The SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees is an opportunity designed to support young, talented refugees and other eligible foreigners living in Germany who demonstrate strong academic potential, financial need, and a commitment to social engagement. The scholarship enables successful applicants to pursue higher education while developing and implementing social projects that benefit their communities.

Unlike scholarships that focus exclusively on academic achievement, the SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees places significant emphasis on social responsibility, community service, and long-term impact. Scholarship recipients are expected to use the knowledge and skills gained during their studies to contribute to charitable or social initiatives during their studies and after completing their education.

The programme is particularly suitable for young people who have already demonstrated an interest in the non-profit or social sector and who want to combine higher education with meaningful community engagement.

What Is the SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees?

The SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees is a scholarship programme supporting eligible refugees and other qualifying foreigners in Germany who wish to pursue higher education while contributing to social projects.

The programme provides an opportunity for talented young people who may face financial barriers to higher education to develop academically and professionally while also addressing social challenges affecting their communities.

A central feature of the scholarship is its social project component. Scholarship recipients are expected to actively participate in the development and implementation of social projects during their studies in Berlin. These projects can be connected to organisations supporting refugees and other vulnerable communities.

After completing their studies, recipients are expected to continue their social projects or become involved in charitable work in Germany for a defined period. SBW Berlin can continue supporting recipients in an advisory capacity as they develop their projects and apply the skills acquired through their education.

Scholarship Focus: Education and Social Impact

The SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees combines two important objectives:

Supporting access to higher education
Encouraging long-term social engagement

This means applicants are not evaluated solely on their academic qualifications. Their motivation to contribute to society, previous social or volunteer experience, financial circumstances, academic performance, and future plans are also important.

The programme is therefore particularly relevant for applicants who can demonstrate that their education will contribute not only to their personal development but also to meaningful social change.

Social Project Requirement

One of the defining characteristics of the SBW Berlin Scholarship is the requirement for recipients to work on a social project during their studies.

Scholarship recipients are expected to develop and participate in projects that have a positive social impact. Ideally, these projects are connected to community service activities undertaken by organisations that support refugees from the recipients’ countries of origin.

However, applicants do not necessarily need to have an existing project before applying. The social project may also be specified by SBW Berlin.

During the study period, recipients are expected to dedicate approximately 2 to 8 hours per week to their social project.

The project component is intended to ensure that recipients actively contribute to their communities while developing practical experience that complements their academic education.

Examples of Social Engagement

Depending on the recipient’s background, skills and circumstances, social engagement could potentially involve areas such as:

Supporting refugee communities
Community development initiatives
Educational activities
Youth empowerment
Social inclusion programmes
Integration-related initiatives
Community communication and awareness activities
Support for vulnerable groups
Non-profit organisation activities
Projects supporting people from the recipient’s country of origin

The precise nature of the project will depend on the individual circumstances and the requirements of SBW Berlin.

What Happens After Graduation?

The scholarship’s commitment does not end when a recipient completes their studies.

Successful scholarship recipients are expected to continue their social projects and use the knowledge, professional skills and experience gained during their studies to advance their initiatives.

Applicants should therefore have a clear understanding of how they intend to contribute to charitable or social activities in Germany after completing the scholarship.

The programme expects recipients to commit to continuing their social project or engaging in charitable work in Germany for at least 18 months after the grant ends.

SBW Berlin may continue providing advisory support to recipients as they develop their projects.

This makes the scholarship particularly attractive to individuals who want to build a career while simultaneously creating measurable social impact.

Who Is the SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees Designed For?

The scholarship specifically targets eligible foreigners and refugees living in Germany who meet the programme’s residence-status requirements.

The stated target groups include:

Homeless foreigners living in Germany
Recognised refugees living in Germany
Holders of a residence permit under Sections 22, 23 paragraph 1 or 2, 23a, 25 paragraph 1 or 2 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), with permanent residence in Germany
Holders of a residence permit under Section 25 paragraph 3, paragraph 4 sentence 2 or paragraph 5 of the German Residence Act, with permanent residence in Germany
Holders of a settlement permit for Germany

Applicants should carefully review the official scholarship guidelines to determine whether their particular residence status meets the programme’s requirements.

SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy a number of academic, financial, age, residence and social-engagement requirements.

1. Age Requirement

Applicants must be:

At least 18 years old
No older than 30 years old

This age requirement is an important eligibility criterion and applicants outside the stated age range should carefully check the official guidelines for any applicable provisions.

2. Social or Non-Profit Experience

Applicants must have professional or volunteer experience in the non-profit or social sector after beginning their stay in Germany.

Evidence of this experience is important.

A letter of recommendation from a social institution or non-profit organisation is desirable and can help demonstrate the applicant’s involvement and contribution to the social sector.

Applicants should therefore consider documenting their volunteer activities, community involvement and relevant professional experience before submitting an application.

3. Motivation to Create Social Impact

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a genuine interest in:

Social commitment
Community service
Developing social projects
Supporting vulnerable communities
Using education and professional skills for social benefit

A strong motivational statement is therefore an important part of the application.

Applicants should clearly explain why they want to study, what social issues they care about, what experience they already have and how they intend to contribute to society.

4. Residence in Germany

Applicants must either:

Be living in Germany; or
Demonstrably not have resided in Germany for more than six years before submitting their application.

Applicants should carefully review the official guidelines concerning their individual residence circumstances.

5. University Entrance Qualification

Applicants seeking to begin undergraduate studies must have a university entrance qualification.

This requirement applies where university study is being pursued.

Applicants should ensure that their educational qualifications meet the relevant admission requirements of the university or university of applied sciences they intend to attend.

6. Academic Performance

Applicants must demonstrate good academic performance.

The scholarship requires an average grade equivalent to at least 2.5 on the German grading scale.

Academic performance is also expected to remain strong throughout the period of scholarship support.

Recipients are expected to maintain good academic performance during each supported semester.

7. Financial Need

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a relatively low net income.

Financial circumstances are therefore an important component of the selection process.

Applicants should consult the official SBW Berlin guidelines for the specific financial criteria, income calculations and supporting documentation required.

8. Study Status

Applicants must meet one of the programme’s study-related conditions.

They may apply:

Before beginning their studies or training
While fully enrolled in the first semester
While enrolled in the second semester
While enrolled in a maximum of the third semester at a state-recognised university in Germany or abroad
For a master’s degree shortly before or shortly after obtaining a bachelor’s degree

This means the programme can accommodate applicants at different stages of their higher-education journey, provided they fall within the specified study conditions.

University Admission Is a Separate Requirement

An important point for prospective applicants is that applying for the SBW Berlin Scholarship does not replace applying for university admission.

Applicants interested in studying in Berlin or Potsdam must independently apply for a place at a:

University
University of applied sciences (Fachhochschule)

The university application is separate from the scholarship application.

Applicants are responsible for completing the university admission process themselves.

Therefore, prospective scholarship applicants should plan both processes carefully:

Identify a suitable university or university of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam.
Review the institution’s admission requirements.
Prepare the required academic documents.
Submit the university application.
Separately prepare and submit the SBW Berlin Scholarship application.
Ensure that both applications meet their respective deadlines and requirements.

Applicants should not assume that submitting the scholarship application automatically constitutes an application for university admission.

Learning About the German University System

SBW Berlin also provides educational resources through its “Good to Know” video series on YouTube.

The series provides information about:

The German university system
Universities in Berlin
Higher education options
Applying to universities in Berlin

Prospective applicants can use these resources to better understand how higher education works in Germany and how to approach the university application process.

What Does SBW Berlin Expect From Applicants?

The scholarship programme is looking for applicants who demonstrate more than academic ability.

Interested applicants are expected to show:

Strong Interest in Social Engagement

Applicants should demonstrate a genuine commitment to social work, community development or charitable activities.

Interest in Developing Social Projects

Applicants should be interested in creating, developing or contributing to projects that address social challenges.

Good Academic Performance

Strong academic results are important, and applicants should demonstrate that they are capable of succeeding in higher education.

Transparency and Communication

Applicants are expected to communicate clearly and honestly about:

Their educational background
Professional goals
Social activities
Financial circumstances
Future plans
Social project ambitions

Clear communication is particularly important because recipients will be expected to work collaboratively with SBW Berlin and other project stakeholders.

