Scholarship for distinguished and socially engaged students

The scholarship for distinguished and socially engaged students is financed by the Rhineland-Palatinate Scholarship Foundation. The Scholarship Foundation RLP is independent from any political, religious and ideological groups, and is administered by the Student Scholarship Counselling Centre at Trier University with an application deadline of 30 April 2026.

Type and duration of the scholarship

• Funding period: 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027
• Number of scholarships: 5 - 7
• Amount of the scholarship: €300 per month (non-repayable grant)
• Maximum funding period: depends on the standard period of study for the respective degree programme (if the course of study is extended for serious reasons, such as a disability, pregnancy, caring for a family member or a subject-related stay abroad, the maximum funding period can be extended upon request). 

Who can apply and receive funding?

Students who...

• are enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree programme at Trier University
• have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to social engagement and
• do not receive any other talent- and performance-based financial support from any of the initiatives or institutions listed in Section 1 (3) of the Stipendienprogramm-Gesetzes (Scholarship Programme Act) or from any other domestic or foreign institution, or
• who do not exceed 10 hours of paid work per week.

It is possible to reapply if you have previously received funding.

Volunteer work encompasses a wide variety of activities, including university politics, homework assistance and tutoring, food banks, animal welfare/wildlife conservation, legal advice, sports clubs, NGOs, the Rhineland-Palatinate State Youth Orchestra, carnival clubs, support activities for emergency/rescue services and church-based child and youth work.

Funding criteria

Applications are assessed by the university's selection committee based on the following criteria:

General selection criteria: 

• For first-year students: 
  the grade point average of the university entrance qualification or - the specialised qualification that entitles the student to study in the respective degree programme or - the academic achievements of any previous university studies;
• For students who are already enrolled:
  academic achievements to date, - for students enrolled in a Master's programme, the final grade from their previous degree programme.

If the general selection criteria are met, the selection process will focus on students who are particularly socially engaged,

If the basic selection criteria are met, the selection process will focus on students who are particularly socially engaged, especially if they have distinguished themselves through volunteer work. In addition, personal circumstances (e.g. disability/chronic illness, pregnancy, migrant background) that have had an impact on the applicant's educational history to date are taken into account.

Selection criteria for social engagement:

• Only significant, regular social engagement will be considered. (Engagement will be assessed according to the amount of time involved, the tasks and activities, and the social relevance.) This may include, for example, the following activities: Participation in university activities e.g. student councils, student parliament, student projects, provided that these activities are not financially compensated; Involvement outside the university, e.g. long-term volunteer work and/or taking on responsibility in associations and initiatives.
• Social engagement currently being undertaken or that which has been carried out in the past three years will be taken into account. 

In addition, social engagement that occurred further in the past will be taken into account if the above criteria are met. 

An expense allowance of up to 50 euros per month is permitted. 

Please describe your volunteer work (tasks and activities, role, time commitment, social relevance) in the space provided in the application portal and upload supporting documentation as a PDF file. Informal or non-institutionalised volunteer work may also be taken into account under certain circumstances, but must also be substantiated by appropriate documentation from an neutral person or organisation.

Application and selection process

Apply via the online application portal of Trier University's Scholarship Counselling Centre https://stipendien-bewerbung.uni-trier.de

Application period: from 6 April 2026 to 30 April 2026

Information and Q&A via Zoom (please be aware that the session will be held in German, though a Q&A session in English will be possible)
16. April 2026, 12:30-13:30 Uhr, 
https://uni-trier.zoom-x.de/j/66029170007?pwd=HYusVreCPZnbSnYXHM5ib1sX6ad1G8.1
Meeting-ID: 660 2917 0007
Kenncode: rUtkT5q2

27. April 2026,12:30-13:30 Uhr, 
https://uni-trier.zoom-x.de/j/63606802819?pwd=zn5KDxAM3vuobRL8UC85v0krIjBLTf.1
Meeting-ID: 636 0680 2819
Kenncode: ML8skT3U

Decision and notification: The university's selection committee will decide on the grants in July based on the documents submitted, after which you will be informed of the result in writing.

Application documents: 

In addition to the information provided in the application portal, please upload the following documents as individual PDF files in the designated fields:

• Letter of motivation (maximum length: one A4 page);
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form;
• University entrance qualification certificate; for foreign certificates, a translation that is compatible to the German system and conversion to the German grading system;
• For students from the 2nd semester onwards: overview of grades with ECTS points or proof of previous achievements;
• For students or first-year students in Master's programmes: certificates from the first university degree that qualifies them for the Master's programme;
• Certificate of enrolment; applicants for a place at university should submit proof of enrolment as soon as possible;
• Evidence supporting the information provided in the application regarding the additional selection criteria (e.g. social engagement, family responsibilities, etc.)

A statement and, if applicable, proof of reasons that have affected your educational background to date (e.g. a disability/chronic illness, pregnancy, migration background) may be included with your application.

Application documents must be submitted in German or English. Documents submitted in other languages must be accompanied by an English or German translation certified by a certified translator.

If you have any questions, please contact stipendienuni-trierde.