Study and Research in Bavaria: One-Year Scholarship Program 2027/28 for Master’s, PhD and Research Students

Are you a graduate from Central, Eastern, or Southeastern Europe looking for an opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree, PhD, or research stay in Germany? The Free State of Bavaria is offering one-year scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year to eligible graduates from selected European countries.

The scholarship supports postgraduate studies and research at state or state-funded higher education institutions in Bavaria. It is designed to strengthen academic exchange, scientific cooperation, and educational relationships between Bavaria and participating countries.

Successful applicants will receive a monthly scholarship of €992, equivalent to €11,904 per year. Those with at least one child may also qualify for a family allowance of €160 per month, bringing the total support to €1,152 per month or €13,824 per year.

Application deadline for first-time applicants: December 1, 2026.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is available to graduates who hold citizenship from the following countries:

• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czechia
• Hungary
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Ukraine

Applicants must generally have their permanent residence in their home country at the time of application.

For Master’s applicants, the normal age requirement is being under 30 years old at the time the scholarship begins on October 1, 2027. PhD applicants must generally be under 35 years old. Justified exceptions may be considered in certain circumstances.

What Does the Scholarship Support?

The scholarship can support:

• Complete postgraduate Master’s programs in Bavaria.
• PhD/doctoral programs at eligible Bavarian institutions.
• A one-year research stay in Bavaria as part of a PhD being completed in the applicant’s home country.

The selected program must mainly take place in Bavaria and require the applicant to relocate there.

The scholarship does not cover an exchange year in Bavaria that forms part of a Master’s program in the applicant’s home country or fee-based continuing education programs for experienced professionals.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholars will receive:

• €992 per month.
• €11,904 per year in standard scholarship funding.
• An additional €160 per month family allowance may be available to scholars with at least one child.
• Up to €1,152 per month for eligible recipients receiving the family allowance.
• Up to €13,824 per year including the family allowance.
• Funding can generally be extended twice for up to three years, subject to eligibility and approval.

For PhD programs in Bavaria, an additional extension of one or two semesters may be possible in exceptional and well-justified circumstances.

Applicants should note that travel expenses are not covered. Scholars are responsible for their travel to Bavaria and must arrange their own visa.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

Academic excellence

Applicants must demonstrate well above-average academic performance at their university in their home country.

Academic achievements such as excellent grades, scholarships, awards, publications, lectures, and research experience can strengthen an application.

Language proficiency

Applicants must have sufficient German and/or English language skills for their proposed study or research project. The program generally expects language proficiency around C1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Academic connection

The proposed Master’s or research project should have a meaningful connection to the applicant’s previous degree and future academic or professional goals.

Enrollment

Applicants do not necessarily have to be enrolled at a Bavarian university when submitting the scholarship application. However, successful applicants must enroll at their selected Bavarian institution during the scholarship period.

Selection Criteria

The scholarship is competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.

The selection committee considers factors such as:

• Previous academic performance.
• Scholarships, prizes, publications, and academic achievements.
• Motivation for postgraduate study in Bavaria.
• Relevance of the proposed program to the applicant’s first degree and career goals.
• Quality and scientific relevance of a proposed PhD project.
• German and/or English language proficiency.
• Additional foreign-language skills.
• Internships and practical experience.
• International study or work experience.
• Participation in conferences and seminars.
• Further professional or academic training.
• Voluntary work and community involvement.
• Academic supervision arrangements for PhD applicants.
• International cooperation between the applicant’s home university and a Bavarian institution.

Applicants should also be prepared to participate in a possible online interview.

Required Application Documents

First-time applicants must submit their applications online through the StipSys system.

Required documents include:

1. Motivation letter of 1–2 pages in German or English.
2. Proof of German and/or English language proficiency.
3. University degree certificate and transcript of records, with certified translation where required.
4. Proof of citizenship, such as a passport or national identity card.
5. Tabular CV in German or English.
6. Documents supporting relevant voluntary work, internships, training, publications, and other achievements.

