The Haniel scholarship program is aimed at outstanding young individuals from all disciplines who demonstrate excellent academic performance, social commitment, and entrepreneurial ambition. Students with a strong team and community orientation who aim to actively shape our society through values-based entrepreneurial activity are supported.
The core of the scholarship program is to qualify participants for entrepreneurial responsibility – for example, in family businesses, social entrepreneurship, or the founding of their own companies. The program combines in-depth postgraduate studies, building on individual professional backgrounds and maintaining a clear connection to economics and entrepreneurship, with a relevant practical internship, thus bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world entrepreneurial practice.
Table of Content
Summary
- Application DeadlineOctober 15, 2026
- Study LevelMasters
- SponsorGerman National Academic Foundation
- School to study
- Eligible CountryAll Countries
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Benefits
a. Non-material support
- Admission to the German National Academic Foundation including access to non-material support
- Inclusion in a worldwide network of current and former Haniel scholarship recipients:
- Preparatory kick-off networking meeting at the Haniel Campus Duisburg before the start of the funded studies
- Invitation to annual alumni meetings (alternating between Berlin and Duisburg)
- Direct contact person at the office of the German National Academic Foundation
b. Financial support
- A one-time travel allowance of €1,000 at the start of the funding period.
- A one-time starting grant of €500 at the beginning of the funding period.
- Monthly scholarship abroad amounting to €2,300
- Subsidy towards tuition fees of up to €10,000 per academic year
c. Compatibility with other scholarships
The Haniel scholarship program is compatible with receiving other scholarships, such as a DAAD scholarship for study abroad. Especially for study programs with high tuition fees, you are expected to seek additional funding opportunities to cover these costs. Please note that if you receive multiple scholarships, the scholarship payments may be offset against each other, for example, if combining them would result in overfunding. For specific questions regarding compatibility with other scholarships, please contact the Haniel scholarship program management as well as the program management of any other scholarship providers in advance.
Requirements
People can apply.
- all disciplines with a planned business-related study project abroad lasting at least two and at most four semesters, for which an internationally recognized degree will be awarded.
- for a first or at most second Master's degree, completed full-time and for which an internationally recognized degree is awarded.
- with a proven interest in economic issues. This can be demonstrated through a thematic focus during studies, relevant professional experience or internships, starting your own business, or voluntary work with a professional connection.
- With an excellent university or university of applied sciences degree (at least a Bachelor's degree). The Bachelor's degree must be completed no later than the start of the funding period and must have been obtained from a state-run or state-recognized university in Germany, the European Union, or Switzerland.
- whose last university degree, according to the date of the degree certificate, is no more than five years old on the application deadline of October 15th
Furthermore, recipients of the Haniel scholarship program meet the requirements for a scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation . The following criteria are examined in the selection process:
- Enjoyment of intellectual challenges
- Genuine interest in intensive exchange with other people and cultures
- Perseverance in dealing in depth with topics outside one's field of expertise.
- Curiosity, whether intellectual or practical, to experience new worlds
- Willingness to assume social responsibility out of conviction
Students without German citizenship can apply if they
- have obtained their university entrance qualification in Germany or at a German school abroad ("Bildungsinländer" or
- are treated as equivalent to Germans according to the conditions specified in §8 BAföG or possess the nationality of an EU member state or Switzerland and obtained their last university degree (Bachelor/Master/Diploma/State Examination) in Germany
- and fulfill the other participation requirements
Selection Process
- Please complete the following application documents ( PDF, 0.3 MB or DOC, 0.1 MB ). Please be sure to read the information in the document "FAQ and Application Instructions" (PDF, 0.2 MB).
- Please note that applications must be submitted as a PDF attachment via email to [email protected] . Sending application documents by post is not necessary.
- Following a preliminary selection process, promising applicants will be invited to a selection seminar. This will take place in Duisburg in mid-March. In-person attendance at the selection seminar is a prerequisite for acceptance into the scholarship program.
- Applications to the desired universities abroad and preparations for the internship are the responsibility of the applicants.
Application Documents
Only applications that include all of the documents listed below will be considered complete:
- fully completed application form
- fully formulated CV
- tabular CV
- Copy of all pages of the high school diploma
- Copies of all degree certificates; if the degree certificate is not yet available, a current transcript of records issued by the examination office as a substitute.
- Letter of motivation
- List of proven interest in economic issues, including corresponding evidence.
- two expert reports (these must be sent by your reviewers to the German National Academic Foundation via email)
Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call
Application Deadline
October 15, 2026How To Apply
For more information, kindly visit the Haniel Scholarship webpage.
