Advancement Scholarship (SBB Foundation for the Promotion of Talented Individuals in Vocational Education)
The Advancement Scholarship supports professionally outstanding skilled workers with completed vocational training and at least two years of professional experience in their first academic university degree (full-time or part-time alongside work). Selection process twice a year.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The program supports committed professionally qualified adults in commencing a first degree (Bachelor's, Diploma, Magister, or State Examination) at a public or state-recognized university in Germany, the EU, or Switzerland, and provides funding during the standard period of study.
Eligible to apply
- Individuals
Funding requirements
- Completed vocational training or advanced training
- At least 24 months of professional experience (subject to social security contributions, ≥19 hours per week)
- Proof of special professional performance (grade ≥87 points/1.9 or supraregional performance competition or justified employer recommendation)
- German citizenship or permanent residence/settlement permit
- No already completed university degree
Documents required for application
- Online application
- Justified employer recommendation (if required)
- Copy of identity card or passport
- Certificate of vocational training/advanced training
- Proof of professional experience (work references, contracts)
- Proof of university entrance qualification (school leaving certificate, advanced training certificate, aptitude test)
- Enrollment/deregistration certificate
Evaluation criteria
- Professional performance
- Competency check
- Selection interview
Description
The Advancement Scholarship of the SBB Foundation for the Promotion of Talented Individuals in Vocational Education supports outstanding professionals nationwide with completed vocational training and at least two years of professional experience in commencing their first academic degree (Bachelor, Diploma, Magister, or State Examination) at a public or state-recognized university in Germany, the EU, or Switzerland. The program, offered full-time or alongside employment, enables a funded standard period of study in the fields of vocational training & continuing education and education. Applications require personal information, proof of vocational or advancement training (with at least 87 points or grade 1.9), employment references documenting at least 24 months of social security-contributory employment (≥ 19 hours per week), as well as documents for university admission. If the final grade is not sufficiently high, a regional or national competition win (places 1–3) or a justified employer recommendation may be submitted. Selection criteria include professional performance, a competency check, and a selection interview.
The three-stage process begins with the online application, followed by a 90-minute online competency check, and concludes with a personal selection interview in spring or autumn. The next application deadline is based on the dates published on the website; entry is only possible during the current selection process. The scholarship is awarded as a federal program funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and supports motivated adults in gaining a new academic perspective and further developing their professional qualifications through a first university degree.
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