As part of the HessenFonds, the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture provides scholarships for exceptionally talented and high achieving university students and researchers with refugee status at state universities in Hessen. The funding shall enable them to continue their studies or their scientific career at a state university in Hessen. The financial and organizational management of the program is carried out by the World University Service.
Program
HessenFonds for Refugees and Researchers at Risk
As of 2022, HessenFonds funding is also available to highly qualified researchers (including PhD students) who are threatened by persecution in their home countries (researchers at risk).
Requirements
- entitled to asylum or recognised refugee for no longer than four years by the start of funding.
- the maximum duration of constant residence in Germany must not be longer than five years by the start of funding.
- (In certain cases, these periods can be extended to up to six years since the application for asylum and up to seven years of residence in Germany in the case of periods of child raising in recent years).
- follow-up applications need a separate explanatory statement
Students (Bachelor/Master or equivalent)
- enrolled at a state university in the State of Hessen
- high academic achievements
PhD Students
- accepted as a PhD student and supervised at a state university in Hessen with high academic achievements
Researchers
- guarantee of a research or teaching placement at a state university in Hessen
- a supporting statement from the same state university in Hessen
- exceptional achievements in research and/or teaching
Scope of Funding
The HessenFonds scholarship grants the following amounts for the duration of 12 months:
- Students (Bachelor/Master or equivalent): 300 Euro/month
- PhD Students: 1.200 Euro/month
- Researchers: 2.300 Euro/month
Next Funding Period
October 2025 - September 2026
Application Procedure
Applications have to be submitted to the respective state university in Hessen. Please inquire at an early stage when the application documents have to be submitted to the responsible office of the university.
The universities nominate qualified candidates for the scholarships to the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture. A direct application at the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture is not possible.The next deadline for nominations of the candidates by the universities is the 15th of August 2025.
If you are interested in a HessenFonds scholarship, please contact the refugee coordinators or international offices at your university. They are also your contact persons during the application procedure.
Researchers at Risk
HessenFonds funding is also available to highly qualified researchers (including PhD students) who are threatened by persecution in their home countries. Researchers at risk need to be nominated by a university or university of applied sciences in the state of Hessen.
The universities nominate qualified candidates for the scholarships to the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture. A direct application at the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture is not possible. The next deadline for nominations of the candidates by the universities is the 15th of August 2025.
Applications have to be submitted to the respective state university in Hessen. Please inquire at an early stage when the application documents have to be submitted to the responsible office of the university.
If you are interested in a HessenFonds scholarship for researchers at risk, please contact the refugee coordinators or international offices at a university or university of applied sciences in Hessen. They are also your contact persons during the application procedure.
Any questions ?
If you have any questions about the ´HessenFonds´, please contact the International Office at your university or the university in the state of Hessen where you would like to study, do a doctorate/PhD or work as a researcher. You can find the contact details at https://wissenschaft.hessen.de/studieren/international-students/study-in-hessen.