Ways of funding

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A semester abroad usually represents an additional financial burden. There will be travel costs and study fees if you go abroad as a so-called free mover. The lease cost and cost of living is often higher in the host country than in Germany. The easiest way to spend a semester abroad is to take part in an exchange program of the School of Business and Economics or the University of Münster. This way you do not have to pay any tuition/enrolment fees or these can be greatly reduced. 

Here you will find a selection of grants and scholarships.

  • ERASMUS+

    If you want to study abroad via the ERASMUS program, you have to apply for a place at a partner university at the IRC. Requirements are that you are enrolled at the University of Münster, have already studied here for at least one year and meet the language requirements for the target country (at least level B1). Participants in the ERASMUS program must achieve between 18-30 ECTS at the host university and, in the best case, have all courses at University of Münster credited. You can find more information about application here.

    Funding is available for 4 months / 120 days per semester abroad (max. 2 semesters), depending on the country.

    Fundings as of Winter Term 2022/23:
    Group 1 = (exp.) 600,00 € monthly: Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden
    Group 2 = (exp.) 540,00 € per month: Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
    Group 3 = (exp.) 540,00 € monthly: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Hungary

    As of the Winter Terms 2022/23 possibilities of  Special Fundings will be available within the ERASMUS+Fundings. To apply for such a Special Funding, you already have to set the right checkmarks at the ERASMUS-registration (you will receive the corresponding link from the IRC with your letter of acceptance). 

    Students who have already received ERASMUS funding in their Bachelor's degree program can also apply for a second place in their Master's and/or doctoral studies. This period of time is to be counted towards the total possible funding period of 12 months per study phase.

    More information on mobility grants and special funding can be found on the website of the International Office, which administers the ERASMUS programme centrally.

    Switzerland: Students who have been awarded a place at a host university in Switzerland automatically participate in the "Swiss-European Mobility" program. The amount of funding depends on the host university and is approximately 400€/month. PROMOS application is excluded for the stay in Switzerland.

  • PROMOS

    Within the framework of the PROMOS mobility program, the DAAD provides funding for stays abroad by German students. In principle, study-related projects can be funded worldwide. The maximum funding period is six months.

    For budgetary reasons, the School of Business and Economics limits the awarding of scholarships to one of the program lines of the PROMOS program. These are monthly partial scholarships for study visits to partner universities. Unfortunately, travel expenses and tuition fees cannot be covered. The amount of the scholarship depends on the scholarship rate of the country as well as on the approved length of stay and ranges between ~1,000-1,500€ per student and stay.

    The following conditions must be met:

    • It is a study visit (duration: 1 semester or 1 term) for the purpose of taking courses at the IRC partner university. Participants in the PROMOS program must complete between 18-30 ECTS at the host university and, in the best case, receive credit for all courses taken at EMU.
    • The host institution is a partner university in a non-European country.
    • You have applied for the partner university in the IRC, have already received an acceptance from the IRC and do not receive Erasmus or Swiss European Mobility funding.
    • Students who have not been previously funded by a scholarship will be given priority in the awarding process.

    For study visits to departmental partner universities, scholarships are provided from the faculty's own PROMOS budget. Scholarships for study visits within the framework of university partnerships are funded from the PROMOS budget of the central International Office.

    Here you can find the results of the PROMOS selection rounds. If you have further questions, please contact the outgoing coordinator of the School of Business ans Economics.

    Applications are made centrally via the International Office of the University of Münster. You can find detailed information on the call for applications here.

    Selection criteria:

    • Academic performance (weighted with 50%)
    • Letter of motivation (weighted with 20%)
    • Extracurricular activities such as internships and volunteer work (weighted with 20%)
    • Knowledge of the language of instruction or the language of the country (weighted with 10%)

    Requirements for the content of the PROMOS motivation letter (in German or English; ci 1-3 pages):

    • Aim of the stay
    • Justification for the selection of the host university and the host country
    • Information on and justification for the course selection at the host university
    • Statement of the added value of the stay abroad in relation to the individual course of studies

  • Grant for studying abroad (Auslands-BAFöG)

    Like domestic BAföG, foreign BAföG also depends on the financial circumstances of the parents. However, more generous assessment limits apply here, so that you can receive foreign BAföG even if you are not entitled to recieve BAföG in Germany. You must meet the following funding requirements in order to apply:

    • As a Free Mover, you must have studied in Germany for at least one year (this condition does not apply to exchange programs).
    • The duration of study at the target university must be at least three months if you go abroad as an intern or within the framework of an exchange program, and at least six months if you organize your studies abroad independently.
    • You must be able to provide evidence of sufficient knowledge of the national language or language of instruction.

