Germany is an excellent destination for international nurses and healthcare graduates who want to continue their education abroad. Through different Scholarships in Germany for Nurses, qualified applicants may receive financial support for master’s degrees, doctoral programs, and research in nursing science, public health, global health, healthcare management, and other related subjects.
- Scholarships in Germany for Nurses: Key Information
- 1. DAAD Scholarships for Nurses
- 2. DAAD EPOS Scholarships
- 3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarships
- 4. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
- 5. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship
- 6. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship
- 7. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
- Benefits of Scholarships in Germany for Nurses
- Eligibility Criteria
- Required Documents
- How to Apply for Scholarships in Germany for Nurses
- Important Information for International Nurses
- Final Thoughts
Most of these scholarships are not exclusively reserved for nurses. They are broader German or European funding programs that may accept nursing graduates when they select an eligible healthcare-related degree.
Applicants should carefully check the university program, academic requirements, language conditions, funding package, and application deadline before submitting an application.
Scholarships in Germany for Nurses: Key Information
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Germany |
| Eligible applicants | International students |
| Study levels | Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD, depending on the scholarship |
| Relevant fields | Nursing Science, Public Health, Global Health and Healthcare Management |
| Financial support | Monthly stipend and additional benefits, depending on the program |
| Language requirements | English or German, depending on the scholarship |
| Application fee | Usually no scholarship application fee |
| Application deadline | Different for every scholarship |
1. DAAD Scholarships for Nurses
The German Academic Exchange Service, commonly known as DAAD, provides numerous funding opportunities for international graduates, doctoral candidates, and researchers.
Nursing graduates can search the DAAD scholarship database for funding related to nursing science, public health, global health, health policy, healthcare administration, or medical research.
A DAAD scholarship may provide:
- A monthly scholarship payment
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- A travel allowance
- A study or research allowance
- Possible accommodation or family support
- German-language course funding in selected cases
The exact financial package depends on the selected scholarship. Applicants must choose a program that accepts their nationality, degree level, academic background, and intended field of study.
Students can read our complete guide to the DAAD Scholarships 2027 for more information about benefits, eligibility, deadlines, and documents.
2. DAAD EPOS Scholarships
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses program, commonly called EPOS, supports professionals from eligible developing and newly industrialized countries.
Experienced nurses may find suitable postgraduate courses in:
- Public health
- International health
- Global health
- Health policy
- Healthcare administration
- Health systems management
- Development studies
- Medical and health research
Applicants generally need a relevant bachelor’s degree and professional work experience. Every participating university has its own course requirements and application deadline.
Possible EPOS benefits include a monthly stipend, insurance coverage, travel support, and possible rent or family allowances. The exact benefits depend on the applicant, degree level, and selected course.
The EPOS route may be especially useful for nurses who want to move from clinical practice into leadership, healthcare policy, education, public health, research, or development work.
Students seeking a shorter funded experience may also explore the DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship 2027.
EPOS applications are generally submitted directly to the university offering the selected postgraduate course.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international degree programs offered jointly by universities in different countries. Some programs may include a German university as one of their study destinations.
Students from around the world can apply. Full scholarships are available to the highest-ranked candidates in participating programs.
Depending on the selected course, Erasmus Mundus scholarship funding may cover or contribute toward:
- University participation costs
- Monthly living expenses
- Travel expenses
- Visa-related costs
- Insurance
- Academic activities in different countries
Nursing graduates should search the official course catalogue for programs related to public health, global health, health sciences, social policy, healthcare policy, or other relevant subjects.
Applicants apply directly to the university consortium responsible for their selected program. Many programs accept applications between October and January, but every course has a separate deadline and admission process.
Applicants interested in European funding may also read about the MAPP Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027.
4. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung scholarship supports talented and socially engaged international students who want to study in Germany.
Eligible bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate, and doctoral students may receive financial assistance. The program lists funding of up to €992 per month for eligible bachelor’s, master’s, or postgraduate students and up to €1,400 per month for doctoral candidates.
Additional assistance may be available for health insurance, eligible family members, children, research travel, or tuition expenses in exceptional circumstances.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong academic performance
- Regular community or volunteer involvement
- Commitment to democracy and human rights
- Interest in political and social issues
- Leadership ability
- Clear academic and professional goals
- German-language proficiency
German proficiency at approximately B2 level is an important requirement. Master’s applicants must generally intend to complete an eligible four-semester program at a German university.
5. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship
The Heinrich Böll Foundation awards scholarships to eligible graduate and doctoral students from Germany and other countries.
International nursing graduates may apply when pursuing an eligible master’s or doctoral program connected to health or another accepted academic discipline.
International applicants generally need German-language proficiency at approximately B2 or DSH1 level. German may still be required when the selected university degree is taught in English.
