Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin) was established in 1948 and is located in Berlin, Germany. It is one of Germany’s leading public research universities and is recognized internationally for its research and global academic network. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Freie Universität Berlin is ranked #98 worldwide, #4 in Germany, and #1 among universities in Berlin. The university does not publish a single overall acceptance rate because admissions vary by program and admission restrictions.

For undergraduate students, the most relevant university-linked funding opportunities include the Deutschlandstipendium and STIBET I scholarships. It is important to note that FU Berlin states it does not generally provide scholarships for undergraduate degree programs, so many opportunities are targeted at students who have already been admitted or enrolled.

Important Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities

1. Deutschlandstipendium
2. STIBET I Scholarship for Expanding Access
3. STIBET I Support for International Students in Special Circumstances

1. Deutschlandstipendium

The Deutschlandstipendium is the most important scholarship opportunity for prospective and current Bachelor’s students at Freie Universität Berlin. It supports talented students from all nationalities and all fields of study. Students can apply if they are already enrolled at FU Berlin or have received an admission letter for an FU Berlin degree program.

Benefits

• €300 per month
• Funding for at least two semesters
• Funding begins with the winter semester
• Possible extension during the standard period of study
• Additional non-financial support and networking opportunities
• Around 60 new scholarships were planned for the 2026/27 funding year across different faculties.

Eligibility

1. Must be enrolled at Freie Universität Berlin within the standard period of study, or have received an admission letter for an FU Berlin degree program.
2. Bachelor’s students can apply.
3. Students from all nationalities are eligible.
4. Students from all academic disciplines can apply.
5. First-semester students can apply.
6. Must remain within the standard period of study during the complete funding period.
7. Academic excellence is the primary selection criterion.
8. Extracurricular engagement, practical experience, and certain personal or family circumstances may also be considered.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• University entrance qualification or academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Admission letter, where applicable
• CV
• Evidence of academic achievements
• Evidence of extracurricular or social engagement
• Other documents requested in the online application

FU Berlin specifically requires academic performance documentation as part of a complete application.

How to Apply

1. Choose an eligible Bachelor’s program at Freie Universität Berlin.
2. Apply for admission to the university.
3. Obtain your admission letter or enroll at FU Berlin.
4. Prepare your academic and supporting documents.
5. Open the online Deutschlandstipendium application when the annual application period begins.
6. Complete the online application form.
7. Upload the required documents.
8. Submit the application before the deadline.
9. Wait for the university’s selection decision.

Applications are submitted online, and the scholarship can only begin in the winter semester.

Application Deadline

For the 2026/27 funding year, applications were accepted from 16 July 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to 13 August 2026 at 4:00 p.m. CEST. The 2027/28 deadline should be confirmed when FU Berlin publishes the next call.

2. STIBET I Scholarship for Expanding Access

The STIBET I Scholarship for Expanding Access is a funding program for international students currently enrolled at Freie Universität Berlin. It is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through the German Federal Foreign Office.

Unlike the Deutschlandstipendium, this scholarship is not intended for students who have not yet enrolled at FU Berlin.

Benefits

Under the latest published 2026 call:

• €250 per month
• Funding for 10 months
• Funding period: March–December 2026
• 10 students were selected for the published funding round.

Eligibility

1. Must be an international student.
2. Must currently be enrolled at Freie Universität Berlin.
3. Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or State Examination degree.
4. Must have obtained the university entrance qualification outside Germany.
5. Must not currently hold German citizenship.
6. Must regularly attend university courses.
7. Must remain enrolled at FU Berlin throughout the scholarship period.
8. Must meet at least one of the special circumstances covered by the program.

The eligible circumstances in the latest call included:

• Refugee background
• Having a child or children under 12
• Caring for relatives
• A qualifying disability
• A chronic illness that adversely affects academic achievement.

Important Selection Point

Unlike the Deutschlandstipendium, academic grades are not considered when awarding this STIBET scholarship under the latest published call.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Current certificate of enrolment
• Proof of regular attendance
• Evidence of the relevant special circumstance
• Proof of university entrance qualification, where requested
• Other documents specified in the application call

How to Apply

1. First, enroll in a Bachelor’s program at Freie Universität Berlin.
2. Check whether you meet one of the program’s special circumstances.
3. Prepare proof of your eligibility.
4. Obtain your current enrolment certificate.
5. Complete the STIBET online application.
6. Upload the required supporting documents.
7. Submit the application before the announced deadline.
8. Remain enrolled throughout the funding period.

Application Deadline

The latest published application deadline was 11 January 2026 for the 2026 funding period. A 2027 deadline should be confirmed from the next official FU Berlin call.

3. STIBET I Support for International Students in Special Circumstances

The third opportunity is the STIBET I scholarship/support program for international students facing special circumstances. It is important to understand that this is part of the same STIBET I funding framework rather than a completely separate general undergraduate scholarship.

FU Berlin uses STIBET I funding to promote equal access for international students who may face financial or personal barriers to completing their studies.

Benefits

Under the latest published call:

• €250 per month
• Up to 10 months
• Funding from March through December
• Support specifically targeted at eligible international students

Eligibility

1. Must be an international student enrolled at Freie Universität Berlin.
2. Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s, State Examination, or Master’s degree.
3. Must have obtained the university entrance qualification outside Germany.
4. Must not be a German citizen.
5. Must regularly participate in university courses.
6. Must remain enrolled during the entire funding period.
7. Must demonstrate one or more qualifying special circumstances.
8. Must meet all requirements stated in the current annual call.

Examples of Qualifying Circumstances

The latest FU Berlin call included:

• Refugee experience/background
• Raising children under 12
• Care responsibilities for relatives
• Disability meeting the specified threshold
• Chronic illness affecting studies.

Required Documents

• Enrolment certificate
• Proof of regular course participation
• Evidence of the relevant special circumstance
• Identification/nationality documentation where required
• Other documents requested in the annual call

How to Apply

1. Become enrolled as an international Bachelor’s student at FU Berlin.
2. Check the current STIBET call and eligibility requirements.
3. Identify the special circumstance under which you are applying.
4. Collect documentary evidence.
5. Complete the online STIBET application.
6. Upload your enrolment certificate and supporting evidence.
7. Submit the application before the deadline.
8. Wait for the selection decision.

Application Deadline

The most recently published deadline was 11 January 2026. Students planning for the 2027 funding period should check FU Berlin’s next STIBET announcement for the new deadline.

Conclusion

The Free University of Berlin Undergraduate Scholarships 2027 provide several funding possibilities for students interested in studying in Germany. The Deutschlandstipendium is the most relevant option for prospective Bachelor’s students because it is open to students of all nationalities and provides €300 per month for at least two semesters.

International students already enrolled at FU Berlin can also explore the STIBET I Scholarship and Support Program, particularly if they meet the specified special-circumstance requirements. Since the 2027 scholarship deadlines and funding details have not yet been published, applicants should monitor the official FU Berlin scholarship pages and prepare their academic and supporting documents well in advance.

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