Supporting documents can include up to 10 relevant documents.

Additional requirements for PhD applicants

Applicants applying for a PhD in Bavaria must also provide:

• A two-page research project description.
• A timetable for the overall project.
• A letter of endorsement from a professor at a Bavarian higher education institution.

Applicants applying for a one-year research stay in Bavaria as part of a PhD in their home country must additionally provide:

• A letter of recommendation from their PhD supervisor in their home country.

Family allowance

Applicants requesting the family allowance must provide the child’s birth certificate and the required certified translation where applicable.

Application Process

Applications are submitted exclusively online through the StipSys application system.

Applicants are advised to prepare all documents before beginning the online form because the form cannot be temporarily saved and may close automatically after being inactive for too long.

Documents must:

• Be submitted in PDF format.
• Be no larger than 5 MB per file.
• Be combined into one PDF where several documents belong to the same application category.

After submission, applicants will receive confirmation of receipt and an email requesting activation of their StipSys account.

Applicants should carefully review their submission because changes cannot normally be made after the application has been submitted. Any necessary additions must be arranged with the responsible BAYHOST or BTHA contact person.

If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent application will be considered.

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 Important Deadlines

First-Time Applications

December 1, 2026

This is the main deadline for new applicants applying for the 2027/28 scholarship year.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Extension Applications

February 28, 2027

This deadline applies to applicants seeking an extension of an existing scholarship.

Selection Timeline

The expected timeline for the 2027/28 scholarship is:

• December 2026 – March 2027: Review and evaluation of applications.
• April – May 2027: Selection committee meetings.
• May 2027: Selection results communicated by email.
• June 15, 2027: General application deadline for certain Bavarian higher education institutions.
• July 15, 2027: Application deadline for research universities.
• October 1, 2027: Scholarship program begins.

Applicants should note that university admission deadlines can vary, particularly for individual Master’s programs. The scholarship application and university admission are separate processes.

Additional Conditions

Scholarship recipients must comply with several conditions during their funding period.

With consultation and approval from BAYHOST/BTHA, scholars may generally have additional income of up to €800 gross per month on average. A combination with another scholarship may also be possible under the stated conditions.

Scholarship payments are normally transferred at the beginning of each month. Recipients need to provide appropriate bank account details, residential information in Bavaria, and their German tax identification number after registering their residence.

Scholars are also required to maintain their enrollment and submit current certificates of enrollment. They may be required to participate in program activities such as seminars, meetings, and the annual reception.

Tips for Applicants

Applicants can improve their chances by preparing well in advance.

Research your university early: Identify suitable Bavarian universities and Master’s or PhD programs before submitting the scholarship application.

Prepare a strong motivation letter: Clearly explain why you want to study in Bavaria, how the program connects to your previous education, and how it supports your future career.

Highlight your achievements: Include academic awards, publications, research, internships, conferences, professional experience, and other relevant accomplishments.

Document your voluntary work: Community involvement, NGO activities, student organizations, and other voluntary activities may contribute positively to your application.

For PhD applicants, contact supervisors early: A Bavarian professor’s endorsement is required, so applicants should not wait until the deadline to establish academic contact.

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Conclusion

The Study and Research in Bavaria Scholarship 2027/28 offers academically strong graduates from eligible European countries the opportunity to pursue postgraduate education or research in Bavaria with significant financial support.

The program is particularly suitable for graduates planning a Master’s degree, PhD, or qualifying one-year research stay and who can demonstrate excellent academic performance, strong language skills, clear career goals, and meaningful academic or professional experience.

Because the scholarship is competitive and late or incomplete applications are not accepted, prospective applicants should begin preparing their documents and researching suitable Bavarian institutions well ahead of the deadline.

First-time application deadline: December 1, 2026.

Extension application deadline: February 28, 2027.

For Czech applicants, the relevant contact is the Bayerisch-Tschechische Hochschulagentur (BTHA). Applicants from all other eligible countries should contact BAYHOST for scholarship-related guidance.

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