The selection process considers:
- Academic achievement
- Social engagement
- Personal responsibility
- Political awareness
- Support for democracy and human rights
- Connection with the foundation’s values
- Quality of the application documents
Applications are normally accepted twice annually, with deadlines on March 1 and September 1. The online application portal generally opens about six weeks before the deadline.
6. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship
The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation provides scholarships for eligible international master’s and doctoral students studying or conducting research in Germany.
Nursing graduates may qualify when their selected degree meets the academic requirements. Suitable fields could include:
- Nursing science
- Public health
- Global health
- Social medicine
- Health policy
- Healthcare management
- Nursing education
- Medical and social research
Candidates generally need strong academic results, German-language proficiency, and evidence of meaningful social or political engagement.
This scholarship is not specifically designed for nurses. Nursing graduates compete with applicants from numerous academic disciplines and should clearly explain how their chosen program supports their future career and social goals.
Read our detailed guide to the Rosa Luxemburg Scholarship 2027 for more information about its requirements and funding.
7. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung supports talented students who demonstrate academic ability, social responsibility, and commitment to democratic values.
International nursing and healthcare graduates may qualify when admitted to an eligible academic program in Germany.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Excellent or above-average academic results
- Social or political engagement
- Commitment to democratic values
- A clear academic plan
- Motivation to contribute to society
- German-language proficiency
- Admission to an eligible university program
Nurses who have participated in community health projects, awareness campaigns, healthcare volunteering, public-health activities, or leadership programs should mention these experiences in their applications.
German proficiency is normally important even when the applicant’s chosen university program is taught in English.
Benefits of Scholarships in Germany for Nurses
The funding package differs between scholarship organizations. Successful applicants for Scholarships in Germany for Nurses may receive some of the following benefits:
- Monthly living stipend
- Health and accident insurance
- Travel allowance
- Study or research allowance
- Accommodation support in certain cases
- Family or child allowances
- German-language course support
- Academic mentoring
- Professional seminars
- International networking opportunities
Applicants should not assume that every scholarship covers all expenses. Students must read the official funding conditions and check whether they need additional personal money.
Eligibility Criteria
Requirements for Scholarships in Germany for Nurses vary between programs. Applicants commonly need:
- A recognized nursing or healthcare-related qualification
- A bachelor’s degree for master’s scholarships
- A master’s degree for most doctoral scholarships
- Strong academic results
- Admission or intended admission to an eligible German university
- Professional experience for selected programs
- English or German language proficiency
- A clear academic and career plan
- Community, volunteer, or leadership experience
- Eligibility based on nationality or country of residence
A nursing diploma alone may not satisfy the requirements for a postgraduate scholarship. Applicants must confirm whether their qualification is recognized as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
Required Documents
Applicants may need to prepare the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree or nursing diploma
- Nursing registration or professional licence
- Updated CV or résumé
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Employment certificates
- Professional-experience letters
- Proof of English or German proficiency
- University admission or application documents
- Research proposal for doctoral applicants
- Evidence of volunteer or community involvement
Documents may require certified translations when they were not originally issued in English or German.
How to Apply for Scholarships in Germany for Nurses
Follow these steps to submit a strong application:
- Select a relevant degree in nursing, public health, global health, healthcare management, health policy, or another related subject.
- Confirm that your previous nursing qualification meets the university’s admission requirements.
- Choose a scholarship that supports your nationality, academic level, and intended program.
- Review its language and professional-experience requirements.
- Check the exact application deadline.
- Prepare all required academic and professional documents.
- Write an original motivation letter explaining your nursing background and future career goals.
- Apply through the official scholarship portal or participating university.
- Review the entire application before submission.
- Submit all documents before the official deadline.
- Check your email regularly for interview invitations or additional-document requests.
Applicants must use the official scholarship and university websites because funding amounts, eligibility rules, courses, and application deadlines may change.
Important Information for International Nurses
Receiving a scholarship to study a healthcare-related subject does not automatically authorize an international graduate to work as a registered nurse in Germany.
Professional nursing employment may require:
- Recognition of foreign nursing qualifications
- German-language proficiency
- Professional registration
- Additional examinations
- Adaptation training
- Approval from the responsible German authority
Scholarship admission and professional nursing recognition are separate processes. Applicants planning to work in Germany after graduation must research both procedures carefully.
Final Thoughts
The Scholarships in Germany for Nurses listed above can help international nursing and healthcare graduates pursue advanced education in Germany. However, these opportunities are generally multidisciplinary scholarships rather than guaranteed funding programs created exclusively for nurses.
Applicants can improve their chances by choosing an eligible healthcare-related degree, preparing a convincing motivation letter, documenting their professional experience, and submitting every required document before the deadline.
Always check the official scholarship provider for current eligibility, funding, and application information. With careful preparation, nursing graduates can use these opportunities to build careers in healthcare management, public health, nursing education, research, clinical leadership, and global health.
