Goethe University Frankfurt (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main) is a public research university located in Frankfurt, Germany. It was established in 1914 with private funding from Frankfurt citizens and is named after the famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The university is ranked #=376 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and has more than 40,000 students. Goethe University is one of Germany’s major research-intensive universities and offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.
Goethe University does not officially publish an overall acceptance rate. Some third-party sources estimate an acceptance rate of around 77%, but this is not an official university figure and admission chances vary considerably by program.

1. Deutschlandstipendium
The Deutschlandstipendium is the most important general scholarship opportunity for undergraduate students at Goethe University Frankfurt. It supports talented students who demonstrate strong academic performance and social commitment. Students from different nationalities can apply, and the scholarship is independent of family income. Goethe University awarded 620 Deutschlandstipendium scholarships in the 2025/26 round, underscoring the program’s scale.
Benefits
- €300 per month
- Funding can continue for up to two years, subject to the scholarship conditions and successful continuation.
- Financial support allows students to concentrate more on their studies.
- Opportunities to connect with sponsors, mentors and other scholarship holders.
- Participation in the Young Leadership Program, including seminars, workshops, project teams and networking opportunities.
Eligibility
Applicants are generally expected to:
- Be enrolled at Goethe University or scheduled to enrol in the upcoming semester.
- Be within the standard period of study.
- Demonstrate strong academic performance.
- Show social, voluntary or extracurricular commitment.
- Meet the requirements of the current university scholarship call.
- Students of international backgrounds can also apply; the university’s recent cohorts have included a substantial proportion of students with migration backgrounds.
Required Documents
Applicants should generally prepare:
- Motivation letter
- Academic transcripts or grade records
- Proof of enrollment/admission
- Evidence of social or voluntary engagement
- CV, where requested
- Certified translations/conversion of foreign academic documents where required
- Additional documents requested in the current call
The Deadline
The application period is announced annually by Goethe University. For example, the 2025 round closed on July 28, 2025, while the university’s 2024 application period ran from July 15 to August 2. Students should check the latest call for the 2027 application deadline.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to an eligible bachelor’s program at Goethe University.
- Check the annual Deutschlandstipendium call.
- Prepare your academic records, motivation letter and evidence of social commitment.
- Complete the online application through the university’s scholarship application portal.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Submit the application before the stated deadline.
- Wait for the faculty-based selection and final scholarship decision.
2. Goethe Research Experience Program (GREP)
The Goethe Research Experience Program (GREP) is a special scholarship opportunity for outstanding international bachelor’s and master’s students. Unlike a typical degree scholarship, GREP supports a 2–6-month research stay at Goethe University. Students work with researchers in interdisciplinary research groups and can undertake thesis-related research or, in appropriate fields, laboratory work.
Benefits
- 2–6-month research stay
- Free accommodation
- Travel-cost support
- Access to Goethe University’s facilities
- German language course at the Goethe-Institut Frankfurt
- Social and cultural program
- Research experience with Goethe University academics
- Opportunity to work on a thesis or participate in a laboratory research project where applicable.
Eligibility
Applicants should generally:
- Be an outstanding international undergraduate or master’s student.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Have an appropriate research interest matching a Goethe University research group.
- Be able to participate in a 2–6 month research stay.
- Meet the requirements of the particular GREP call.
- Have the necessary academic background for the proposed research project.
The program is especially suitable for students already enrolled at another university who want to gain international research experience at Goethe University.
Required Documents
Applicants should generally prepare:
- Academic CV
- Current academic transcript
- Motivation letter
- Research proposal or research plan
- Description of intended research project
- Proof of current undergraduate enrollment
- Recommendation/supervisor information, where required
- Passport or identification documents
- Any additional documents requested by the specific call
The Deadline
GREP scholarships are awarded three times a year for different research-stay periods. The exact application deadlines are announced with each call. The university’s recent information confirms spring, summer and autumn application rounds.
How to Apply
- Check the current GREP call and available research projects.
- Identify a Goethe University researcher or research group matching your interests.
- Prepare your research proposal and academic documents.
- Contact the relevant researcher where required.
- Complete the GREP application.
- Submit your application and supporting documents before the relevant deadline.
- If selected, arrange your research stay, accommodation and other required formalities.
3. Rolf and Edith Sandvoss Scholarships
The Rolf and Edith Sandvoss Scholarships are a more specialised funding opportunity at Goethe University. The program is associated with the Department of Physics and supports undergraduate and graduate students working on theses who are experiencing financial difficulties. The program has supported students since 2017.
This opportunity is therefore particularly relevant to undergraduate students in physics or related areas, rather than all bachelor’s students at Goethe University.
Benefits
- Financial support for eligible undergraduate and graduate thesis projects.
- Assistance for students experiencing financial difficulties.
- Support for academic thesis work.
- Recognition and encouragement of outstanding academic work.
The exact scholarship amount and funding period depend on the current departmental call.
Eligibility
Applicants may generally need to:
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student at Goethe University.
- Be working on an eligible thesis project.
- Be associated with the relevant academic field, particularly physics.
- Demonstrate financial need or challenging financial circumstances.
- Demonstrate academic ability and progress.
- Meet any additional requirements established by the Physics Department or scholarship committee.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Academic transcript
- Proof of enrollment
- Thesis/project proposal
- Description of the research project
- CV
- Evidence of financial circumstances, where requested
- Supervisor’s confirmation or recommendation
- Other documents specified in the current departmental call
The Deadline
The scholarship is administered at the departmental level, so there is no universal university-wide deadline. Applicants should check the latest announcement from the Physics Department for the current application period.
How to Apply
- Confirm that your bachelor’s program and thesis fall within the scholarship’s eligible academic area.
- Contact your thesis supervisor or the relevant Physics Department office.
- Check the latest Rolf and Edith Sandvoss Scholarship announcement.
- Prepare your academic, thesis and financial documents.
- Complete the departmental application.
- Submit the documents before the deadline stated in the current call.
- Wait for the department’s selection decision.
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