The Socially Better World (SBW) Berlin Scholarship is designed to support talented young individuals from around the world who have demonstrated a strong commitment to social causes. This scholarship provides financial aid to students who aim to contribute to social projects in their home countries, both during and after their studies in Berlin.

Scholarship Purpose

SBW Berlin offers this scholarship to international students who wish to use their education to develop and implement social initiatives. Recipients are expected to actively participate in social projects while studying in Berlin. Ideally, these projects should align with charitable organizations in their home countries to improve local living conditions.

Upon completion of their studies, scholars continue receiving advisory support from SBW Berlin, helping them further develop and implement the social projects initiated during their academic journey.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the SBW Berlin Scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Be aged between 18 and 30 years old.
• Have experience in the non-profit or social sector, supported by letters of recommendation.
• Not have resided in Germany for more than 18 months prior to applying.
• Meet university admission requirements.
• Intend to return to their home country for at least 18 months after graduation or engage in charitable activities in Germany until the scholarship repayment plan is complete.
• Demonstrate financial need, as per SBW Berlin’s guidelines.
• Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in the German system.
• Have no immediate family members living permanently in Germany.
• Apply before beginning their studies or within the first, second, or third semester of a recognized university in Germany or abroad. Applicants planning to pursue a master’s degree must apply shortly before or after completing their bachelor’s degree.
• Be enrolled in or apply to a university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin or Potsdam. Scholarship applicants are responsible for securing admission separately from their scholarship application.

Scholarship Benefits

SBW Berlin provides the following support for scholarship recipients:

• A furnished room in shared student apartments in Berlin.
• A monthly living allowance of €480.
• Coverage of tuition fees.
• Possible financial assistance for travel expenses to and from Berlin at the beginning and end of the study period.

Important Notes:

• The monthly stipend and accommodation are only available once the recipient moves into SBW Berlin’s shared student housing.
• Part-time jobs are generally not allowed.
• For students receiving Federal Education Assistance (BAföG), the scholarship benefits may be adjusted, allowing for a book stipend of up to €100 per month.

Expectations from Scholarship Recipients

As a scholarship recipient, students must fulfill the following obligations:

• Engage in social projects: Dedicate 2 to 8 hours per week to developing or contributing to social projects throughout the duration of their studies.
• Maintain strong academic performance: Scholars must demonstrate continued academic progress and good grades in every semester.
• Active participation: Attend regular project meetings and workshops organized by SBW Berlin.
• Submit project reports: Provide detailed progress reports on their social projects.
• Deliver presentations: Prepare and present findings or updates on their projects.
• Transparent communication: Maintain open and professional communication regarding their academic and project-related developments.
• Repayment agreement: If a recipient discontinues their studies or decides to stay in Germany after the funding period, they must initiate a repayment plan starting three months after their studies end, paying back the scholarship in 12 monthly installments.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Letter of Recommendation: Issued by a non-profit organization or social institution (must be submitted via email by the issuing organization).
2. Application Form: Only outstanding applicants will receive access to the official application form.
3. Project Description: A 2 to 5-page document explaining the applicant’s planned social project.
4. University Admission Qualification: Proof of eligibility for university education.
5. Household Income Details: Documentation proving low net household income.
6. Most Recent Academic Certificate: Including grades and GPA overview.
7. Highest Academic Degree Certificate: A high school diploma or university certificate with a transcript of grades.

Additional Documents (if available):

• University Admission Letter (from a Berlin or Potsdam institution).
• Language Proficiency Certificate (for the language of instruction).
• University Transcripts (graded and ungraded records).
• Certificates of Work Experience (including internships or apprenticeships).
• Additional Letters of Recommendation from professors, schoolteachers, or employers.
• Proof of Household Income.

Important Notes:

• Documents must be submitted in German or English. If in another language, a translation must be included.
• Non-certified copies and simple translations are accepted during the initial application phase, but certified copies may be required after selection.

Selection Process

Selection Criteria:

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:

• Financial Need: Applicants must meet financial requirements as per the German Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG).
• Household Income: Total household income must be below the official average for the applicant’s home country.
• Academic Potential: Candidates must demonstrate strong intellectual ability through their documents and interview performance.
• Social Commitment: Candidates should show a strong personal commitment to social work and the ability to implement projects effectively.
• Project Viability: SBW Berlin will assess the feasibility and potential impact of the proposed social project.

Selection Steps:

1. First Phase: Review of recommendation letters. Selected candidates receive access to the online application form.
2. Second Phase: A thorough evaluation of the candidate’s academic performance, financial situation, and project proposal.
3. Third Phase: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews or video conferences. They may be required to solve practical problems and discuss their project ideas.
4. Final Selection: A comprehensive evaluation determines the final scholarship recipients.

How to Apply?

• No application or processing fees are required.
• Applicants must obtain a letter of recommendation from a non-profit or social institution. This letter should be sent directly to [email protected] by the issuing organization.
• Only applicants with a strong letter of recommendation will receive access to the application form.
• Ensure all required documents are included in the application.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

submission email: application@sbw. berlin

For more details, kindly visit the SBW Berlin’s website. If you have more questions, check the FAQ or Guidelines.