Scholarships for international students and doctoral candidates
Contact
Forms STIBET / Oscar-Romero / Jakob Mann
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Application form STIBET scholarships / Jakob Mann scholarships / Oscar Romero scholarship Please use this pdf-form as cover sheet for your application documents. -
Financial self-disclosure To be completed by applicant -
Reference letter on the scholarship application To be completed by a university lecturer at the University of Oldenburg
Data privacy
All personal data relating to your application for the scholarships for international students and doctoral candidates are processed in accordance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Such data shall be processed solely in connection with the scholarships for international students and doctoral candidates by the University of Oldenburg, and if necessary the Jakob Mann Foundation, the Oscar Romero Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Participants may, on written request, gain access to their personal data and correct any information that is inaccurate or incomplete. They should address any questions regarding the processing of their personal data to the University of Oldenburg.
Scholarships for international students and doctoral candidates
From 15 December 2025, you can apply for STIBET scholarships from the DAAD and for graduation scholarships from the Jakob Mann Foundation. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2026.
Applications for the Jakob Mann Scholarship and Oscar Romero Scholarship will be accepted from around May 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports international students and doctoral candidates at German universities with its STIBET programme, which is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). STIBET scholarships are fundamentally intended to fund degree programmes in Germany and not studying in (neighbouring) foreign countries or study abroad semesters. The University of Oldenburg awards the following scholarships at half-yearly intervals:
1. STIBET graduation scholarships
to support students with successfully completing their degree programmes within one year and with focusing on their studies and their academic performance
Requirements: Who is eligible for degree programme completion scholarships?
- International students and doctoral candidates enrolled at the University of Oldenburg who will successfully complete their degree programmes within the next year. Language course participants, exchange students, part-time students and international students who also have German citizenship are not eligible for STIBET funding.
- Good performance in degree programme/good progress with doctoral project
- Financial need
- Active involvement in society and/or in university politics is desired
- Residence permit valid for the purpose of studying for a degree or completing a doctorate. This usually means a permit granted pursuant to Section 16 Residence Act (AufenthG) for “residence for educational purposes”.
Scholarship holders are generally allowed to work while receiving the scholarship. But the sum of gross earnings from paid work and each scholarship instalment may not exceed 1548 euros for students and 1856 euros for doctoral candidates.
Funding amounts, duration of funding
In general, scholarships of up to 500 euros per month are awarded for 3 to 4 months. The amounts granted and the periods for which they are granted depend on the level of funding that is available.
Award criteria
- Academic achievement
- Completion within the next year
- Letter of motivation
- Reference letter
- Desired: involvement in pro-bono activities
2. STIBET scholarships for the promotion of equal opportunities
For international students and doctoral candidates facing particular challenges in the course of their study programmes
Requirements: Who can receive support in the form of a STIBET scholarship for the promotion of equal opportunities?
- International students and doctoral candidates enrolled at the University of Oldenburg. Language course participants, exchange students, part-time students and international students who also have German citizenship are not eligible for STIBET funding.
- Particular challenges encountered during the degree programme:
- A refugee background
- A mental and/or physical disability, including chronic illnesses
- Particular responsibilities towards children or people in need of nursing care
- Good performance in degree programme/good progress with doctoral project
- Financial need
- Active involvement in society and/or in university politics is desired
- Residence permit valid for the purpose of studying for a degree or completing a doctorate. This usually means a permit granted pursuant to Section 16 Residence Act (AufenthG) for “residence for educational purposes”.
Scholarship holders are generally allowed to work while receiving the scholarship. But the sum of gross earnings from paid work and each scholarship instalment may not exceed 1548 euros for students and 1856 euros for doctoral candidates.
Funding amounts, duration of funding
In general, scholarships of up to 500 euros per month are awarded for 3 to 4 months. The amounts granted and the periods for which they are granted depend on the level of funding that is available.
Award criteria
- Letter of motivation
- Academic achievement
- Reference letter
- Desired: involvement in pro-bono activities
The Jakob Mann Foundation was established in 2003 by Irmgard Mann in honour of her husband. It was very important to Jakob Mann to provide socially disadvantaged people with high and/or special talents with opportunities to optimally develop and utilize their existing resources.
1. Jakob Mann Scholarship
for particularly gifted international students and doctoral candidates
Eligibility: Who is eligible for a Jakob Mann Scholarship?
- International students and doctoral candidates enrolled at the University of Oldenburg with outstanding academic or research achievements or other evidence of giftedness. Language course participants, exchange students, part-time students and international students who also have German citizenship are not eligible for funding.
- In order to be funded by the Jakob Mann Foundation, scholarship holders must be registered in Oldenburg or the neighbouring regions during the funding period. No funding is available for stays abroad. Absences must be approved in advance by the Jakob Mann Foundation.
