ROSA LUXEMBURG FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS 2027 — GERMANY

The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung) is one of Germany’s leading political foundations, affiliated with values of social justice, democracy, equality, and solidarity. Its scholarship programme supports outstanding master’s and PhD students, both from Germany and internationally, who combine strong academic achievement with a genuine commitment to civic engagement and progressive social change.

For African students, this scholarship is particularly valuable because Germany’s public universities charge no tuition fees, so the monthly stipend fully covers living costs. The foundation actively prioritises applicants from non-academic and migrant backgrounds, women, and people with disabilities, making it one of the more inclusive scholarship programmes in Germany. Applications from all disciplines are welcome, except medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine at the doctoral level.

The October 1, 2026, deadline is for grants beginning April 1, 2027 (summer semester). The scholarship is initially awarded for one year and extended until the completion of your studies, provided academic requirements are met.

What It Covers

For Master’s students:

• Monthly stipend of €850
• Additional lump sum of €20/month
• Health and nursing insurance subsidy of up to €86/month

For PhD students:

• Monthly stipend of €1,350
• Research costs allowance of €100/month
• Health care subsidy
• Funding for research stays abroad (conferences, research visits)
• Access to political education events, summer schools, workshops, and seminars
• Practical training in skills including rhetoric, conflict management, and academic writing

Who Can Apply

For Master’s scholarships (international students):

• Must be enrolled or admitted to a state-recognised German university for a Master’s programme.
• German language proficiency at B2 level minimum (the foundation does not fund German language courses pre-award).
• Strong academic record and demonstrated social/civic engagement aligned with the foundation’s values.
• Not eligible for medicine degrees.

For PhD scholarships (international doctoral students):

• Must hold or be completing a master’s degree.
• Must be accepted at a public or publicly accredited university in Germany, or have a German supervisor for research based abroad.
• Must not have been resident in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application (with some exceptions).
• German language proficiency at B2 level.
• Compelling doctoral research proposal aligned with social justice, democracy, or sustainability themes.

Study Levels: Master’s, PhD
Host Country: Germany
Deadline: October 1, 2026 (for grants starting in April 2027)

How to Apply

Apply online through the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation’s scholarship portal below. Prepare your motivation letter, academic transcripts, proof of university enrollment or admission, proof of German language proficiency (B2), CV, and evidence of social or political engagement. PhD applicants must also submit a detailed doctoral research proposal.