Short Answer: The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship 2025 is a fully funded scholarship in Germany for Master’s and PhD students from all over the world. It covers living costs, offers extra support like German language classes and workshops, and prioritizes students active in social/political work. The deadline to apply is April 1st or October 1st, 2025.
Have you ever dreamed of studying for your Master’s or PhD degree in Germany? Do you care about making the world a better place? Here’s some amazing news! The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (RLS) Scholarship for 2025 is now open for applications. This is a fantastic chance for bright students like you from any country to study in Germany with all your main costs covered. Let’s break down everything you need to know in simple terms.
Table of Contents
What is the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship?
The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (say it: Ro-za Look-sem-boorg Shtif-toong) is a well-known foundation in Germany. It believes in fairness, social justice, and giving everyone a chance. Their scholarship program helps international students just like you come to Germany to study for higher degrees.
The best part? It’s fully funded! This means the scholarship pays for the important things so you can focus on your studies.
Details About Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships 2025
- Host Country: Germany (Deutschland)
- Host Institute: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
- Award: Funded (Fully)
- Degree level: Masters & Ph.D. degree
- The course starts: Each year in April/Oct
- Deadline for Application: 1 Oct/1 April (Annual)
Who Pays for This Scholarship?
You don’t need to worry about finding the money yourself. The scholarship is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (called the Auswärtiges Amt). This government office provides the funds to the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung to run this program.
Scholarship Benefits
So, what exactly does “fully funded” mean for you? Here’s the support you get:
- Living Costs Grant: This is the main benefit. You get money every month to cover your basic needs like rent, food, transport, and health insurance while you study in Germany. You won’t need another job just to live.
- German Language Classes: If you need to learn German or get better at it, the foundation can pay for your language courses! This is a huge help for settling into life and studies in Germany.
- Important Note: The scholarship does NOT cover university tuition fees. However, many public universities in Germany have very low or even no tuition fees for international students, especially for PhD programs. You will need to check the fees for your specific university and program. The living grant is meant to cover your daily life costs.
Beyond the Money: Amazing Extra Support
The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship is special because it offers much more than just money. They really want their scholars to succeed and grow. They provide:
- Learning Events: Workshops and summer schools on important topics.
- Trips and Conferences: Chances to go on educational trips and attend conferences, both in Germany and sometimes in other countries.
- Skill Building: Practical training in really useful skills like:
- How to manage disagreements (conflict management)
- How to speak well in public (rhetoric)
- How to organize your time and yourself (self-management & time management)
- How to write better academic papers (text and writing workshops)
- How to do your research better (methodology seminars)
- Supportive Community: You’ll meet other scholars who care about similar things like social justice. It’s a great group to learn from and belong to.
This extra support helps you become not just a better student, but also a stronger person ready to make a difference.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
This scholarship is open to all international students from any country. But, to have a good chance, you need to meet these important requirements:
- You Must Be Applying For:
- A Master’s Degree (like MA, MSc, Diploma, State Examination) OR
- A PhD (Doctoral) Degree at a university in Germany.
- Language Skills:
- German: You need to be good at German! You must prove you have at least a B2 level on the Common European Framework (CEFR). This is important for studying and living in Germany.
- English: You also need to be able to use English well, as it’s often needed for studies and communication.
- Your Grades: You need to show you have done very well in your studies so far (above-average grades at school and/or university).
- Your Values Matter: The foundation cares about people who want to make society fairer. You need to show:
- Social/Political Activity: Proof that you are involved in social work, community service, or political activities. This is VERY important!
- Agreement with RLS Ideas: You should understand and agree with the main ideas and goals of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (like social justice and equality).
- Your Background: They especially want to help people who might face extra challenges. This includes:
- Women
- People who are the first in their family to go to university
- People who moved to Germany from another country (immigrants)
- People who don’t have a lot of money (socially needy)
- People with disabilities
- University Status:
- Master’s Applicants: You must already be accepted and enrolled in a Master’s program at a German university that is recognized by the government (state or state-recognized).
- PhD Applicants: You must already be accepted into a PhD program at a German university.
Programs and Courses Offered
You have a lot of freedom in choosing what to study!
- Degrees Covered: Master’s Degrees and PhD (Doctoral) Degrees.
- Subjects Covered: You can study almost any subject at these levels. However, there are a few exceptions: The scholarship does NOT support studies in Dentistry, Medicine, or Veterinary Medicine.
Also Check: Study In Italy: Fully Funded DSU Scholarship University of Milan
Target Groups
As mentioned before, the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung strongly encourages applications from:
- Women
- Students who are the first in their family to attend university (non-academic background)
- Students who have immigrated to Germany
- Students who face financial hardship (socially needy)
- Students with disabilities
If you belong to one or more of these groups and show strong commitment to social justice, you are especially encouraged to apply!
Scholarship Duration
The scholarship supports you for the usual time it takes to finish your degree:
- For Master’s Students: Up to a maximum of 3 years.
- For PhD Students: Up to a maximum of 4 years.
When is the Deadline?
This scholarship has two application deadlines every year. For the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship 2025, you must apply by:
- April 1st, 2025 (for courses starting the following October – Fall intake)
- October 1st, 2025 (for courses starting the following April – Spring intake)
Important: These deadlines are the same every year (annual deadlines). Apply early! Gathering all your documents takes time.
How Do You Apply?
The good news is that the application process is completely online. Here’s what you need to do:
- Visit the Official Website: This is the MOST important step. Go to the official Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung scholarship pages. Look for the “Scholarships” or “Stipendien” section. The website has detailed information in both German and English.
- Find the Application Portal: On their website, find the link to the online application system.
- Read the Instructions Carefully: Before you start, read all the guidelines and requirements. Make sure you understand what documents you need (like transcripts, language certificates, proof of your social/political work, letters of recommendation, a motivation letter).
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather everything you need. Make sure your German language certificate (proving B2 level or higher) is ready. Write a strong motivation letter explaining why you deserve the scholarship and how your goals match the RLS values.
- Fill Out the Online Form: Complete the application form carefully and honestly.
- Upload Your Documents: Attach all the required files in the correct format (usually PDF).
- Submit Before the Deadline: Hit the submit button well before the deadline (April 1st or October 1st, 2025) to avoid any last-minute problems.
- Crucial Reminder: Always double-check the official RLS scholarship website for the absolute latest information, the exact list of required documents, and the online application link. Things can sometimes change slightly.
