Rosa Luxemburg PhD Scholarship 2027 in Germany | Up to 3 Years

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Last checked: 15 November 2026

The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship is for international doctoral candidates who do a PhD at a German university. According to the DAAD scholarship database, it pays €1,500 a month for up to three years. The last deadline was 1 October 2026.

Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship Summary

Host: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (Studienwerk), Berlin, Germany

Level: PhD (doctoral)

What it covers: €1,500 monthly grant, €100 mobility allowance, €20 lump sum, up to 3 years

Who can apply: International doctoral candidates in any field except medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine

How to apply: Direct: the foundation’s online application portal

Deadline: 1 October each year, for grants starting the next 1 April (last round: 1 October 2026; time and time zone not stated)

Status: Closed, next round expected 1 October 2027 (not yet announced)

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Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship Benefits

  • Monthly grant: €1,500 for up to three years, according to the DAAD database.
  • Mobility allowance: €100 on top of the grant.
  • Lump sum: a further €20.
  • Not covered: health insurance and family supplements are not confirmed on the DAAD listing, so check the foundation’s page.
  • Not covered: master’s study. The foundation runs a separate scholarship for foreign master’s students already studying in Germany, so this guide covers the PhD scholarship only.

Also check: Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship 2026 in Germany

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Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship Eligibility

  • Field: any discipline except medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.
  • Admission: you must be accepted at a German university, according to the foundation’s page.
  • Supervision: a lecturer in Germany must supervise your doctorate.
  • Qualifications: the foundation looks for above-average academic achievement at school or university.
  • Language: German at level B2 or higher, with proof.
  • Values: the foundation is affiliated with the DIE LINKE party. You must identify with and be committed to democratic socialism and its values.
  • Preference: the foundation prefers women, applicants from non-academic or migrant backgrounds, the socially needy and people with disabilities who show comparable achievement.
  • Not eligible: applicants without acceptance at a German university.
  • Not eligible: doctoral candidates in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.

The foundation publishes no acceptance numbers, so the competition level is not confirmed. A strong application shows above-average results, a confirmed German supervisor and real political and social engagement.

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Required Documents

  • Proof of German at level B2 or higher
  • Proof of acceptance and of supervision by a lecturer in Germany
  • Other documents: not confirmed on the DAAD listing, so read the foundation’s call before you apply
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How to Apply for the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship

  1. Find a supervisor. First, secure a doctoral supervisor and acceptance in Germany.
  2. Prove your German. Next, get proof of level B2 or higher.
  3. Read the call. Then open the foundation’s page and check the current documents list.
  4. Use the German page. The foundation’s application page is only in German, and documents cannot be sent by post.
  5. Submit before 1 October. Finally, send the full application to the foundation in Berlin.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying before you have a German supervisor and acceptance.
  • Missing proof of German at level B2.
  • Sending documents by post, because the foundation takes direct applications only.

The foundation does not list an application fee on the sources I checked, and insurab.com never charges for applications, so never pay an agent.

Also check: KAAD Scholarships 2026-27 in Germany

Important Dates

StageDate
Last deadline1 October 2026
Next deadline1 October 2027 (expected, not yet announced)
Funding start1 April of the next year (summer semester): 1 April 2027 for the 2026 round
Funding lengthUsually 3 years
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship open now?

No. The last deadline was 1 October 2026. DAAD lists the deadline as 1 October each year, so the next round is expected on 1 October 2027.

How much does the Rosa Luxemburg PhD scholarship pay?

According to DAAD, it pays €1,500 a month for up to three years. In addition, you get a €100 mobility allowance and a further €20 lump sum.

Do I need to speak German for the Rosa Luxemburg scholarship?

Yes. The DAAD listing requires German at level B2 or higher, with proof.

Can I apply from outside Germany?

The foundation funds international PhD students who stay in Germany for study or research, and you need acceptance at a German university. Whether you can apply before you arrive is not confirmed on the official page.

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Finally, share this guide with a friend who plans a PhD in Germany.

Khalid Amin

Founder of Insurab | Global Opportunities Researcher

Khalid Amin is the founder of Insurab, a resource for international students and young professionals searching for scholarships, fellowships, internships, conferences, free online courses and study abroad guidance. He tracks opportunities across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, and verifies every program against its official source before it is published. Articles are reviewed regularly and updated when deadlines, eligibility rules or benefits change.

Verified from Official Sources Updated Regularly

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