The PROMOS Scholarship Programme of the DAAD, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), supports the international mobility of German students and students with equivalent status.

The funding line includes:

• Short-term scholarships for final theses
• Internships outside of Europe
• Subject-specific courses
• Semester stays abroad
• Participation in competitions abroad
• Special funding for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses

Application requirements and deadlines can be found here (only available in German).

Contact: Helen van Ravenstein, M.A.

Auslands-BAföG can be applied for to support a study period or internship abroad.

Internships must last a minimum of 12 weeks and be beneficial or required for your academic training. Study periods should last at least one semester or twelve weeks as part of a university partnership.

Students who already receive BAföG funding for their studies in Germany must submit a separate application for Auslands-BAföG. If the application is approved, domestic BAföG will not be granted during the stay abroad.

Even students who are not eligible for domestic BAföG may still qualify for Auslands-BAföG. Submitting an application is recommended.

Applications should be submitted at least six months before departure, as processing can take several months.

Information is available from the Center for International Relations at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (only available in German) or the Kölner Studierendenwerk.

A semester or an entire academic year abroad in Europe? With Erasmus+, it’s easier than ever! The programme supports students who want to spend part of their studies at a European partner university, offering financial assistance, a simplified application process, and recognition of academic credits.

The Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology maintains Erasmus+ partnerships with four European universities: in Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. This makes gaining international experience targeted and subject-specific.

Get informed, seek advice, and plan your next step towards Europe! More information about funding can be found here.

The Research Master Programme offers Master’s students the opportunity to undertake a research or study stay abroad. Students can make use of the Faculty’s international network and may also receive funding support (e.g., travel grants).

Further information is available from the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School.

The German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) awards scholarships to outstanding students, regardless of their political, ideological, or religious beliefs or affiliations. In accordance with its charter, it supports “the university education of young people who, on account of their exceptional academic or artistic talents and their personalities, can be expected to make an outstanding contribution to society as a whole”.

The foundation’s academic support includes summer academies, research groups, language courses, workshops, and mentorship by designated faculty advisors.

You can find more information here.

For doctoral candidates planning a research stay at a university or research institution abroad, there are numerous funding programmes available. Department 93 of the International Office offers targeted and individual consultations on this topic.

Consultation hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and by appointment

Contact: Abteilung93[at]verw.uni-koeln.de

As part of the Erasmus+ programme, internships for students in companies, institutions, and organisations across Europe are supported - in all participating programme countries.

The aim is to offer students the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience in an international and interdisciplinary environment and to become familiar with the demands of the EU-wide job market. In the process, students can further develop key skills such as communication and teamwork abilities, openness, and in-depth knowledge of different markets and societal contexts.

Application requirements and deadlines can be found here.

Contact: Annika Schwarz, M.A.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the most important resources for students planning a stay abroad during their studies. Each year, the DAAD supports thousands of students with scholarships and funding for internships worldwide and across all disciplines.

Whether it’s a semester abroad, a final thesis at a partner institution, or an internship with an international organisation, the DAAD offers a wide range of programmes tailored to different academic stages and goals.

You can find the DAAD scholarship database here (only available in German).