Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students

If you are an Indian student dreaming of Germany, you must know one thing: "Free Tuition" is not enough. Germany has free tuition in public universities, but the living cost is high (Rent + Food = €992 per month). This is where Fully Funded Scholarships save you. They pay your rent, food, and flight ticket.

Germany is a top choice because most public universities have no tuition fees. But hey, living costs are still high in Europe! You need a plan for your Master's or PhD expenses. The cost of living in Germany is between INR 3-4 lakhs/ per month. The cost of living in Germany varies depending on different factors.

That’s where fully funded scholarships come in. These are super grants from the German government and big foundations that pay for everything: your monthly stipend, health insurance, and even your flight. This means you won’t need to worry about the expensive Blocked Account for your visa.

The biggest player is the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), offering programs like EPOS for those with work experience. Other foundations look for students with excellent grades and strong social work. You must be super prepared and have top academic records to win this great chance. Read on to find the best way to secure your fully funded study in Germany!

What is a Fully Funded Scholarship in Germany?

Many Indian students think Germany has free education, so scholarships is not required. This is a big mistake. In Germany free education only means Zero Tuition Fee. You still have to pay for your Rent, Food, and Travel. This costs around €992 per month. A Fully Funded Scholarship is special because it pays for this living cost too.

What exactly does it cover?

If you win a full scholarship (like DAAD), you get a complete package:

• Monthly Stipend: They put cash in your bank account every month (usually €934 for Masters and €1,200 for PhD). You use this for rent and food.
• Health Insurance: You don't pay the €120 monthly insurance fee. The scholarship pays it.
• Flight Tickets: They pay for your flight from India to Germany and back.
• Tuition Fee: If you choose a private university (which is rare), they might pay the tuition too.

Who can get it?

It is not for everyone. You usually need:

• 2 Years Work Experience (For many DAAD courses).
• High Marks (85% or above).
• Social Work: For political foundations, you must show you help society (NGO, volunteering).

The best part is not the money. It is the German Student Visa. Normally, you need to show €11,904 in a Blocked Account to get a visa. But if you have a Fully Funded Scholarship letter, you do not need a Blocked Account. You save a big amount easily.

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany

Here is the Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships list for Indians with important details around the same.

DAAD Scholarships

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the largest and most reliable source of government-backed scholarships for international students. They have various programs for different study levels and regions, with many providing full funding.

DAAD Fully Funded Programs and Stipends

German Political Foundation Scholarships (StipendiumPlus)

Basically, these German scholarships are managed by a group of 13 foundations. The money come directly from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. They are looking for international students who have excellent grades. But marks is not enough, you must also show strong social or political commitment.

If you get selected, they give you full funding (the amount is same as DAAD), and they also help you with seminars and networking events. It is a very big opportunity for you.

Top Foundation Scholarships for Master’s and PhD Candidates

Note: The stipend amount can change a little bit; it is not always fixed. Please always check the foundation's official website to know the exact money.

High-Level Research Funding (Postdoctoral)

If you have already finished your PhD and are looking for a top-tier research position in Germany, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers some of the most competitive and financially generous fellowships globally.

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) Fellowships

These are for highly qualified, experienced researchers, not for starting a Master’s or first-time PhD.

• Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers:
• Level: Postdoc (Doctorate completed in the last four years).
• Funding: A substantial monthly fellowship of around €2,670.
• Benefits: Includes allowances for travel, family members (partner, children), and an allowance for the host institution.
• Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers:
• Level: Experienced Researcher (Doctorate completed in the last twelve years).
• Funding: Higher monthly fellowship of around €3,170.
• Application: Applications are accepted at any time. You must secure a hosting agreement with a German institution first.

Also Read: 

• Scholarship Interview Questions with Answers to Study Abroad
• Can you Study Abroad for Free?

Other Fully Funded Options

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees (EMJMD)

This is for Master's students. It is fully funded by the European Union. They pay your tuition fees, give a monthly living allowance (often more than €1,000), and also give travel grants. The best part is you study in two different European countries. It is very good experience for you.

PhD Positions (Job Contracts)

Many PhD students in Germany work as research assistants at famous places like Max Planck Society. This is a full-time job contract, it is not a normal scholarship. You get a good monthly salary (maybe €2,000 to €3,000) which cover all your living costs easily.

Checklist of Documents for German Scholarship 

There are documents which is required for full funded German scholarships. 

• CV in Europass Format
• Letter of Motivation (LOM)
• Recommendation Letters
• Language Certificate
• Work Experience Certificate

Also Read-

• How to get scholarship to study abroad?
• How to apply for foreign universities from India?
• Best countries for studying abroad

Tips for Winning a Fully Funded Scholarship

Since German public universities are mostly free these scholarships are basically a huge competition just for your living expenses. You have to show why are you special.

• Your Marks are Key: You need excellent academic records (your GPA or marks) to even have a shot. Get your transcripts ready and certified; don't forget that part!
• German Language Helps a Lot: Lots of Master’s and PhD courses are in English, but knowing some German (like B2 level for some foundations) is a big plus. It shows you really care about coming here.
• Show You're Engaged: If you apply for the political foundation grants, doing volunteer work, having social engagement, or being active in politics back home is mandatory. Don't skip this.
• Pick Smart: If you come from a developing country, put most of your energy into programs like EPOS or the Helmut-Schmidt Programme. These programs were actually made just for folks like you!

Details for Indian Students for Fully Funded Scholarship in Germany (Read Carefully!)

1. The APS Certificate Confusion

Since 2022, every Indian student needs an APS Certificate to verify their degree.

Normal Rule: You must pay Rs 18,000 and wait 3-4 months.

Scholarship Hack: If you win a German or EU-funded scholarship (like DAAD or Erasmus), you are generally EXEMPT from APS. You do not need to wait or pay. The scholarship letter is enough proof. Always double-check this with your specific embassy consulate.

2. Blocked Account (€11,904)

Normally, Indian students must deposit around 11 Lakhs INR into a German bank (Blocked Account) to get a Visa.

Good News: If you have a Fully Funded Scholarship, you DO NOT need a Blocked Account. Your scholarship award letter is your financial proof.

Partial Scholarship Warning: If you get a small scholarship (e.g., €500/month), you must show the remaining amount in a Blocked Account.

3. The "Name Mismatch" Disaster

This is the #1 reason for rejection.

Problem: In India, we often drop surnames or use initials (e.g., "R. Sharma"). In Germany, they need the exact full name as per Passport.

Fix: Ensure your Degree Certificate, IELTS, and Passport have the EXACT same spelling. If not, get a "One and the Same Person" affidavit from a lawyer now.

4. "Notarized" vs "Attested"

Germans don't want simple photocopies.

Requirement: You need "Certified True Copies".

Where to do it: Do not just go to any roadside notary. It is better to get it done from the German Embassy/Consulate (they do it free for scholarship applicants sometimes) or a very senior Notary Public.