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Grant

Talent Support for Vocational Education (Continuing Education Scholarship)

The BMBF Continuing Education Scholarship supports young professionals after successful vocational training with grants of up to €9,135 over a maximum of three years; applications must be submitted to the responsible chamber or the SBB before the start of the continuing education.

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Grant criteria

Application level: Advanced
Region: Germany (nationwide)
Funding amount: Up to €3,045 per calendar year; a total of up to €9,135 over three years
Funding rate: 90%
Project duration: 36 months

Funding objective

The program supports the professional further qualification of high-achieving graduates of dual vocational training through financial grants for specialized and interdisciplinary continuing education or part-time degree programs.

Eligible expenses

  • Participation and examination fees
  • Travel expenses
  • Accommodation costs
  • Work materials (e.g., computer in the first funding year)

Non-eligible expenses

  • Full-time degree programs for obtaining academic qualifications
  • Second vocational training
  • Further training with a high leisure component
  • Preparatory courses for general education school leaving certificates

Eligible to apply

  • Individuals
  • Non-profit Organizations

Funding requirements

  • Degree in a recognized vocational training occupation according to BBiG or HwO or in a federally regulated health profession
  • Professional qualification examination with at least 87 points (grade 1.9) or ranking 1–3 in a supraregional performance competition or justified recommendation from the company/vocational school
  • Age under 25 years (exceptions up to three years for voluntary service, parental leave, or similar)

Documents required for application

  1. Certificate of completed training
  2. Proof of final grade or competition placement
  3. Reasoned proposal if the grade requirement is not met
  4. Application form (master sheet) of the responsible authority

Evaluation criteria

  • Grade of the professional final examination (at least 87 points or an average grade of 1.9)
  • Placement among the top three in supraregional professional competitions
  • Well-founded recommendation by the company or vocational school

Description

Support for Talented Individuals in Vocational Education – The continuing education scholarship from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is aimed at dedicated young professionals who wish to further develop their qualifications alongside their careers after successfully completing a dual vocational training program (BBiG/HwO) or a federally regulated health profession. Over a period of up to 36 months, scholarship recipients have access to up to €9,135 in total (up to €3,045 per calendar year). Funding is provided for both subject-specific and interdisciplinary further training as well as part-time degree programs, with 90% of eligible expenses—such as participation and examination fees, travel and accommodation costs, or necessary work materials (in the first year, an additional IT bonus of €250 for a computer)—being subsidized. Full-time degree programs, second apprenticeships, leisure courses, or general education school qualifications are excluded from funding.

A prerequisite for a successful application is an outstanding final examination (at least 87 points or an average grade of 1.9), a placement among the top three in the regional or national skills competition, or a justified recommendation by the company or vocational school. The maximum age for admission is 25 years (exceptions of up to three years apply for voluntary service, parental leave, or similar). Applications must be submitted before the start of the respective further training measure to the responsible chamber or directly to the Foundation for the Support of Talented Individuals in Vocational Education (for health professions). Application deadlines and dates are set by the respective authorities; for federally regulated health professions, February 15th is the annual deadline. The program not only provides high-achieving graduates with financial support but also strengthens their long-term career advancement opportunities and opens up diverse prospects for successful career development.

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