Expectations for SBW Berlin Scholarship Recipients

Receiving the scholarship comes with ongoing responsibilities.

Successful recipients are expected to actively participate in the programme and meet both academic and social-project obligations.

1. Develop Social Projects

Recipients are expected to proactively develop their social projects during their study period.

Approximately 2 to 8 hours per week are planned for project-related activities.

2. Maintain Good Academic Performance

Recipients must continue performing well academically throughout each semester supported by the scholarship.

Academic performance is therefore not only relevant during the application process but remains an ongoing responsibility.

3. Participate in Meetings and Workshops

Scholarship recipients are expected to actively participate in regular:

Project meetings
Workshops
Programme activities organised by SBW Berlin

Active participation is an important part of the scholarship experience.

4. Write Project Reports

Recipients are expected to document their social projects through project reports.

These reports allow SBW Berlin to follow the progress, activities and results of the projects.

5. Give Talks and Presentations

Recipients may also be required to prepare and deliver talks or presentations about their social projects.

This gives participants an opportunity to communicate their experiences, achievements and lessons learned.

It also helps recipients develop valuable professional skills in:

Public speaking
Presentation
Communication
Project reporting
Stakeholder engagement

6. Maintain Transparent Communication

Recipients must communicate clearly about their professional and educational goals throughout their participation in the programme.

Changes in circumstances, study plans or project activities should be communicated transparently.

What Happens If Studies or the Social Project Are Discontinued?

The scholarship carries responsibilities that recipients should understand before applying.

If a recipient discontinues their studies or social project, a repayment plan begins three months after the end of the study or funding period.

According to the provided information, repayment is structured over 12 monthly instalments.

This makes it particularly important for prospective applicants to carefully assess their ability and commitment to complete their studies and fulfil the programme’s social-project requirements before accepting the scholarship.

Family Reunification Restriction

Applicants should also be aware of an important programme condition concerning family members.

According to the scholarship information provided, one or more family members of scholarship recipients may not be brought to the SBW Berlin premises for permanent family reunification after the beginning of the funding period.

Prospective applicants with family responsibilities should therefore carefully review the official guidelines and understand how this condition could affect their plans.

How to Prepare a Strong SBW Berlin Scholarship Application

Although meeting the eligibility requirements is essential, applicants should also focus on presenting a clear and convincing application.

1. Clearly Explain Your Social Commitment

Describe your previous volunteer or professional experience in the social or non-profit sector.

Where possible, provide concrete information about:

The organisation you worked with
Your role
The community you served
The activities you performed
The duration of your involvement
The results or impact of your work

A recommendation letter from a relevant social institution or non-profit organisation can strengthen the evidence of your experience.

2. Develop a Clear Social Project Idea

Applicants should think carefully about the social challenge they want to address.

A strong project concept should communicate:

The problem
The community affected
Why the issue matters
What you want to achieve
How you plan to contribute
What skills you hope to gain through your studies
How those skills will strengthen the project

3. Connect Your Studies With Your Social Goals

Applicants should explain how their proposed field of study will help them create greater social impact.

For example, an applicant should be able to demonstrate a logical connection between their:

Academic goals → Professional development → Social project → Long-term community impact

This can make the application more coherent and demonstrate that the scholarship fits their long-term plans.

4. Prepare a Strong Motivational Statement

The motivational statement should clearly explain:

Why you want to pursue higher education
Why you are applying for the SBW Berlin Scholarship
Your personal and academic goals
Your previous social or volunteer experience
The social issues you want to address
Your proposed contribution to society
How your education will strengthen your social work
What you intend to do after completing your studies

Avoid simply repeating your CV. Instead, use the statement to demonstrate motivation, purpose and long-term commitment.

5. Prepare Financial Documentation

Because financial need is part of the eligibility criteria, applicants should ensure that they have the relevant documentation to demonstrate their financial circumstances.

The official guidelines should be consulted for the precise documents and financial thresholds applicable to the application.

6. Apply to University Separately

Applicants should not wait until the scholarship application is complete before considering university admission.

Since admission to a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam is a separate responsibility, applicants should research suitable programmes early and follow the relevant institution’s application process.

