The International Office at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is awarding four-month scholarships for the 2026 summer semester, funded by the DAAD with support from the Federal Foreign Office (AA). The scholarships are intended to support international students and doctoral candidates who face particular individual challenges during their studies (Scholarship for Equal Opportunity) or who are particularly engaged in socio-political and/ or social issues in an international context (Scholarship for Exceptional Commitment).
To be eligible for this type of scholarship, personal challenges must be attributable to one or more of the following circumstances:
The scholarship provides financial support in the form of four monthly installments of €300 each (total €1,200). Funding begins in June 2026.
Application deadline: May 15, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.
Requirements:
Application documents:
Further information can be found in the call for applications under Files.
The complete application materials must be submitted electronically in a single PDF file to:
Dr. Heike Link
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must demonstrate that they are involved in international activities within the framework of an institution, an association, a non-governmental organisation or a higher education institution.
The scholarship provides financial support in the form of four monthly instalments of €300 each (totalling €1,200). The funding will commence in June 2026.
Application deadline: 15th May 2026 | 12:00 p.m.
Requirements:
• Enrolment in a degree programme or a PhD programme at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
• Residence in Germany during the summer semester of 2026
• Outstanding commitment in an international context
• Not a German citizen
• Demonstrable academic progress
Application documents:
The complete application documents must be submitted electronically as one PDF-file to:
Dr. Heike Link
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) administers the scholarship programme “Hilde Domin Programme” with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA). The programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe, who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their country of origin, and to provide these students and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to begin or complete a study or research degree at a higher education institution in Germany. The program is intended exclusively for prospective master’s and PhD students.
The students and doctoral candidates supported under the program receive a scholarship for a course of study of their personal choice and according to their individual qualifications, which covers the necessary costs of the study or research stay (a monthly scholarship rate of currently EUR 992 for Master's students and EUR 1,400 for doctoral students; health, nursing care, accident and personal liability insurance; a travel allowance based on the country of origin or current country of residence; participation in a German language course - two, four or six months - depending on the language skills acquired to date and the language skills required for the intended study or doctoral project; other additional benefits).
Potential candidates cannot apply for the scholarship program independently, but are nominated by the MLU (the IO takes over this task). To be eligible for the program, potential candidates must be able to prove or credibly demonstrate a threat to their personal well-being or safety (e.g. physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, etc.) and
Important note from the DAAD: A multiple nomination does not bring any advantages. One nomination per candidate is sufficient.
Further information on the program and nomination: www.daad.de/de/in-deutschland-studieren/stipendien/daad-foerderprogramme/hilde-domin-programm/
If you plan to begin your studies in the winter semester 2027/28, the following documents must be submitted by August 31, 2026:
Contact and nomination proposals to Dr. Heike Link: heike.link@international.uni-halle.de
Scholarship databases are online directories where you can search specifically for suitable grants, funding opportunities, and scholarships for students or researchers.
Every year, the German Academic Exchange Service provides funding for an international student or doctoral student at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
The DAAD prize is intended to honor special academic achievements and remarkable social or intercultural commitment.
Ms. Ochoa Vásquez comes from Ecuador and attended the German School in Cuenca. After successfully completing her Bachelor's degree in Halle, she has now also been able to complete her Master's degree in Biochemistry at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). As a DAAD scholarship holder, she used this support to fulfill her dream of studying in Germany.
Her academic achievements were and are outstanding and a testament to her commitment and passion for her academic field. Ms. Ochoa Vásquez has also been actively involved in extracurricular activities and has shared her experience and knowledge with others. As a graduate of a so-called partner school (PASCH), she now supports international students as a mentor of the PASCH initiative with valuable tips on arriving and living in Germany. On the one hand, her support helps the individual with their start to student life in Germany. On the other hand, this also structurally strengthens and expands the relationships between our university and other PASCH schools in the network.
In addition, Ms. Ochoa Vásquez has also participated in the International Office's Buddy Program, in which she has supported international students. Her commitment has helped to strengthen the international community at MLU and promote intercultural exchange.
We would like to honor this outstanding commitment today.
Congratulations and all the best for the future!
Mr. Singh has also distinguished himself through his scientific achievements and his remarkable commitment to international doctoral students, which is why he is being awarded this year's DAAD Prize 2025.
Mr. Singh comes from India, where he also very successfully completed his Bachelor in Science in Botany. After completing MSc Organismic, Evolution and Paleobiology at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn in 2022, he is now a PhD student in the research group "Evolution and Biodiversity" at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv). His outstanding academic leadership is reflected in his numerous scientific presentations and articles.
In addition to his scientific activities, Mr. Singh has also distinguished himself as an advocate and event organizer for doctoral students within the graduate school "iDiv". He is passionate about equal opportunities, internationalization and diversity and has been instrumental in making the graduate school an even more inclusive place through his initiatives. It is thanks to his commitment that the iDiv building now also has unisex toilets.
Pratyaksh Singh is an outstanding example of how academic excellence and social commitment can go hand in hand. His achievements and his commitment to international doctoral candidates make him a worthy recipient of the DAAD Prize 2025.
Congratulations and all the best for your future endeavors!