RWTH Aachen University Degree Completion Scholarship for International Students 2026

The International Office awards Degree Completion Scholarships to international doctoral candidates through the DAAD’s STIBET I program, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

This scholarship supports highly qualified international doctoral candidates at RWTH who are in the final phase of their doctoral studies and require financial assistance to complete their dissertation.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJune 19, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorRWTH Aachen University
• City to studyNorth Rhine-Westphalia
• School to studyRWTH Aachen University
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Funding is awarded for one to five months, with a monthly stipend of €500.

Requirements

You are eligible to apply if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You are pursuing a doctoral degree at RWTH with the goal of earning your doctorate (exchange students, short-term doctoral researchers, and participants in German language courses are not eligible).
• You will remain in Germany for the entire duration of the scholarship.
• You earned your university entrance qualification outside Germany (not at a German school in Germany or abroad).
• You do not hold German citizenship.
• You are in the final phase of your doctoral studies and will remain in Germany during this time.
• You will submit your application to begin the doctoral examination process within five months at the latest (confirmation must be submitted immediately after applying).
• You have not previously received a DAAD CAP Matching Funds scholarship.
• Your monthly gross income from a side job is below €1,403.

Selection Process

• Scholarships are awarded by a selection committee of the International Office in January 2026 and July 2026, based on the submitted documents and individual circumstances.
• Recipients will be informed of the outcome in writing. Please note that funding cannot be guaranteed, and there is no legal entitlement to an award.

Application Documents

• Résumé (CV)
• Copy of your passport and, if applicable, copy of your residence permit (front and back)
• Bank statements for all personal accounts for the past three months (joint accounts must also be included for married applicants)
• If you have additional income: copy of your employment contract and recent pay statements.
  Please inform the International Office immediately if your employment status or working hours change during the scholarship period. Include documentation of any changes.
• Expert opinion from your academic supervisor at the supervising institute/department

• Letter of recommendation from your academic supervisor at the supervising institute

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, kindly visit the RWTH Aachen University webpage.