany. For applicants from outside the EU, funding is available for master's-level study (and the main phase of the Staatsexamen) — a bachelor's degree is not funded for non-EU students.
⏳ You must have at least two semesters remaining until graduation, and you must not have exceeded the standard period of study for your programme.
📚 All disciplines are eligible — the scholarship is not restricted to particular fields.
What It Pays
💶 According to the foundation's own FAQ, the monthly ceiling for a non-EU / international master's scholar is up to around €934 per month. This is made up of a base amount plus a €300 study-costs flat rate (Studienkostenpauschale). Exact figures can vary, so confirm your rate with the foundation.
👨👩👧 Additional family-related components are reported for a spouse (around €276) and per child (around €259), though these should be confirmed directly, as they are not fully verified.
🩺 A contribution toward health insurance is included, with the amount depending on your situation.
🔁 The scholarship does not have to be repaid — it is a grant, not a loan.
💼 There is a cap on how much you may earn alongside the scholarship (reported around €520 per month, with some sources citing different thresholds), so check the current limit before taking on paid work.
How Long the Funding Lasts
📆 The student scholarship runs for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
The Non-Financial Side
🌐 The money is only half of it. Scholars join the foundation's programme of seminars, events, networking and mentoring built around liberal values and civic engagement. To take part in this non-material support you are expected to have German at B2 level.
Eligibility Fine Print
📌 No age limit.
📌 German at B2 level for participation in the foundation's non-material programme.
📌 A residence rule for non-EU applicants: you should not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months before the scholarship begins (time spent in study or research is an exception).
📌 Selection is based on grades, references, leadership, community engagement and a genuine alignment with liberal values.
🎓 Comparing funded undergraduate routes abroad while you plan? This international award is worth bookmarking: the Lester B. Pearson Award for International Undergraduates at the University of Toronto in 🇨🇦 Canada → https://youthworkshub.org/21038
The Selection Process
The process runs in four stages:
1️⃣ Online application during the 1–30 April or 1–31 October window (by 23:59 on the closing day).
2️⃣ Document pre-screening.
3️⃣ A compulsory personal interview / selection-seminar conversation. International applicants abroad complete this by video.
4️⃣ The decision, communicated within three weeks of the selection conference. Interview invitations are sent by 8 February or 8 August depending on the round.
The Documents You Will Need
📄 Everything is uploaded online as PDFs (each up to 5 MB).
📎 Two letters of reference, submitted through a personal portal link — references sent by email are rejected. References may be in English.
📚 Prefer a different funded scholarship option overseas? Take a look at this one in another country: the Glendon Chase McCormick Award at Dalhousie University in 🇨🇦 Canada → https://youthworkshub.org/21037
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Do I have to be in Germany already? You need to be enrolled (or about to enrol) at a German university; international applicants abroad do the interview by video.
❓ Is a bachelor's funded? For non-EU applicants, no — funding is for master's-level study.
❓ Do I need German? Yes, B2 level, so you can take part in the foundation's seminars and events.
❓ Do I need to join a political party? No. Party membership is explicitly not required; what matters is alignment with liberal values and civic engagement.
❓ Is there an age limit? No.
❓ When can I apply? In two windows a year: 1–30 April and 1–31 October. The next deadline is 31 October 2026.
❓ Do I repay it? No, it is a grant.
Deadline
⏳ 31 October 2026 (applications close at 23:59 on the final day; the other annual window runs 1–30 April). Youth Works Hub keeps funded study scholarships like this in one place so you can prepare your references and documents before the window closes.
Link
🔗 Official scholarships page: https://www.freiheit.org/scholarships-friedrich-naumann-foundation-freedom
📩 Enquiries: stipendien-bewerbung@freiheit.org · +49 30 2099-3702