Why the SBW Berlin Scholarship Could Be Valuable

The scholarship offers more than an opportunity to study.

For eligible young refugees and other qualifying foreigners, it can provide a pathway to combine:

Higher education
Professional development
Social engagement
Project development
Community service
Networking
Practical experience
Long-term social impact

The combination of academic education and social-project work can help participants develop skills that are useful both professionally and within their communities.

Recipients also gain experience in areas such as project development, reporting, presentations, communication, teamwork and stakeholder engagement.

Important Things Applicants Should Know Before Applying

Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should carefully review the official scholarship guidelines and confirm that they meet all applicable requirements.

In particular, applicants should verify:

Their age
Their residence status
Their period of residence in Germany
Their academic qualifications
Their grade average
Their social or non-profit experience
Their financial circumstances
Their university admission status
Their intended study programme
Their social-project plans
Their commitment to continue social or charitable work after the scholarship
Their ability to participate in project meetings and workshops
Their ability to dedicate 2 to 8 hours per week to the social project

Applicants should also understand the potential repayment requirements if they discontinue their studies or project.

Application Process

The application process involves several important considerations.

Step 1: Review the Official Guidelines

Applicants should begin by carefully reading the SBW Berlin scholarship guidelines and selection criteria.

Step 2: Determine Eligibility

Confirm that you meet the age, residence, academic, financial, social-engagement and study-status requirements.

Step 3: Identify a Suitable University

Research universities or universities of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam that offer your desired programme.

Step 4: Apply for University Admission

Submit your university application separately. Applicants are responsible for completing this process themselves.

Step 5: Prepare the Scholarship Application

Gather the necessary academic, financial, residence and social-engagement documentation.

Step 6: Prepare Your Motivation Statement

Develop a strong statement that connects your education, professional goals and commitment to social impact.

Step 7: Prepare Evidence of Social Engagement

Where available, obtain recommendation letters and other documentation confirming your volunteer or professional experience in the social/non-profit sector.

Step 8: Submit the Scholarship Application

Complete the SBW Berlin scholarship application according to the official instructions and within the applicable application period.

To APPLY Email the motivational statement as a PDF to: application@sbw.berlin

SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees Deadline

Deadline: No specific deadline is stated in the information provided.

Applicants should therefore consult the official SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees guidelines and application information for the current application window, submission dates and any programme-specific deadlines before preparing their application.

Because scholarship deadlines can change, prospective applicants should rely on the official programme information for the latest dates.

Who Can Apply for the SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees?

The programme is specifically targeted at eligible young refugees and other qualifying foreigners living in Germany.

The stated target groups include recognised refugees, certain holders of residence permits under specified sections of Germany’s Residence Act, holders of a settlement permit, and homeless foreigners living in Germany, subject to the programme’s detailed eligibility criteria.

Applicants must generally be between 18 and 30 years old, demonstrate relatively low net income, have relevant social or non-profit experience, meet the academic requirements, and satisfy the applicable residence and study-status conditions.

The opportunity is therefore not a general international scholarship open to applicants from all countries who are living outside Germany. The residence and immigration-status requirements are central to eligibility.

Visit HERE to learn more about the SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees 2026.

Conclusion

The SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees provides a distinctive opportunity for eligible young refugees and other qualifying foreigners in Germany to pursue higher education while contributing to meaningful social projects.

The programme goes beyond conventional academic scholarship support by placing social responsibility at the centre of the recipient’s experience. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate academic ability, financial need, social commitment and a clear vision for how their education can contribute to their communities.

During their studies, scholarship recipients participate in social projects, dedicate approximately 2 to 8 hours per week to project activities, attend meetings and workshops, prepare reports and presentations, and maintain strong academic performance. After completing their studies, they are expected to continue their social projects or engage in charitable work in Germany for at least 18 months.

For eligible applicants who are passionate about education, community service and creating positive social change, the SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees can provide an important pathway to combine higher education with long-term social impact.

Prospective applicants should carefully review the official guidelines, verify their residence and academic eligibility, apply separately to an appropriate university or university of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam, and prepare a compelling application that demonstrates both academic potential and a genuine commitment to social engagement.