Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarships

Rosa Luxemburg Foundation awards scholarships to doctoral candidates from abroad who have been admitted to a doctoral programme at a German higher education institution and are staying in Germany for their doctorate. Doctoral funding is based on the foundation’s political values, particularly social justice and solidarity.

The programme is aimed at particularly gifted international doctoral candidates from any discipline (except for medical disciplines). It applies to doctoral candidates at any type of higher education institution with a promising topic for a doctoral thesis, provided they identify with and are committed to democratic socialism and its values.

Selection criteria include enrolment at a state or state-recognised higher education institution in Germany or abroad, supervision by a university lecturer in Germany, a very good graduate degree, social engagement in line with the foundation’s values, and German proficiency at least at B2 level (proof required). Eligible candidates must not have been in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application, with stated exceptions, and priority is given to applicants from DAC countries who are still residing in their country of origin at the time of application.

The maximum scholarship duration is 3 years. Doctoral candidates receive a grant of 1,500 EUR each month plus a mobility allowance of 100 EUR and a further lump sum of 20 EUR.

• Applicant is an international doctoral candidate from abroad.
• Applicant is admitted to a doctoral programme at a German higher education institution and is staying in Germany for the purpose of the doctorate.
• Discipline: any discipline except medical disciplines.
• Committed to democratic socialism and its values (and identifies with and are committed to the democratic socialism and its values).
• Enrolment at a state or state-recognised higher education institution in Germany or abroad.
• Supervision by a university lecturer in Germany.
• Very good graduate degree.
• Social engagement in line with the values of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.
• Proficiency in German at a B2 level at least (proof required).
• Eligible candidates have not been in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application (applies unless they have already studied in Germany or began their doctorate or research stay in Germany more than 15 months ago).
• Priority is given to applicants from DAC countries who are still residing in their country of origin at the time of application.
• To apply, the applicant’s status and/or country must be included in the list; otherwise they cannot apply for this scholarship programme.

• Monthly grant: 1,500 EUR.
• Mobility allowance: 100 EUR.
• Further lump sum: 20 EUR.

1. Use the application portal to submit an application; the page notes that use of the portal is possible only to a limited extent with mobile devices and recommends using a desktop computer.
2. Select your status and your country to enable submission of an application.

• Proof of German proficiency at B2 level at least.