Haniel Scholarship Program 2027/28: Up to €48,500 for International Master’s Studies

Haniel Scholarship Program 2027/28 for International Master’s Studies

The Haniel Scholarship Program is aimed at outstanding young personalities from all academic disciplines who demonstrate excellent academic performance, social commitment, and entrepreneurial ambition. The program supports students with a strong team and community orientation who pursue the goal of actively shaping society through value-based entrepreneurial action.

The core of the scholarship program is qualifying for entrepreneurial responsibility, whether in family businesses, social entrepreneurship, or founding new companies. The funding bridges the gap between scientific theory and practical entrepreneurial reality by combining an advanced study program with a relevant practical internship.

What to Expect as a Haniel Scholar

Scholars benefit from individually customizable funding that connects business-related academic deepening with international and practical company experience. You will have the opportunity to combine studies abroad with a practical stay, gaining new professional, cultural, and entrepreneurial perspectives.

Scholars are also accepted into the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation) and the network of the Haniel Foundation. Through the non-material support program of both organizations, spaces are created for personal and professional development, reflection, and long-term networking.

Eligible Study Projects

The Haniel Scholarship Program funds advanced study programs, usually a Master’s degree, undertaken abroad that lead to an internationally recognized degree. The program must build upon your previous academic background while maintaining a clear connection to business and entrepreneurship.

The funding duration is a minimum of two and a maximum of four semesters, including a subject-relevant internship of up to three months. The maximum funding duration is 22 months. The organization of the study project and stay, such as visas and accommodation, is the responsibility of the scholar.

Please note that only complete study programs abroad are funded. You cannot apply for a single semester abroad if you are completing your degree at a university in Germany. If you have already started your Master’s program abroad, you can apply for the second year of a four-semester program.

Scholarship Benefits

Non-Material Support

Admission to the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes including access to their non-material support program
Admission to a global network of current and former Haniel Scholars
Preparatory kick-off networking event at the Haniel Campus in Duisburg before the start of the funded study period
Invitation to annual alumni meetings, alternating between Berlin and Duisburg
A direct contact person in the office of the Studienstiftung

Financial Support

A one-time travel cost lump sum of 1,000 EUR at the beginning of the funding
A one-time start-up grant of 500 EUR at the beginning of the funding
A monthly abroad scholarship of 2,300 EUR
A tuition fee subsidy of up to 10,000 EUR per academic year

Compatibility with Other Scholarships

The Haniel Scholarship is compatible with other scholarships, such as the DAAD scholarship for studying abroad. For study projects with high tuition fees, you are expected to seek additional funding opportunities. Please note that if you receive multiple scholarships, the benefits may be offset against each other to prevent over-financing.

Eligibility Criteria

You can apply if you belong to one of the following categories:

Applicants from all disciplines planning a business-related study project abroad lasting two to four semesters leading to an internationally recognized degree
Applicants for their first or maximum second Master’s degree, studied full-time, leading to an internationally recognized degree
Applicants with proven interest in economic issues, which can be demonstrated through a thematic focus in studies, relevant work experience or internships, own business startups, or volunteer work with a relevant subject connection
Applicants with an excellently completed university or applied sciences degree (at least a Bachelor’s). The Bachelor’s degree must be obtained by the start of the funding at the latest and must have been completed at a state or state-recognized university in Germany, the European Union, or Switzerland
Applicants whose last university degree, according to the date on the graduation certificate, is no more than five years old as of the application deadline on October 15

Additionally, scholars must meet the criteria for a scholarship from the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, which includes a joy in intellectual challenges, genuine interest in exchange with other cultures, perseverance, curiosity, and a willingness to take on social responsibility.

Non-German Citizens

Students without German citizenship can apply if they acquired their university entrance qualification in Germany or at a German school abroad, are treated as equal to Germans according to the conditions of §8 BAföG, or are citizens of an EU state or Switzerland and obtained their last university degree in Germany.

Application Process and Required Documents

Please fill out the application portfolio document available on the program website and follow the instructions in the FAQ document carefully. Your application must be submitted as a PDF attachment via email to [email protected]. No postal mailing is required.

Applications to the desired universities abroad and preparations for the internship are entirely the responsibility of the applicants. After a pre-selection, promising candidates will be invited to a selection seminar taking place in mid-March in Duisburg. Physical attendance at this seminar is a mandatory requirement for admission to the scholarship program.

Required Documents

Only applications containing all of the following documents are considered complete:

Fully completed application form
Detailed narrative curriculum vitae
Tabular curriculum vitae
Copy of all pages of your high school diploma (Abiturzeugnis)
Copies of all university degree certificates; if the degree certificate is not yet available, a current transcript of records issued by the examination office
Motivation letter
List outlining your proven interest in economic issues along with corresponding evidence
Two academic references, which must be sent directly by your referees via email to the Studienstiftung

Applications that are incomplete by the application deadline will be excluded from the process. The responsibility for submitting all required documents, including the references, lies entirely with the applicant.

Information Events

The Studienstiftung offers digital information events featuring a presentation of the scholarship program and sufficient time for questions and exchange with former and current scholars. Registration is not required.

Digital Information Event I: Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 18:00 – 19:30
Digital Information Event II: Monday, September 7, 2026, 18:00 – 19:30