SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students 2025 (Fully-Funded)

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About SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students

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

During their studies in Berlin, they used their scholarship to work on social projects. These projects should ideally be part of the charitable work of organizations based in their home countries and contribute to improving living conditions in those countries.

After their studies, SBW Berlin continues to provide advisory services to scholarship recipients, who are expected to continue and advance projects in their home countries using the skills they learned here.

• Sponsor Organisation: SBW Berlin

Benefits of SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students

For the scholarship duration, SBW Berlin provides:

• A furnished room in shared student apartments in Berlin.
• A monthly cost-of-living allowance of €480.
• Tuition fees.
• Possible travel assistance for arrival in Berlin and return after course completion.

Notes:

• Payments begin only after moving into the shared apartment.
• Part-time jobs are generally not allowed.
• For recipients of Federal Education Assistance (BAföG), benefits are adjusted to comply with §21 Para. 3 No. 2 BAFöG, with allowances typically limited to a book stipend of up to €100 per month.

SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students Requirements

Who can apply?

• Foreign nationals coming from countries need development assistance.
• Students who hold student visas for Germany and want to carry out a course of study in Germany

Applicants must have the following:

• Between the ages of 18 and 30 years old
• Experience in the non-profit/social sector (supported by letters of recommendation from the social institution or non-profit organization).
• Applicants have not resided in Germany for more than 18 months before applying.
• Qualification for university admission.
• Intention to work in the country of origin for at least 18 months after graduation or to engage in charitable activities in Germany until the repayment plan is completed.
• Proven low net income (refer to guidelines).
• A grade point average of at least 2.0 in German is required.
• There are no first-degree family members who live permanently in Germany.
• Application before the start of studies or enrollment in the first, second, or maximum third semester of a state-recognized university (in Germany or abroad) or application for a master’s degree shortly before or after obtaining a bachelor’s degree
• Applicants should remember that an application to a university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin or Potsdam is required. This is done independently of the scholarship application, so applicants are responsible.

Expectations from Scholarship Recipients

As recipients of the scholarship, incoming fellows should meet the following criteria:

• Proactive Social Project Development:Dedicate 2 to 8 hours per week to develop social projects during the study period actively
• Maintain Good Academic Performance:Demonstrate good academic performance throughout each semester.
• Active Participation: Participate actively in regular project meetings and workshops SBW Berlin hosts.
• Project Reporting: Write comprehensive project reports to track progress and outcomes.
• Presentations and Talks: Prepare and deliver talks or presentations on the progress and impact of their projects.
• Transparent Communication: Maintain transparency and clear communication regarding professional goals and project developments.
• Repayment Plan: In case of discontinuation of studies or the project, or if remaining in Germany after the funding period, initiate a repayment plan starting three months after the studies or funding period, with payments made in 12 monthly installments.

Required Documents for Application

 

Applicants should submit these application documents for consideration:

• Letter of Recommendation: From a non-profit organization, social institution, or one of SBW  Berlin’s partner organizations. (Submission via email)
• Application Form: Outstanding applicants will receive a link to access the form.
• Project Description: Two to five pages detailing your project.
• Qualification for University Entrance:Documentation proving eligibility for university admission.
• Net Household Income Information: Details about the household’s net income.
• Last School or University Certificate: Showing grade point average and grade overview.
• Highest Academic Degree Certificate: (High school diploma or university certificate) with grade point average and grade overview.

Include the following documents if available:

• Admission to a University: In Berlin or Potsdam.
• Language Certificate: For the language of instruction.
• University Certificates and Records: Graded and ungraded.
• Work and Training Certificates: Including internships and apprenticeships.

Applicants can submit the following additional, though not mandatory, documents:

• Letters of Recommendation from professors, schoolteachers, employers, and more
• Evidence of Net Household Income

Notes:

• • All documents must be in German or English. If in another language, include a translation.
  • Non-certified copies and simple translations are acceptable for the application. Certified copies may be needed after the selection process for verification.

Selection Criteria and Process

Following are the selection criteria and process details for the SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students:

Selection Criteria:

In addition to demonstrating collaboration with a non-profit/social organization in their home country, the following criteria are crucial for selecting scholarship recipients:

• Financial Need: Applicants must meet the requirements of § 1 BAföG (German Federal  Education Assistance Act) and demonstrate financial need. Funding amounts will be determined based on individual circumstances.
• Household Income: Eligibility extends to applicants whose total household income falls below the average income officially stated for their home country. All sources of income for the applicant and household members are considered.
• Intellectual Abilities: Applicants must exhibit intellectual abilities, as evidenced by application documents and interviews, that suggest they will meet the academic demands of the funded studies and degree.
• Personality and Social Commitment:Applicants whose personality and social commitment indicate that they will effectively utilize the scholarship to achieve their goals during and after their studies in collaboration with non-profit organizations or social institutions in their home country will be considered.
• Evaluation of Non-Profit/Social Project: The applicant’s proposed non-profit/social project will be evaluated, and decisions regarding additional financial resources for project implementation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Selection Process:

• First Phase: Review applicants’ letters of recommendation to determine access to the application portal. Access details are communicated via email.
• Second Phase: Detailed assessment of application forms, academic performance, and financial situation.
• Third Phase: Conducting interviews or video conferences with suitable candidates identified from document reviews. Candidates may be tasked with solving practical problems and discussing their proposed projects, including defining objectives for the first six months. Projects may be specified by SBW Berlin or presented by the applicants.
• Final Selection: Based on a comprehensive evaluation, the final selection of scholarship recipients is made.

Application Date and Process

As part of the application process for the SBW Berlin Scholarship, please note the following guidelines:

• SBW Berlin does not charge any fees for the application or processing.
• Applicants should provide proof of their social commitment through a letter of recommendation from a non-profit organization or social institution. The respective organization or institution should submit the letter as a PDF to [email protected]n on behalf of the applicant.
• The reviewers will carefully review the letter of recommendation submitted upon receipt. Applicants with outstanding prospects will have access to the application form.
• Please provide all required documents and information in your application. Only complete applications are acceptable for the scholarship.

Submission email: [email protected]

If you have more questions, check the FAQ or Guidelines.

Scholarship Application Portal

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