Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Funding & Grants

Meta description: Clear guide to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin funding and grants for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students. Learn about the Deutschlandstipendium, Erasmus+ and PROMOS, STIBET completion support, Studierendenwerk emergency aid, and DAAD options, with official links.

Why this matters ✅

Berlin is affordable compared with many European capitals, but you will still need a plan for rent, health insurance, semester contributions, and study materials. HU provides several routes to reduce costs and keep your degree on track. Start at HU International to understand the overall landscape and estimate living expenses before you apply. HU Berlin International

Main funding routes at HU 🧭

• Deutschlandstipendium at HU: performance based support of 300 EUR per month for one year, open to all nationalities. Half is federal and half comes from private sponsors administered by HU. It can be held alongside BAföG in eligible cases. Check HU’s application window and selection criteria. Deutschlandstipendium
• Erasmus+ and PROMOS: for study or internships abroad when you are already enrolled at HU. Erasmus+ supports mobilities within Europe, while PROMOS covers short stays that are not funded by Erasmus+. Both schemes are coordinated by HU International with set categories, documents, and payment rules. HU Berlin International+1
• STIBET Completion Scholarships: short term aid for students and doctoral candidates in unexpected need who are close to finishing. Recent HU calls offered 900 EUR per month for up to three months for students or six months for doctoral candidates. HU Berlin International
• Doctoral funding: the university aggregates options and advising for PhD candidates through HU portals and the Humboldt Graduate School, including brochures that map fellowships and foundations. Humboldt University of Berlin
• Studierendenwerk Berlin: emergency grants, bridging loans, and long term scholarship counselling, delivered by the citywide student services office. HU links to these services for case specific advice. stw.berlin+1
• DAAD scholarship database: the national search engine for Germany based funding. Filter by origin country, field, and level to find multi month scholarships, research stays, and language course support. DAAD

Who qualifies and how to choose 🎯

• Academic excellence matters for the Deutschlandstipendium and many foundations. Also highlight leadership, community engagement, or special achievements. Deutschlandstipendium
• Mobility goals drive Erasmus+ and PROMOS decisions. If your stay is inside Europe and part of an Erasmus agreement, start with Erasmus+. If it is a short non Erasmus stay, consider PROMOS. HU Berlin International+1
• Progress to degree is key for STIBET completion support. Be ready to document timing, need, and a realistic finish plan. HU Berlin International
• Doctoral candidates should combine HU Graduate School information with DAAD and foundation calls, then align the proposal and timeline with the funder’s scope. Humboldt University of Berlin+1

Application timeline and workflow ⏱️

1. Map your status: degree level, nationality, fee status, and whether you are an exchange or full degree student. This determines which HU and national schemes apply. Start with HU International’s finances overview. HU Berlin International
2. Shortlist two to four awards: for example, Deutschlandstipendium plus a mobility grant or a completion scholarship if relevant. Save pages and deadlines. Deutschlandstipendium+1
3. Prepare core documents: CV, transcript, proof of enrollment or admission, a focused motivation statement, and (where required) evidence of financial situation or special circumstances. PROMOS and STIBET list their own forms and payment rules. HU Berlin International+1
4. Apply on time: most schemes have fixed windows each year. Ask referees early and upload complete, clearly named PDFs.
5. Layer external aid: if university funds are partial, consider DAAD lines and Studierendenwerk loans or emergency aid in short term hardship. DAAD+1

Tips for a strong statement 📝

• Lead with fit: name your HU program or research group and the skills you will bring to Berlin.
• Show evidence: grades, projects, internships, or outreach.
• Quantify impact: describe concrete results you will deliver with the funding and how it enables timely completion.
• Keep it clean: one to two pages, headings that mirror the award criteria, and proofread for clarity.

Program and faculty pages worth a look 🔎

Several HU departments compile their own funding notes and examples. For instance, Social Sciences lists DAAD scholarships tied to the German Turkish master’s track and a broader page of scholarships during studies. These pages illustrate how program specific funding can complement central schemes. sowi.hu-berlin.de+1

Budget reality in Berlin 🏠

Even when tuition is low, plan for rent, insurance, transportation, and semester contributions. HU’s “Planning finances for Berlin” page gives a sensible starting point and links to additional support. If a gap opens mid semester, contact Studierendenwerk Social Counselling for emergency aid or a bridging loan. HU Berlin International+1