    International supplements for countries outside the EU

    International supplements for countries outside the EU
    For a stay abroad in countries outside the EU, the domestic BAföG is topped up by a foreign allowance which, depending on the destination country, amounts to between € 60 and € 450 and does not have to be repaid. In addition, tuition fees of up to €4,600 per year are reimbursed, as well as a disturbance allowance and a subsidy for any necessary international health insurance. For stays in EU countries, only the tuition fees, travel expenses and health insurance are subsidised, foreign supplements are not paid.

    The application process

    For each destination country, a specific BAföG office in Germany is responsible for your application for international BAföG. If you want to make sure that the grant is available to you from the first month abroad, you must apply for Auslands-BAföG no later than six months before your stay abroad begins. However, since you often do not have all the documents required for the application six months before the beginning of your stay abroad, this is often not feasible. For this reason, you can submit the application at shorter notice, but then you will receive the grant at a correspondingly later date due to a rather long processing time (e.g. as additional payment for the months you are already abroad). You can find more information on the BAföG office pages.

  • DAAD scholarships for a full academic year

    The largest institution for awarding scholarships abroad is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The DAAD is a joint institution of German universities and promotes international relations in the academic field through the exchange of students and scientists and through international programs and projects.  On the DAAD website you will also find a scholarship database.

    The best known scholarships for German students are the one-year scholarships. In addition, there are a variety of special programs, depending on subject, academic qualification and target country. An overview of all DAAD scholarships can be found in the annual brochure "Study, Research, Teaching Abroad. Funding opportunities for Germans". This brochure is available free of charge from the International Office of the University of Münster or you can download it here.

    Scholarships are awarded on the basis of personal aptitude and academic achievement and are mainly funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In order for your DAAD application to have a chance of success, you should be able to show good academic performance and, in particular, be able to give a very good account of your study project and your personal motivation. You can compensate for less good academic performance by preparing your study project particularly carefully and coherently. Social and socio-political commitment are also factors that are important when applying. Do not be put off by gloomy predictions about the success rate: What really matters here is the quality of your application, your personal motivation and your preparation! You can find more information on the DAAD's pages on studying abroad.

     

    Programme d'Études en France (PEF)

    It is aimed at German students in their second Bachelor's year for whom French plays an important role and enables them to spend their first study period in France. There are four French partner universities to choose from (Université de Picardie Jules Verne (Amiens), Université de Lille, Université de Nantes or Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès).  

    The programme enables students to improve practice and knowledge of French language and culture. In addition to the subjects studied, the study visit includes language tandems between German and French students, a cultural framework programme and initial insights into professional fields of work. 

    Applications are open to students of Romance studies, intercultural (France-related) and European studies, linguistics with French as a first foreign language, or law or economics. The funding period is one semester and includes a monthly partial scholarship instalment of 450€. Students are also exempt from tuition fees at the French university and receive health, accident and personal liability insurance benefits. In addition, the PEF provides educational and logistical support for the students. The host university assists with the accommodation of the students.

    Further information on the application can be found here.

  • Grants of the School of Business and Economics

    Marketing Alumni

    To promote intercultural exchange and empirical research at the Marketing Center Münster, Marketing Alumni Münster e.V. supports students each semester by awarding various scholarships:

    Outgoing Scholarship: In order to do justice to the international orientation of studies at the MCM, one student of the Marketing Master's program receives an outgoing scholarship of 1,000 euros per semester for a semester abroad. Further information on the application and awarding of the scholarship can be found in the call for applications.

