Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Scholarship 2026 [Fully Funded]

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Scholarship Program 2026 offers fully funded opportunities for international students, including those from Ethiopia, to pursue Master's and PhD degrees in Germany. It also supports Bachelor's students who have already completed at least two semesters at a German university. The scholarship is awarded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. (KAS), one of Germany's political foundations, and aims to support talented, socially engaged individuals passionate about democracy, human rights, and social responsibility. Scholars benefit from financial support, personal mentorship, career guidance, and an international network.

This is a fully funded scholarship. Master's students receive a monthly stipend of up to €992 for up to two years (four semesters). Doctoral candidates receive a monthly stipend of up to €1,400 for up to three years. Additional benefits include a health insurance subsidy (up to €120 per month), a family allowance of €276 per month (if the spouse lives in Germany for over three months and their monthly income does not exceed €450), a child allowance of €250 per month per child (with proper documentation), research travel grants for academic trips abroad, and partial tuition fee reimbursement for university course-related fees (up to €1,500 per semester). Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees.

Applicants must be international students with strong academic performance and social engagement. Ethiopian students are explicitly eligible, alongside those from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and Tanzania. For Master's applicants, a Bachelor's degree with strong academic results is required. For PhD applicants, a Master's degree (or equivalent) with outstanding academic performance is necessary. Bachelor's applicants must have successfully completed at least two semesters at a German university before applying. All applicants must intend to enroll in a four-semester program at a German university. A minimum B2 level of German language proficiency is mandatory, even for English-taught programs, demonstrated by acceptable certificates such as Goethe-Institut, TestDaF, DSH, or Telc (ONSet certificate is not accepted). Personal qualities required include a commitment to democracy, human rights, and social responsibility, active engagement in voluntary work or social activities, an interest in political and social issues, leadership potential, and a willingness to actively participate in KAS seminars, events, and alumni networks.

To apply, you will need the following documents: a completed application form (available on the KAS Campus Portal), a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting education, work experience, and volunteer activities, a motivation letter explaining your interest in the scholarship and commitment to democratic values, academic transcripts and certificates from all previous degrees, proof of German language proficiency (minimum B2 level certificate), proof of university admission from a German university (if already available), two letters of recommendation from professors or academic supervisors, a valid passport copy, proof of social engagement (certificates, letters, or descriptions of volunteer work), and a research proposal (for doctoral applicants only). All documents must be uploaded in PDF format through the KAS Campus Portal.

1. Check your eligibility against the academic, language, and social engagement criteria. 2. Prepare all required documents, ensuring your German language certificate is valid and recommendation letters are secured. 3. Access the KAS Campus Portal at http://campus.kas.de. 4. Create a user account by filling out the registration form and activating it via a confirmation email. 5. Log in and complete the application form, filling in all personal, academic, and contact details thoroughly. 6. Upload all required documents in PDF format, ensuring they are clear, readable, and meet file size/format requirements. 7. Review all information for accuracy and completeness before submitting your application. 8. Submit your application before the deadline. The KAS selection process involves multiple levels, including written and oral assessments, with shortlisted candidates invited to selection conferences (Auswahltage).

The application process is free of charge. It is highly recommended to start preparing early, especially for the German language requirement (B2), which takes time to achieve. Emphasize your social engagement and leadership roles in your application. Craft a compelling motivation letter that clearly articulates your commitment to democratic values. Ensure your recommendation letters are strong and from individuals who know your abilities well. Proofread all documents carefully to avoid errors. Submit your application well before the deadline of July 15, 2026, to prevent any technical issues. Regional selection interviews for applicants from Ethiopia will be conducted in cooperation with the KAS foreign office in Nairobi in May 2026.