Funding Opportunities
Before starting an academic study program, it’s important to consider how to finance your studies. While working part-time as a student assistant at the university or in a company is always an option, there are many other funding opportunities available. Here, we highlight a few of them.
Fellowships & Scholarships
Master Fellowship Programme
The Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) offers a Master Fellowship Programme for outstanding applicants and students of the M.Sc. programs Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration, Neuroscience or Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine.
Funding & Benefits:
- €992 per month for up to 1.5 years
- Mentorship by a Principal Investigator from CGA’s internationally renowned faculty
- Participation in advisory meetings and research group activities of your mentor
- Employment contract for the Master thesis project within the mentor’s research group
Please note: Applying for the Master program (via KLIPS) and the Master Fellowship (via the CGA website) are separate processes. Both applications are due by July, 15th each year.
Deutschland-Stipendium
The University of Cologne offers the Deutschland-Stipendium - a scholarship program for German and international students with outstanding academic performance. The scholarship is funded by private sponsors topped up by the German federal government.
Funding & Benefits:
- €300 per month for at least two semesters
- Opportunity to connect with their sponsors and build valuable professional networks
Please note: The application period takes place in August for the following winter semester.
Helmut-Schönenkorb Scholarship
The Helmut-Schönenkorb-Foundation offers financial support for STEM students with financial need who demonstrate social engagement.
Funding & Benefits:
- Up to 200€ per month for one year (possibility of extension given)
- Funding will not be counted towards BAföG funds
Applications for the winter semester are open until August 30. Applications for the summer semester are open until February 28.
More Scholarship Options
More scholarships can be found via the DAAD Scholarship Database - offering an comprehensive overview of different scholarship programmes, taking into account your country of origin and your subject area. Please note that the requirements can be very different, but mostly, the deciding factor is academic performance instead of financial need.
If you are an international student already looking for scholarship opportunities in your home country, you could consult a DAAD office abroad or the German Embassy / Consulate.
Master's thesis funding
Funding for Study Stays, Internships & Thesis Work abroad
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences provides a financial support programme for students pursuing study stays, internships or thesis work abroad (outside Germany) for 1 to 4 months. Eligible students can receive up to €600:
- €300 for the first month
- €100 for each additional month (up to month four)
Eligibility: ONLY to students not receiving other funding (e.g., Erasmus, PROMOS).
Köln Fortune
The Faculty of Medicine offers the Köln Fortune programme - a dedicated funding that supports student research projects.
Students conducting their Master's thesis within a research group at the Faculty of Medicine may apply for funding line 1b. The funding covers the duration of the thesis project (6 months) and is based on the current funding rates of the DFG (German Research Foundation).
Eligibility: ONLY available to Master's students conducting their thesis in a research group of the Faculty of Medicine!
More Funding Opportunities
More funding opportunities for your studies in Germany (student loans, BAföG etc.) or abroad (Erasmus+, PROMOS etc.) can be found on the Website of the International Office.
Would you like a more personal counselling?
For students of the University of Cologne, there is an Individual Scholarship Counselling Service. Please note that these appointments are highly demanded and fastly booked out.