    Outgoing Scholarship Double Master: In addition, each year one student of the Double Master program with the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen receives an outgoing scholarship for a year abroad as part of the Double Master program. The scholarship holder sponsored by Marketing Alumni Münster e.V. will receive a one-off grant of 2,000 euros. Further information on the application and awarding of the scholarship can be found in the call for applications.

    Funding for empirical theses: In addition, Marketing Alumni Münster supports 20 empirical theses at the MCM each semester with 100 euros each. The funding contributions are intended to incentivize participation in survey-based theses. In addition to further information on the application requirements, you will find the application form below.

    You can find more information on the association's website.

     

    AlumniUM e.V.

    Outgoing scholarship for double degree programs with the University of Twente: The funding for this outgoing scholarship for students of double degree programs with the University of Twente amounts to 500€ to 1,500€. You can find more information on the association's website.

  • Grants of the University of Münster

    Fulbright Scholarship for studies in the USA

    Among other things, the Fulbright Commission awards full, partial and travel scholarships to German Bachelor (BA) and Master (MA) students for study visits to the USA as well as scholarships for PhD students for research stays in the USA. The Fulbright scholarships are open to students of all faculties, but there are restrictions or special conditions for the Master of Business Administration, among others. Applications must be submitted online and in paper form. Students who are enrolled at WWU at the time of application should submit their application to the International Office, for the attention of Petra Hille. Graduates and applicants who are studying abroad and are no longer enrolled at WWU should send their application directly to the Fulbright Commission in Berlin. Application information and application documents are now available on the Fulbright Commission's website.

    Applications for the academic year 2024/2025 can be submitted until February 01, 2024. Further information on application can be found here.

    Student research projects

    The support programme "Student Research Projects" offers students the opportunity to carry out (their first) own research projects during their studies!

    This could be a research stay at another institute in Germany or abroad or independently organized scientific events such as conferences or summer schools. The Rectorate of WWU provides up to 5,000.00 euros for individual projects. It is important, among other things, that your projects are distinguished from final theses and other academic achievements. The age limit is 27 years. Applications are open to enrolled students of all courses of study at University of Münster!

    The next deadline for applications is 24.02.2024. You can find more information here.

  • Further scholarship

    ERP and McCLOY scholarships for studies in the USA

    The aim of both programmes is to strengthen transatlantic understanding and to promote highly qualified young professionals for the public sector. The programs are financed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy from funds of the ERP special fund. While the McCloy Scholarship Program supports master's degree projects at the Harvard Kennedy School, the ERP Program supports study and research projects at all top US universities. Both programs are aimed at excellent graduates of all subjects who hold at least a bachelor's degree. Financial support in both scholarship programs includes the following benefits:

    • Tuition fees: ERP max. 25,000 USD; McCloy 56,000 USD
    •  Monthly Living Scholarship: 1,900 USD
    • Travel allowance: 1,000 USD
    • Entry fee: 500 USD

    Once a year a meeting is held in Washington D.C. for the students in both programs. Inclusion in the programs is also accompanied by admission to the German National Academic Foundation.
    The application deadline is 1st October (ERP) or 1st November (McCloy) of each year.

     

    China Scholarship Programme of the German National Academic Foundation and the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation

    10 scholarships are awarded for a one-year language, study and internship stay in the People's Republic of China.

    The China Scholarship Programme offers students the opportunity to acquire a sound knowledge of the Chinese language and society as well as university and scientific knowledge during a one-year stay in China. The financial support during the stay in China includes a monthly living allowance of 1,000 €, travel grants, a preparation and a mobility allowance. Inclusion in the programme is accompanied by admission to the German National Academic Foundation. After their return from China, the scholarship holders will continue to be supported by the Studienstiftung. Further information can be found here.

     

    Rhodes Scholarship

    Scholarships from the Rhodes Trust enable students with above-average performance and at the same time versatile commitment to pursue a further course of study (Master or Doctorate) at Oxford University. The scholarship is currently awarded each year to over 100 students from numerous countries. In Germany two scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarship covers all tuition fees as well as living expenses for one to three year courses. Further information on application can be found here.

