The SBW Berlin Scholarship is a unique opportunity for international students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. This scholarship is designed to support young people who are already involved in social work and want to further their education in Germany. By helping them gain valuable skills and knowledge during their studies, the scholarship aims to empower these students to create and develop social or non-profit projects in their home countries once they graduate.
Whether pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Berlin or Potsdam, students from various fields—such as science, social studies, and the arts—can benefit from this program. In some cases, the scholarship also offers support for vocational training. The SBW Berlin Scholarship focuses on applicants’ commitment to social causes and their motivation to continue this work after their studies. This sets the foundation for their ongoing efforts to bring positive change to their home communities.
SBW Berlin Scholarship
The SBW Berlin Scholarship provides full support for living expenses during the study period, up to the maximum duration of the program. The scholarship includes:
- A furnished room in a shared student apartment at Rudower Str. 67, 12351 Berlin
- A monthly cost-of-living allowance of 480 euros
- Coverage of tuition fees (if fees are higher than the national average, the student may need to pay part of the cost.) – This shows that you should make sure the college you’re applying to does not have a tuition higher than the national average.
- A possible travel contribution for the journey to Berlin before the course begins and the journey home after completing the program
Scholarship payments begin after the recipient has moved into the student apartment. Part-time jobs are generally not allowed by SBW Berlin.
The SBW Berlin Scholarship provides funding for a minimum of 30 days and up to a maximum of 48 months, depending on the standard study period of the program. Funding is reviewed and granted on a periodic basis, usually for the upcoming semester. Before each semester ends, SBW Berlin checks if the student meets the requirements for continued support. These requirements include successfully completing most academic courses, showing progress in their social project (such as providing a project report), and continuing to meet the selection criteria. Once the regular study period ends, no further funding is available.
There are 20 scholarship places available, and only as many scholarships are awarded each semester as there are vacancies. SBW Berlin can end funding if a student fails or postpones two compulsory exams, with the condition that the repeat exam must be taken in the next available exam period. Funding can also be terminated if the student fails to meet the goals set for their social project or misuses the funds. In such cases, the student must repay the scholarship amount in 12 monthly installments, starting 3 months after the end of the funding period.
The scholarship typically covers only the duration of the student’s studies in Germany. After completing the course or funding period, recipients have two options:
- Return to their home country: They must work on their social project for at least 18 months in cooperation with a local non-profit organization or social institution. In this case, there is no need to repay the scholarship.
- Stay in Germany: If they choose to stay, they must repay the financial benefits of the scholarship. The repayment plan, which was agreed upon and notarized, requires them to start repaying in 12 monthly installments, beginning 3 months after the end of the study or funding period.
Who Can Apply?
The SBW Berlin Scholarship is open to foreign nationals from countries that need development assistance, particularly in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Applicants must have or plan to have a student visa for Germany or a residence permit for studying in Germany. However, students who are already receiving funding from another scholarship cannot apply, except for those receiving assistance under the Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG). In such cases, the scholarship amount will be adjusted according to the BAföG allowance.
As a rule, young people who are already proactively involved in social causes and can demonstrate a strong motivation to develop or continue social projects so that these projects can support people in need are eligible to apply. There should be a general benefit for society. Applicants can apply for undergraduate or graduate programs.
Application Requirements
To apply for the SBW Berlin Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Have professional or volunteer experience in the non-profit or social sector, proven by a letter of recommendation from a social institution.
- Must not have stayed in Germany for more than 18 months before applying. If they have, their financial need and cooperation with an organization in their home country will be closely reviewed.
- Be qualified for university entrance.
- Plan to work in their home country for at least 18 months after graduation or engage in non-profit work until the repayment plan is fulfilled.
- Have a relatively low net income, meaning their total household income does not exceed the average income stated for their home country. This includes all sources of income from household members.
- Have average grades that correspond to a German grade point average of at least 2.0 (Usually equivalent to B+ or higher, Upper Second Class, or 80% or higher).
- Have no first-degree family members permanently residing in Germany. “First-degree family members” refers to your closest relatives: parents, siblings, and children. This statement means that you don’t have any immediate family members (parents, siblings, or children) who are living in Germany on a long-term or permanent basis.
- Apply before starting university education or be fully enrolled in the first, second, or maximum third semester at a state-recognized university (in Germany or abroad). Those applying for a master’s degree should do so shortly before or after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Applications that do not meet all these requirements will not be considered.
From Our Channel
Documents Required
Only complete applications will be considered, and the following documents must be submitted:
- Letter of recommendation from a non-profit organization, social institution, or one of SBW Berlin’s partner organizations (submitted by email)
- Application form (a link will be provided to outstanding applicants by SBW Berlin after review)
- Project description (2 to 5 pages). For more details about the project description – Click this Link.
- Proof of qualification for university entrance
- Information about net household income
- Copy of the latest school or university certificate showing your grade point average and a grade overview
- Copy of your highest academic degree (high school diploma or university certificate) with a grade overview
If available, you should also include copies of:
- Admission letter from a university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin or Potsdam
- Internationally recognized language certificate for the language in which your studies will be taught
- All previously obtained university certificates and records of achievements (both graded and ungraded)
- Certificates and references from previous work, training, apprenticeship, and internships
Additionally, although not mandatory, it is recommended to include:
- One or two letters of recommendation from professors, teachers, or employers
- Evidence of net household income
All application materials, certificates, and supporting documents must be in German or English. If any documents are in another language, you must provide a translation into German or English. Non-certified copies and simple translations are sufficient for the initial application, but certified copies may be required later during the verification process.
Selection Criteria
The selection of SBW Berlin Scholarship recipients is based on several key criteria. First, applicants must demonstrate a proven collaboration with a non-profit or social organization in their home country. Financial need is also a significant factor, particularly for those who meet the requirements of the German Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG) or whose household income is below the average income for their home country.
In addition to financial need, applicants must show strong intellectual abilities and the potential to meet the academic demands of their chosen program. The selection committee also looks for candidates whose personality and social commitment align with the goals of the scholarship, both during and after their studies. The evaluation also includes an assessment of the applicant’s proposed non-profit or social project, with the possibility of additional financial support for project implementation decided on a case-by-case basis.
Verification Process
After being selected for the SBW Berlin Scholarship, applicants must undergo a verification process where additional documents are required. These include a copy of their passport with a recent photo, a student visa or residence permit for studying in Germany, evidence of net household income, and an evaluation report converting grades to the German system. If applicable, updated school or university certificates and all relevant university records, work, training, and internship certificates must also be submitted.
Applicants must also provide legalized copies of their highest academic qualification if obtained from a foreign institution and a copy of an internationally recognized language certificate for the study language. During this process, the final details of the applicant’s social project are agreed upon and included in the scholarship contract.
Application Process
There are no application or processing fees for the SBW Berlin Scholarship, and applications are accepted all year round – This means that you can apply at any time in a year.
To apply, you must provide proof of your social commitment. This is done by having a non-profit organization or social institution submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf as a PDF to application@sbw.berlin. If your application shows promise, you will be granted access to the application form.
The application form for all three types of scholarships is only available on the online application portal of SBW Berlin and is only shared as a link. Please note that a letter of recommendation or a letter of motivation is required first. Only after a careful examination of this letter will outstanding applicants be granted access to the online application portal. Detailed information on the application process can be found in the relevant guidelines.
