Theological and church-related scholarships
Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World) finances study, research and language stays as well as doctoral programmes in theology and church-related subjects. The scholarships are aimed at staff from Protestant and Orthodox churches and serve to deepen knowledge, worldwide ecumenical networking and qualification. The church-theological programmes are the responsibility of Brot für die Welt and the German National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation.
Scholarships for Theologians from Abroad
Applications are open to theology students and graduates from:
- Protestant and Orthodox member churches of the World Council of Churches for studies in Germany;
- member churches of the Lutheran World Federation for studies in Germany;
- member churches of the Lutheran World Federation for ecumenical studies in Rome/Italy or Sibiu/Romania.
Important application requirements:
- academic qualification: minimum of an intermediate examination in Theology/bachelor's degree or equivalent;
- minimum B1- level in the German language at the time of application, minimum of B2 by the start of study;
- ecclesiastical recommendation by church leadership and academic assessments;
- at the time of application, applicants may not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months;
- willingness to return to the country of origin after programme completion;
- applicants may be no more than 35 years of age;
- family scholarships are not awarded.
The deadline for applications is 1 January of each year. Studies normally begin in the following winter semester. The scholarship programme is financed by Churches Helping Churches and the German National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation (DNK / LWB) as well as by donations from regional churches.
Scholarships for Students of Church-related Subjects
Funding is provided in Germany for studies of relevance to the church and civil society. The programme serves to qualify staff of Protestant and Orthodox churches, church-related organisations and partner organisations of Brot für die Welt, mainly from Eastern Europe.
Important application requirements:
- academic qualification: minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent;
- minimum B1- level in the German language at the time of application, minimum of B2 by the start of study;
- ecclesiastical and academic recommendations;
- volunteer work in church and/or civil society;
- at the time of application, applicants may not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months;
- willingness to return to the country of origin after programme completion;
- applicants may be no more than 35 years of age;
- family scholarships are not awarded.
Application deadline:
- 1 January each year to begin studies in the following winter semester.
This scholarship is financed by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Doctoral Scholarship in Theology
Scholarships are offered in Germany for doctoral studies in theology and Diakonie. The programme is open to international applicants from Protestant and Orthodox member churches of the World Council of Churches as well as member churches of the Lutheran World Federation. Scholarships are awarded upon application by partner churches, theological faculties or partner organisations of Brot für die Welt.
Important application requirements:
- entitlement to study for a doctorate at a German university;
- nomination by a partner church, theological faculty or partner organisations of Brot für die Welt;
- readiness to return to the nominating institution upon completion of studies;
- minimum B1 level in the German language;
- applicants may be no more than 35 years of age;
- family scholarships are not awarded.
Application deadline:
- 1 January each year to begin studies in the following winter semester;
- 1 July each year to begin studies in the following summer semester.
Intensive Course in German in Sibiu/Romania
An intensive course in German is offered annually by the Department for Protestant Theology of the Lucian Blaga University in Sibiu/Romania. The course concludes with the B1 exam at the Goethe Institute in Bucharest. Brot für die Welt awards 14 scholarships for the course. A university or higher education degree is required. The target group is people who are committed to the church, in particular theologians. Successful completion of the course enables application for a scholarship in Germany.
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Shaping ecumenism. Strengthening churches. Promoting people.
Leaflet about the theological and church-related scholarships.
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