Funding opportunities

BAföG-Auslandsförderung (BAföG abroad) for educational stays abroad with a minimum duration of six months or one semester.

Apply at least six months before the start of the planned stay abroad.

• Semester abroad at partner universities in China, Canada, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, USA.
  Application deadline 30 November (for an exchange from autumn of the following year).

• Semester abroad at partner universities in Australia, Japan, South Afrika.
  Application deadline 31 May November (for an exchange from spring of the following year).
  
  

• DAAD one year scholarships for students of all academic subjects: A one-year study visit to a recognised university abroad (outside the ERASMUS programme countries) is supported. (Only available in German)
  

  Application deadlines vary depending on the target country.

• Combined study and internship semester: Support for a coherent stay abroad, comprising a study semester (at least 3 months) and an internship semester (at least 2 months). The practical semester must be prescribed in the curriculum of your degree programme. (Only available in German)
  
  Application deadlines vary depending on the target region (varying between mid-July and the end of March).

Study or Internship in Europe.

Application deadline: 31 January each year.

The Deutschlandstipendium supports students of all disciplines with €300 per month, based on academic performance, commitment, and special life circumstances. For students at the University of Hamburg, the application period is from mid-October to early November each year.

For its 25th anniversary, „GOstralia! – GOmerica!“  is awarding over 25 merit-independent scholarships covering up to 100% of tuition fees or full housing costs for one semester.

Application requirement: a creative submission on how a semester abroad could impact one’s life.

Application deadlines depend on the chosen start date.

Scholarships for stays aborad all over the world

Application:
01.10.-31.10. for stays between 01.01. and 30.06. of the following year.
01.03.-31.03. for stays between 01.07. and 31.12. of the same year.

The Haniel Scholarship Program of the German National Academic Foundation supports a study period abroad of at least two semesters in combination with an internship of several months in a business enterprise.

Application requirements: Existing degree (at least a Bachelor's degree), the university degree must not have been completed more than five years ago at the time of the application deadline. (Only available in German)

Application deadline: October 15 (earliest start of funding: winter semester of the following year) 

The Stipendium für Bahnbrecher is aimed at students with exceptional talent. The financial support comprises 750€ per month for a period of one year. (website only available in German)

For the winter semester 2025, IEC is awarding a merit-independent scholarship of €1,000 for a semester abroad at one of its partner universities.

Application requirement: a creative video (30–60 seconds) showing why you want to study abroad.

Application deadline: June 17, 2025

If selected, you’ll also become an IEC Social Media Ambassador and share your experiences abroad online.

 
 
 

Scholarships, travel expense financing and study grants for studying abroad in Australia, New Zealand or Canada.  (Only available in German)

Application deadline depends on programme.

Scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization for students from the 3rd semester onwards who have been accepted at a Japanese university or educational institution as part of an exchange. Funding for stays from 8 days to one year.

Application deadlines depend on the respective program or university.

e.g. Memorandum of Understanding to non-European countries.

If you would like to go abroad with the help of a subject-related exchange programme, please contact the MIN professors who have concluded MoU agreements with non-European partner universities.

A stay abroad at the university of your choice, which is not a partner university of the University of Hamburg, is possible as a so-called "freemover". The stay abroad as a freemover must be organised by yourself, below you will find an overview of institutions that can support you with the organisation.

In consultation with your study coordinator, you can get credits from the UHH for services rendered abroad. A so-called Learning Agreement for the recognition of services rendered abroad BEFORE the stay abroad has to be agreed upon.

As a rule, you should contact the International Office of the host university for your application. Information on the application process for "visiting students", "freemover", "guest student" or "non-degree student" is often provided there.

For the application to a university as a freemover abroad, the following "standard documents" usually have to be submitted. However, these may vary depending on the university. For more information, please contact the universities directly on their websites:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of motivation
• Copy of Bachelor's degree / intermediate diploma / intermediate examination, if applicable
• Overview of subjects and grades (Transcript of Records)
• Proof of language skills
• Expert opinion of professors

If this is required locally, the tuition fees for your semester abroad must be paid by yourself.

Various institutions offer free information and counselling services:

• Different countries worldwide: (Only available in German)
  
  • IEC Online
  • College Contact
  • Magoo International

• Australia / New Zealand: (Only available in German)
  
  • GoStralia - GoZealand
  • Rauke-Heinemann Studienstiftung
  • Studium Downunder
• Asia
  • Asia Exchange (application fee 75€)

Students and doctoral researchers who want to go on study excursions may receive subsidies to cover daily expenses from DAAD PROMOS.

University instructors only may submit applications for funding for study excursions.

Application deadline of 31 March for stays abroad beginning between 1 July and 31 December of the same year

Application deadline of 31 October for stays abroad beginning between 1 January and 30 June of the following year

For further information please visit the website of hamburglobal.

The Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) offers students the opportunity to study at Swiss universities as part of an exchange program. Scholarships cover tuition fees and include a monthly grant of approximately 420 CHF.  The application deadline is the 31st of January each year. Required documents include a motivation letter, a CV, a transcript of records, and a language certificate
Applications are submitted through your home university’s Erasmus application process.