Support for Academically Talented Individuals During University Studies (Advancement Scholarship)
Nationwide scholarship for professionally exceptionally talented individuals with at least 2 years of professional experience to support a first degree program, either full-time or part-time alongside employment. Applications are possible in two selection rounds annually.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for professionally exceptionally gifted adults during their initial studies at a public or state-recognized university to open up additional professional opportunities.
Eligible expenses
- Living expenses (monthly €992)
- Book allowance (monthly €80)
- Childcare flat rate (€160 per child)
- Foreign allowance (monthly €200)
- Costs of part-time measures (€3,045 annually)
Eligible to apply
- Individuals
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Completed vocational training with an average grade of 1.9 or better, or 87 points
- At least 2 years of professional experience (≥19 hours/week)
- Proof of exceptional professional performance (grade, performance competition, or employer recommendation)
- First degree program full-time or part-time alongside employment at a public or state-recognized university
- Maximum in the 2nd semester of study at the start of the selection process
Documents required for application
- Online application
- Copy of identity card or passport
- Certificate of vocational training with grade
- Certificates of advanced training (if available)
- Proof of professional experience (work references, employment contracts)
- Enrollment certificate or proof of deregistration
- Proof of university entrance qualification
- Proof of performance competition or justified employer recommendation
Evaluation criteria
- Proof of exceptional professional performance
- Result of the competence check
- Selection interview
Description
The Advancement Scholarship supports particularly talented individuals nationwide who have completed dual vocational training and have at least two years of professional experience. It funds a first university degree pursued either full-time or alongside employment at a public or state-recognized university and offers two selection rounds annually. The aim is to open up new academic and professional opportunities for adults with outstanding training and professional achievements. The Foundation for the Promotion of Talented Vocational Education (SBB) organizes the three-stage selection process on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research: online application, subsequent competency check, and personal selection interview. Applications are submitted exclusively digitally, and the exact schedule will be published in due time on the SBB website.
Eligible to participate are individuals with vocational training holding a final grade of ≤ 1.9 (or ≥ 87 points), at least 24 months of employment (≥ 19 hours/week), and proof of exceptional performance through exam grades, a 1st to 3rd place in a supraregional competition, or a justified employer recommendation. At the start of the process, the first degree must not be advanced beyond the second semester. Funding includes a monthly €992 living allowance, €80 book allowance, €160 childcare allowance per child, €200 foreign supplement, as well as €3,045 annually for part-time study costs. The application includes an online form, proof of training and professional experience, enrollment certificate, university entrance qualification, and, if applicable, employer recommendation. This scholarship opens the path to an academic degree for motivated professionals and sustainably broadens their career prospects.