Applications are now being accepted for the winter semester 2017-2018 – for participants from both countries.
“Interest from Belarusian students is very high. We can allocate scholarships for two or three people per semester, but we receive up to three dozen applications, despite the requirement of good German language skills. The level of German proficiency among most candidates is even much higher,” says GFPS chairwoman Eva Damm in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
Among those who have already had the opportunity to spend a semester in Germany under this program are mainly students from Minsk, but also from Brest and Grodno. German studies, biology, law, technical specialties – the scholarship holders have represented various fields.
And geographical preferences vary widely. According to GFPS rules, applicants must propose three German universities where they would like to spend five months. “Many prefer Berlin, it is the most popular city. But we advise them to consider smaller cities like Magdeburg or Heidelberg, depending on their specialty,” explains the GFPS chairwoman.
In addition to attending lectures and seminars, scholarship holders have additional opportunities to work on their projects. “For example, one student researched how a certain type of worm could help fight Alzheimer's disease. In Heidelberg, where he came for the semester, he could use the laboratory,” explains Eva Damm.
Requirements for applicants
The selection process is held twice a year. Applications for the upcoming winter semester are accepted until April 22, 2017. Future scholarship holders must be at least in their third year of full-time study at a university in the country or at the European Humanities University in Vilnius. It is also important that at the time of application, at least one semester remains before graduation.
In their application, candidates must describe the project they would like to work on in Germany and provide a tentative study plan with a list of lectures and seminars they would like to attend. Detailed information about lectures and seminars at the chosen universities can be found on the websites of these institutions – in the Vorlesungsverzeichnis section.
“Project plans must be specific. The information should also be presented in an interesting way. It is also important that the candidate is interested in European topics and shows activity in public life – for example, would like to organize a seminar, meeting, or carry out some project in Germany, and then, if possible, at home. All this speaks in favor of the candidate,” emphasizes Eva Damm.
Online application
To participate in the competition, you must fill out a form on the GFPS website. It should be accompanied by a scanned photo, as well as a resume (in table form) and a motivation letter written in German. In the letter, you must explain why you are interested in this program, why you want to study in Germany, and why you believe you deserve to be a scholarship holder.
The scholarship does not cover English-language study programs. GFPS also does not accept applications from students who are already studying in Germany. Preference is given to those who have not yet had the opportunity to attend a German university on a scholarship.
Applicants must provide a copy of their grade book and a certificate of German language proficiency at level B2 (e.g., a TestDaf language certificate). Additionally, a letter of recommendation from a professor at the home university is required, which the professor must send to: [email protected]
Those who pass the preliminary selection will be invited for an interview in May, which will take place in Minsk. GFPS advises applying for the scholarship first. “If the answer is positive, it will be easier to get a study place at the university,” explains Eva Damm. Future applicants should expect about nine months – that is how long it takes to process documents, go through the interview, obtain a visa, and other paperwork. Additionally, depending on the specialty, the university may require additional entrance exams, for example, at creative faculties.
What awaits scholarship holders
From October to February, program participants will receive a scholarship of 735 euros per month, covering tuition and living expenses in Germany. Scholarship program participants are provided with health insurance and the mandatory semester fee for all German students, and travel costs to and from Germany are reimbursed. Additional support is also provided on site: upon arrival, scholarship holders are helped to find housing, complete paperwork, and resolve everyday issues.
As part of the program, participants must attend two mandatory seminars. The main goal of the first is to help scholarship holders get to know each other better. During the second seminar, they must give a presentation and share their impressions of their stay in Germany.
New scholarship for Ukrainians
The above participation conditions and requirements for candidates also apply to the new scholarship program for students from Ukraine. Applicants must have Ukrainian citizenship. A novelty is that GFPS is raising funds for this scholarship through crowdfunding – on the Betterplace.org platform.
Students can submit applications now – until April 30. The interview is planned to be held in May in Lviv. There is one “but”: the scholarship holder will be able to go to study in the winter semester only if the necessary amount is raised. Currently, the program has 28 percent of the required funds.
What happens if the money is not found? “We'll have to look elsewhere,” laughs Eva Damm. In the worst case, the studies will have to be postponed. But the organizers remain optimistic – there is still a whole month ahead.