About the scholarship program
The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSS) is a Munich-based German political foundation associated with the Christian Social Union (CSU). It funds outstanding German and international students at German universities, especially doctoral candidates, who combine strong grades with volunteer work and an interest in public affairs.
Information last verified: November 2, 2026Official source
Available programmes
Each programme has its own requirements, documents and benefits. Open it to see them in full with the application steps:
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Hanns Seidel Foundation Scholarships for International Students in Germany 2027
PhD, Bachelor, MasterLiving Stipend OnlyAll fieldsJanuary 31, 2027
Life and living
Germany
Life and living
Germany
Studying and living in Germany
Costs and living
Tuition: • No tuition at public universities in 14 states for bachelor’s, consecutive master’s and doctorates; students only pay the semester contribution (about €100–350 per semester, often including a transport ticket). • Baden-Württemberg (e.g. Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Freiburg, KIT): €1,500 per semester for non-EU students. • Technical University of Munich (TUM): €2,000–3,000 per semester for bachelor’s and €4,000–6,000 for master’s (rising from winter 2027/28). • Doctorates are tuition-free in every state. Living: proof of €992 a month (€11,904 a year) is required, usually through a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Students typically spend about €850–1,100 a month depending on the city (Munich and Hamburg are more expensive). Statutory student health insurance costs about €120–140 a month.
Working while studying
International students may work 140 full days or 280 half days a year without approval from the Federal Employment Agency, and up to 20 hours a week during the lecture period. Student assistant jobs at the university do not count towards this limit. After graduation: a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job matching your qualification, then a switch to a skilled-worker permit or the EU Blue Card.
Last verified: October 2026· Source
Guide to studying in GermanyFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps.
Funding type: Living Stipend Only. Announced benefits: Up to €1,650 a month for PhD, €100 a month for research costs, Family allowances, Foundation seminar programme, Students: up to €885 a month + €300.
Eligible levels: Master, PhD.
The latest deadline we have is January 31, 2027. Dates can differ by university or programme, so confirm on the official website.
Required documents: Tabular and narrative CVs, Certificates and transcripts, A dissertation outline of about 10 pages with bibliography, Proof of volunteer work, Two recommendation letters, one from the supervisor.
Apply directly on the official website: https://www.hss.de. ForsaEdu does not receive applications or charge any fee.
Track your academic readiness
Use the checklist in your profile to prepare your documents and make sure you meet this scholarship’s requirements.
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