- Financial need
- Relevance for the region (e .g. due to the intention to do a doctorate in Oldenburg, career prospects, etc.)
- Desirable: Social or university political involvement
- Valid residence permit for study purposes or for the purpose of pursuing a doctorate (usually Section 16 of the Residence Act)
- BAföG recipients are not eligible to apply.
Amount and Duration of Funding
- A scholarship for 12 months with monthly grants up to EUR 1,000 will be awarded.
Award Criteria
- Academic achievements or other giftedness
- Significance to the region
- Letter of motivation
- Reference letter
2. Jakob Mann Graduation Scholarships
to achieve a successful degree within one year and to focus on your studies and graduation.
Eligibility: Who is eligible for a Jakob Mann Graduation Scholarship?
- International students and doctoral candidates enrolled at the University of Oldenburg who will successfully complete their studies within the next year. Language course participants, exchange students, part-time students and international students who also have German citizenship are not eligible for funding.
- In order to be funded by the Jakob Mann Foundation, scholarship holders must be registered in Oldenburg or the neighbouring regions during the funding period. No funding is available for stays abroad. Absences must be approved in advance by the Jakob Mann Foundation.
- Excellent academic performance or a positive doctoral progress
- Financial need
- Significance for the region (e.g., through intention to pursue a doctorate in Oldenburg, career prospects, etc.)
- Desirable: involvement in social or university politics
- Valid residence permit for study purposes or for the purpose of a promotional campaign (usually Section 16 of the Residence Act)
- BAföG recipients are not eligible to apply.
Amount and Duration of Funding
- Scholarships of up to EUR 500 per month are generally awarded for 3 to 4 months. The duration and amount of the scholarship depend on the available funds.
Award Criteria
- Academic achievements
- Graduation within the next year
- Letter of motivation
- Reference letter
Using funds provided by the Oscar Romero Foundation, the International Office awards an annual scholarship up to 1000 euros to international students and doctoral candidates at the University of Oldenburg who are in financial need.
Oscar Romero scholarship
Requirements: Who is eligible for the Oscar Romero scholarship?
- International students and doctoral candidates enrolled at the University of Oldenburg. Language course participants, exchange students, part-time students and international students who also have German citizenship are not eligible for STIBET funding.
- If applicable, a residence permit valid for the purpose of studying for a degree or completing a doctorate. This usually means a permit granted for “residence for educational purposes” pursuant to Section 16 Residence Act (AufenthG).
- Financial need: Have you encountered exceptional hardship due to circumstances beyond your control?
- Active involvement in society and/or in university politics is desired
Funding amounts, duration of funding
The scholarship covers the sum of up to 1000 euros. It is paid out in a maximum of two instalments of up to EUR 500 each.
Scholarship holders are generally allowed to work while receiving the scholarship. But the sum of gross earnings from paid work and each scholarship instalment may not exceed 1548 euros for students and 1856 euros for doctoral candidates.
Award criteria
- Proven financial need through no fault of the student
- Letter of motivation
- Reference letter
- Academic achievement
- Desired: involvement in pro-bono activities
Application instructions and required documents
Step 1: Your application
Please combine the following documents in a consolidated PDF and send them to welcome@uol.de. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
If you are applying for a scholarship from the Jakob Mann Foundation, please address your cover letter directly to them. If you are applying for a DAAD scholarship, please send your application to the International Office. If you are applying for several scholarships, please submit one complete application for each scholarship. All applications are submitted via welcome@uol.de.
- Letter of motivation
- Curriculum vitae
- Current academic record showing average grade (for students)
- Certificate of enrolment
- Copy of residence permit, if applicable
- If you volunteered in the past: Certificate of duration and scope of your activity as a volunteer
- Financial self-disclosure and bank statements for the last three months, for married persons information on family income and, if applicable, supporting documents
- Additional documents required, depending on scholarship applied for:
Graduation scholarships (STIBET/Jakob Mann):
- Confirmation of thesis project registration with Examinations Office (for students; if already available), or notice of acceptance as a candidate by the doctorate committee (doctoral candidates)
STIBET scholarships for the promotion of equal opportunities
- Documentation of the particular challenges facing the applicant (degree of disability, medical certificates, birth certificate or other suitable documentation)
Jakob Mann Scholarship
In the letter of motivation, explain what your outstanding achievements are. Explain how the Oldenburg region can benefit from you.
Oscar Romero scholarship
- In your letter of motivation, explain how you got into financial difficulties through no fault of your own.
Step 2: Reference letter from supervisor by e-mail
In order to complete your application, we need a letter of reference from the supervisor of your thesis or doctorate or from a lecturer of your study programme. This reference letter must be sent by e-mail by the author to welcome@uol.de
Please use our form for this purpose.
