Who we are
We are the youngest German scholarship organisation recognised by the state. We provide scholarships to highly talented and socially engaged Muslim students and researchers.
Financial Support
The financial support consists of a monthly grant and a fixed sum for study or research expenses. It may also include semesters abroad, conferences, internships and language courses abroad.
Educational Programme
We offer promising and motivated young Muslims suitable spaces and opportunities to develop academically, to engage with their own faith, and to take responsibility through social engagement.
„Avicenna-Studienwerk is a tremendously ambitious and bold effort to allow a generation of outstanding young German Muslims realize their intellectual and creative capacities. I am unaware of any other scholarship program in the Western world that has gathered the same level of resources for such an effort. Combining financial support, ethical formation and mentoring, this program is a model for other nations.“
Professor Ingrid Mattson, University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada.
In 2013, the Avicenna-Studienwerk has been recognised by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as the 13th official scholarship organisation in Germany. In its Latinised form, the organisation is named after the great and influencial 11th-century scholar Ibn Sina. Avicenna provides scholarships to highly talented and socially engaged young German Muslim students. Through its special educational as well as mentoring programmes, it provides suitable spaces for promising and motivated young Muslims to develop academically and personally. Avicenna creates a platform for future Muslim decision makers and leaders in all spheres of life.
Scholarship Programmes funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
The scholarship program is more than just a scholarship, more than just a funding opportunity. Thirteen organizations for the promotion of gifted students, which have joined forces under the umbrella of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), support students and young scientists with exceptional talents.
Students in Germany have many possibilities to choose from and to match their personal interests and their study priorities. There are ideologically neutral organisations as well as others that are more politically associated, denomination-based or run by the unions or employers’ associations. They adopt and represent different views and positions which reflect the plurality of Germany’s democratic society, yet they share the same goal. They are dedicated to promoting the common good and are assuming responsibility for the society in which we live in. They have established common rules and aims in coordination with the BMBF. The motto is ‚Diversity in Unity‘.
In 2014 in an historic ceremony, which also included a reception by the then German President Joachim Gauck, the Avicenna-Studienwerk welcomed its first generation of 65 promising grantees. In 2015, further 80 grantees were accepted into the scholarship programme, which were followed by 120 in 2016 and 2017. By the end of 2019, we reached our aim to have 500 grantees.
International Scholarship Program for Muslim Students and Doctoral Candidates
The International Scholarship Program (ISP) of the Avicenna-Studienwerk and the Islamkolleg Deutschland supports international Muslim students,doctoral candidates, imams and religious personnel with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA). The aim of the program is to create optimal conditions for academic qualification, social commitment and personal development through financial and non-material support.
The call for applications will run from 1st March – 14th April 2025.
Educational Program
The financial and intellectual support of international Muslim students and doctoral candidates aims to make it possible for the grantee to pursue their degree at a German university. Furthermore they are supported to become active and engaged in various areas of civil society and extra-curricular initiatives.
The ISP scholarship recipients join the group of Avicenna-Studienwerk scholarship holders and are included in the Avicenna program. They will take part in regional group meetings and educational programs such as seminars and study trips.
Financial Support
The financial support consists of a monthly scholarship. The funding programmes for study and doctoral funding differ in the amount of the scholarship and the additional supplements. Internships and language courses can also be funded, subject to the availability of funds. The scholarships do not have to be repaid.
Financial support for MA-Students
844 €
basic scholarship per month
100 €
supplementary support for health insurance per month
100 €
travel allowance per month
Financial support for doctoral candidates
1190 €
basic scholarship per month
100 €
supplementary support for health insurance per month
100 €
travel allowance per month
In addition, the following additional benefits may be granted under certain conditions and within the scope of the availability of funds:
276 €
family allowance per month
100 € / 50 €
one-time initial help/ book allowance
2050 €
printing cost allowance for doctorates
Application Process
The ISP is designed for international muslim students and doctoral candidates, who want to pursue a degree program (MA) or PhD-thesis at a German university. An application is independent of age, gender or subject of study.
Resident educational students can’t be funded through the ISP. Double funding by other programs for the gifted is also excluded.
Application Requirements
- above average potential for academic/research achievement;
- social, cultural or political involvement;
- enrolment (or at least acceptance) for a master's degree or doctorate at a German university
- Practical training at the Islamkolleg Deutschland (for imams and religious personnel) in addition to a Master's program
- all fields of study.
Application Documents (to be submitted only in German or English)
- informal letter of motivation (max. 2 pages);
- CV in table form (max. 2 pages);
- certificate of higher education entrance qualification (Abitur, A-Levels etc.);
- university certificate and if applicable job references;
- current certificate of enrollment;
- proof of social involvement; two academic letters of recommendation;
- two academic letters of recommendation;
- a copy of your passport; current transcript of records.
Additionally for Doctoral Candidates
A short synopsis of your dissertation project (max. 3 pages) with information on
- topic of the project;
- supervisor:in;
- research question;
- current status;
- expected results.
The application portal is open from 1st March till 14th April 2025.
FAQs
Avicenna-Studienwerk e.V.
Avicenna is the latinized name of the great Muslim universal scholar Ibn Sina (980-1037). He is best known for his outstanding work „The Canon of Medicine“ (written in 1013) which was used as a textbook in Europe until the 18th century. Avicenna is considered to have been a bridge builder between the East and the West and is a symbol of scientific excellence.
Avicenna-Studienwerk e.V. is a non-profit organisation recognised by the German state and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) and by donations from private individuals and foundations.
The foundation Mercator has granted support during the foundation period (2013-2018). It continues to support the Avicenna-Studienwerk with funds for the educational programme (2018-2021).
The Avicenna-Studienwerk promotes highly talented and socially committed Muslim students and doctoral candidates of all disciplines registered at state or state-recognized universities in Germany.
The Studienwerk focuses on Muslims as a marginalised community.
However, in some cases – for example, if someone is particularly committed to the interfaith dialogue or has a specific reference to Islam in their studies – persons of other denominations can also apply.
The scholarship consists of an academic programme and a monthly financial grant.
