Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament and Israel

Call for applications for the 2026 funding period

To commemorate the pogrom of 9 November 1938, the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg has, since 1988, provided the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts (MWK) with scholarship funds to promote Germany-Israel relations.

Target group

All Baden-Württemberg higher education institutions are eligible to apply. They can apply for funding for students, early-stage researchers and interns who are planning a stay in Baden-Württemberg or Israel in the scope of partnerships between higher education institution, as well as for study trips and events in this context. To be eligible to apply, students must be enrolled full-time at a higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg or Israel. Early-stage researchers are defined in this context as persons who are working on a doctorate after completing their studies or who are continuing their research for a maximum of two years after completing their doctorate in order to establish themselves as academics in their field. Interns are eligible to apply if they are enrolled full-time at a higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg or Israel.

When submitting an application for funding, higher education institutions must consider whether it is realistic to implement the proposed measures in the 2026 funding period, taking into account the applicable travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office.

Object and duration of funding

Funding can be requested for the following purposes

for study and practical stays of one to six months (incl. examination period, provided that examination achievements are recognized in the home country),
for events (workshops, symposia, conferences, etc.) and
for study trips.

Universities of Education in Baden-Württemberg can also apply for funding as part of the “Teachers for the Future” program. Funding may be granted for a one-week study trip to Israel that is included in the lecture plan. As part of the study trip, joint seminars are to be held for German and Israeli students, enabling students of Teacher Education programs to experience innovative, future-oriented education in practice, reflect on it in seminars and apply the knowledge they gained in the preparation of classes.

Funding period

If the application is approved, funding will be provided in 2026. The funding period corresponds to the financial year, starting 1 January and lasting until 31 December. It is not possible to transfer unspent funds to the 2027 financial year. However, it is possible to apply for funds for the 2027 funding year for projects that continue beyond the turn of the year 2026/2027 (see application form).

Scholarship / funding amount

The monthly scholarship rate for study and internship stays is for

Students (Bachelor and Master) € 900
Young academics (with an existing Master's degree) 1,200 €
The universities can be granted up to € 5.000 per application for the funding of events.
For the funding of study trips or excursions with students and/or junior researchers, Higher education institutions can be granted funds of up to € 5.000 to support.

The travel expenses of accompanying faculty are to be covered by the higher education institutions out of their own funds. Students are not expected to make a personal contribution. It is up to the higher education institution to decide whether participating students should make such a contribution in order to finance the study trip.

Universities of Education can apply for up to € 15.000 for one study trip from the scholarship program of the State Parliament in order to participate in the “Teachers for the Future” program. Travel expenses for accompanying faculty are to be covered by the Universities of Education out of their own funds. Students are not expected to make a personal contribution. It is up to the University of Education to decide whether participating students should make such a contribution or whether the higher education institution will cover the costs.

Application documents / reporting obligations

Applications for funding under the scholarship program of the State Parliament can only be submitted via the higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg. Applications are submitted in consultation with the International Office. The administrative staff in charge are asked to enclose the following documents with applications for studies, research projects and internships abroad:

Application form (to be completed by the university),
Letter of motivation and description of the planned stay in German or, in the case of applications from Israel, with a German summary,
Curriculum vitae,
Transcript of Records,
Current certificate of enrollment or confirmation of study place from the Baden-Württemberg or Israeli university, stating the exact period of the planned study visit including the examination period,
If already available, a letter of admission from the foreign university,
Internship agreement with a company in Baden-Württemberg or Israel (if you have not yet been accepted for an internship, please add a letter of intent with details of the intended internship position to your application),
if already known, details of travel dates.

To support participation in events / study trips / excursions, the following documents should be submitted by the universities:

Application form,
Description of the event (objectives) incl. cost and financing plan (incl. identification of third-party funding providers),
Determination of the number of participants.

After the funding period has ended, the respective higher education institution is required to submit proof of the use of the funds to the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts. This also includes a report on the measures funded. The deadlines can be found in the approval notice in due course.

Selection criteria

The program aims to contribute to the prevention of antisemitism and to raise awareness and strengthen responses to antisemitic incidents.

In the case of funding for individuals, their special interest in a stay in Israel or Baden-Württemberg within the scope of the program is a decisive factor. The scholarship is not merit-based. The program primarily pursues an intercultural approach and is intended to promote international understanding. In their letter of motivation, students should be able to explain how they can meet the special challenges that a stay in Israel may entail. Israeli students coming to Baden-Württemberg are also asked to address the purpose of the program in their letter of motivation. In addition, students should come up with and outline ideas as to how they can share the knowledge gained during their stay abroad with other students or the higher education institution. In the evaluation of the application, the applicant’s (unpaid) social commitment in associations, interest groups or similar is also taken into account.

The following is assessed for events / study trips / excursions:

Support for intercultural exchange between German and Israeli participants within the scope of the program (in particular, outline of how the measure can promote intercultural exchange at the home institution before, during and after the program),
Information on the group of people to be reached before and after the measure and how this can be ensured,
Integration into the curriculum or a research project,
Sustainability/anchoring of the measure at the higher education institution or in the higher education institution structure (ensuring that more than just the immediate circle of participants benefits from the outcome of the measure),
Outline of the higher education institution’s own financial contribution (it is obligatory to cover the travel expenses of the accompanying faculty; further financial support is not mandatory but will be taken into account in the evaluation).

Generally, funding can also be granted for measures that have already been considered in the past. The only condition is that the group of participants changes.

Application deadline / application process / contact person

Applications for the 2026 funding period must be submitted to the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts by 17 November 2025.

The application documents must be submitted electronically by the higher education institution’s rectorate or central administration with reference to the “Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament” to poststelle∂mwk.bwl.de

If you have any questions regarding the call for applications, please contact Ms. Knappe, e-mail Mareen.Knappe∂mwk.bwl.de, phone 0711 - 279 3116.