Study in Germany: Open Study/Research Award

Intended for recent bachelor’s graduates and current master’s students in all disciplines, including the performing and visual arts, our Open Study/Research grants help you pursue full-time graduate study for two academic semesters, or cooperating with existing research groups at German universities or pertinent non-university institutions. Under the supervision of a German academic advisor you get involved in ground-breaking research and first-class graduate education. This gains you an academic and personal competitive edge, strengthens your creative potential, and opens up new important networks for your future career. You will experience Germany’s diverse culture in its many regions and explore Europe from its central country. The ten-month grants usually start in mid-September and require formal matriculation at a German university.

US students who will have completed at least a B.A./B.S. degree by the time of arrival in Germany with a consistent and focused plan for the intended study or research project (and the German language skills required to fully perform the project).

Fulbright Germany strives to embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of its work. Applications are open to all individuals regardless of their race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity.

• US citizenship; applicants with US-German dual citizenship are not eligible
• Strong academic background
• A meaningful letter of invitation from the intended German host institution
• Demonstrated willingness to actively engage in academic and cultural exchange between Germany and the US through shared interests and joint activities

Full maintenance grant:

• Stipend of currently Euro 934/month
• Health insurance
• One-time international roundtrip travel allowance
• Other benefits include a semester incidental allowance, a monthly family allowance for grantees accompanied by their spouse and/or family, participation in Fulbright orientation meeting, the administrative support through Fulbright Germany, and access to the international network of Fulbright grantees and alumnae:i

Travel-only grant:

Travel only grant status refers to candidates funded from non-Fulbright resources, for instance through award benefits provided by the Germanistic Society of America (administered by the Institute of International Education, see below) or through scholarships provided within the framework of German-American university partnerships. In such cases, Fulbright Germany´s grant benefits are limited to international travel, participation in orientation/mid-year meetings, and administrative support.

The application cycle usually opens in April and ends in October. During this time the Institute of International Education (IIE) through which US students must submit their Fulbright application publishes the respective current application guidelines.  For preliminary guidance about the Open Study/Research Grant in Germany, you might want to check here.

If you are enrolled at a US university we recommend to consult your university´s Fulbright Program Advisor.

Applications must be prepared in the spring/summer preceding the year in which the scholarship is due to begin. For example, the application for a Fulbright grant in the academic year 2026-27 (begins September 2026) must be submitted in October 2025. If you are interested to apply make sure to get in touch with your Fulbright Program Advisor well in advance.

All applications will be reviewed by special selection committees, with the final assessment made by a selection panel in Germany. Applicants in the visual and performing arts will go through a joint DAAD/Fulbright review process and must fulfill additional admission conditions and audition requirements.  All grant nominations are made after the completion of the award competition and depending on funds available.

Please note Fulbright Germany’s data protection declaration.

American Programs
Fulbright Germany
Lützowufer 26
10787 Berlin
Germany

E-mail contact