     

    Addison Wheeler Scholarship

    The Addison Wheeler Scholarship at Durham University is designed to give young scientists with outstanding prospects three years to pursue original ideas, free from teaching and administrative responsibilities. Our fellows help us to build international networks of scholars with a shared passion for today's most important research challenges. Further information on application can be found here. 

     

    "Experience Japan" 2020

    The scholarship application for this year's Japan program of the study center for German Japanese culture exchange in NRW e. V. is provided in cooperation with the foundation "Studienfonds Düsseldorf - Japan". This year, the four-week programme will provide up to 6 young people interested in Japan with first insights into Japanese culture and economy within the framework of a study trip and short internship. Further information on the scholarship can be found here.

     

    Mercator Kolleg for international tasks

    Work during the -month program the Fellows work in two to three international conferences organizations, NGOs, think tanks or companies worldwide on a project topic of their choice. Seminars on topics of international cooperation and Soft Skills trainings round off the program. Further information on the scholarship can be found here.

     

    Dalian University of Technology: Scholarship for Exchange Students 

    Dalian University of Technology (DUT) is a national key university administrated directly under the Ministry of Education of China. It has developed its international education and has established stable long-term cooperation with 251 well-known overseas universities and research institutions in 35 countries and regions. DUT has the opportunity to award scholarships to BA/MA and PhD students studying at DUT for a minimum of three months.

    More information about the scholarship can be found here.

    Students of the School of Business and Economics must first apply for the exchange place at the host university. You can find information about the application process here.

     

    Studienstiftung: Scholarship Program "Metropolises in Eastern Europe

    The Studienstiftung will award full scholarships for study visits to Eastern Europe. The program is aimed at students and is funded by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation.
    The "Metropolises in Eastern Europe" scholarship program enables individual research and study stays as well as practical semesters in combination with language courses and internships. Unusual projects away from established academic paths are welcome. Funding is provided for stays in the countries of Eastern, Central and Southeastern Europe or the post-Soviet region lasting at least seven months and no longer than four semesters.
    Scholarship holders of the Metropolitan Program can receive funds for living expenses, tuition fees and travel expenses. In addition, the scholarship provides the opportunity to participate in intensive language courses and exchange with other grantees and alumni of the program.
    The offer is also open to students who are not yet Studienstiftung scholars. Students who have had little or no previous contact with Eastern European countries can also apply. The scholarship is open to students of all subjects - except art, design, music and film. After returning from Eastern Europe, program participants will continue to receive support from the Studienstiftung until they graduate.
    For more information on the program, application procedures, and interviews with program alumni, please visit: www.studienstiftung.de/osteuropa.

  • PhD - Scholarships

    Fulbright Study Scholarship for studying in the USA

     German students and alumni:ae of all disciplines who would like to study for one or two semesters at the graduate school of a US university can apply for a four to nine-month Fulbright Study Scholarship. Selection criteria are, in addition to good academic performance, social commitment and the potential to engage in transatlantic relations. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree or at least 6 successfully completed semesters of study in degree programs leading to a Diplom, Magister or First State Examination at the time of starting the scholarship. The application phase for the academic year 2024/25 is closed. Information on how to apply for the 2025/26 academic year will be available here  from spring 2024.

    The scholarship provides up to $34,500 in financial support for nine months of study ($15,300 for four months) at a graduate school in the U.S., plus guidance and mentoring from Fulbright Germany and its U.S. partners, and inclusion in the global Fulbright network.

     

    PhD students scholarship of the GOstralia! Research Centres

    In cooperation with seven renowned universities in Australia, the GOstralia! Research Centre offers a total of 16 exclusive PhD scholarships. The full scholarships cover the tuition fees for the complete three-year PhD studies in Australia as well as the cost of living and health insurance. Further information can be found here.

     

    JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (short-term)

    In cooperation with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the program aims to enable highly qualified young German researchers and doctoral candidates to spend a short period of time at universities and selected research institutions in Japan. Funding is available for research projects at universities and selected research institutions in Japan.

    Applications are open to postdocs and doctoral students of all disciplines.

    An application for the period October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 is possible until January 31, 2024.

    An application for the period January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 is possible until April 30, 2024.

    Applications for the period from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 can be submitted until July 31, 2024.

     You can find further information on application here.