Funding opportunities
There are many different financing options available. This overview is intended to give you an initial impression so that you can get an idea of what is possible. For further information, you can take part in the International Office's regular online info sessions, or make a personal appointment.
- Erasmus+ studies
Erasmus+ Funding covers the following benefits:
- Academic recognition of academic achievements abroad
- Exemption from tuition fees at the host university
- Organizational and administrative support during preparation
- Language support through online courses and tests
- Subsidy for additional costs incurred abroad
- Social Top-Ups for students with a degree of disability of 20% or more, with a chronic illness, with children, as well as first-time university students and working students
Participation requirements
A prerequisite for Erasmus+-funded study abroad is an existing partnership agreement (inter-institutional agreement) between TH Lübeck and the host university abroad. In the table of partner universities, you can filter specifically for THL's Erasmus+ partner universities. Both universities must have a valid Erasmus+ charta for higher education (ECHE).
In addition, you must be regularly enrolled at TH Lübeck - also during the internship.
Duration of stay:
- 2-12 months
- Up to 12 months within a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate program
- Multiple grants are possible within a study cycle, but internship and study grants within a study phase are added together
After a stay funded by Erasmus+, scholarship recipients are expected to submit a final report. This will be published in the Lernraum.
The rights and obligations of Erasmus+ participants are summarized in the Erasmus+ Student Charta.
Funding
Monthly rates for studies abroad
Country group 1: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden - 600 €
Country group 2: Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czechia, Cyprus - 540 €
Country group 3: Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary - 540 €Travel support
Starting with the Erasmus+ Project 2025, students will receive a one-time travel allowance in addition to their monthly stipend for the distance between Lübeck and the location of the host institution, calculated using the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator.
Travel distance “Green Travel” amount Stand Travel amount 10 - 99 km 56 Euro 28 Euro 100 - 499 km 285 Euro 211 Euro 500 - 1999 km 417 Euro 309 Euro 2000 - 2999 km 535 Euro 395 Euro 3000 - 3999 km 785 Euro 580 Euro 4000 - 7999 km 1188 Euro 1188 Euro 8000 km and more 1735 Euro 1735 Euro If you use low-emission modes of transport (bicycle, bus, carpool, or train) for the majority of your journey to the host institution (more than 50% of the journey there and back), you can apply for the increased travel allowance for “green travel.” A maximum of 6 additional travel days for green travel can be added to the scholarship period if necessary. For travel using non-sustainable means of transport, up to 2 travel days can be applied for if necessary.
Are you familiar with the Erasmus+ Interrail Pass? Suggestions for planning your journey by train and bus are summarized in this document.
Sonderzuschüsse
Social Top-Up
Inclusion and diversity are overarching priorities of the Erasmus+ program generation 2021-2027. The program aims to achieve greater equality of opportunity and inclusion in all areas of education through a variety of measures and opportunities. An essential component in the higher education sector is additional financial support for participants with fewer opportunities in the form of top-ups and real cost support.
Erasmus+ participants who meet the criteria for receiving additional support can apply for a Social Top-Up with the International Office. This requires signing a declaration of honor and submitting additional supporting documents. Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses, as well as students with children, who meet the eligibility criteria can choose between additional financial support in the form of a monthly top-up or reimbursement of actual costs. The application for reimbursement of actual costs must be submitted to the DAAD. If a participant has several social target group characteristics (e.g., first-generation academic and working student), only one social top-up is granted. Accordingly, only the evidence for one target group characteristic needs to be submitted.
1. Social top-up for working students
Participants who have been employed for at least 6 months before the start of their studies abroad and who are unable to continue their employment during their stay abroad are entitled to apply for this top-up. The employment must have been subject to social insurance contributions and the monthly net income must be between 450 and 850 Euro (sum of all monthly incoming). Students who are self-employed and/or studying in a dual/part-time programme are not eligible. Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a proof of employment, e.g. employment contract, payslips, employer's certificate.
2. Social top-up for first generation students
Participants whose parents have not acquired an academic degree at a university or a university of applied sciences are eligible for this top-up. A degree from a university of cooperative education (Berufsakademie) leading to a qualification comparable to a university degree is to be treated as an academic degree. A master craftsman's diploma (Meisterbrief) is not to be equated with an academic degree in this context. University courses completed abroad that are not recognized as such in Germany (e.g. physiotherapy) are considered as an academic degree in this context. For participants with a single parent, this regulation only applies to the single parent. Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a declaration signed by your parents that they have not acquired an academic degree.
3. Social top-up for students with accompanying child(ren)
Participants who will be accompanied by their child/children can apply. This also applies to couples. However, double funding of a child is excluded. The prerequisite is that the child or children accompany you for the entire duration of your stay. The subsidy amounts to €250 per family per month, regardless of the number of children. You can also apply if a caregiver (partner) is traveling with you. Proof: Birth certificate and travel documents for the child/children
Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a proof of parenthood (e.g. birth certificate, parental allowances) and travel documents for the child(ren)
If taking your child/children with you on your stay abroad incurs particularly high additional costs, you can instead submit a so-called “Realkostenantrag” a few months in advance, which can cover up to €15,000 per semester.
4. Social Top-Up for students with a disability or a chronic illness that will cause extra costs
Participants with a min Grad der Behinderung (GdB) of 20 or a chronic illness that will cause extra costs while studying abroad can apply. Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a proof of disability (Behindertenausweis) or a medical statement confirming that there is an additional financial need abroad due to the chronic illness.
If the planned stay abroad incurs particularly high additional costs, a so-called “Realkostenantrag” can be submitted a few months in advance, which can cover up to €15,000 per semester, e.g. for an accompanying person. A grant for a preparatory trip to explore the local conditions is also possible. This requires a lot of advance planning, so we ask students to seek advice at an early stage.
Participants with special needs can obtain information on the support measures provided by the universities on the website inclusivemobility.eu.
For further information on the “Realkostenanträge”, please refer to the website of the DAAD.
Application
An Erasmus+ application consists of the following steps:
1. Select a partner university
2. Apply for an exchange place with the International Office, Deadline: 15 January and 1 September (for places still available for the upcoming spring semester)
Please submit the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Letter of motivation
- Transcript of records
- Certificate of enrollment
- Declaration of Honour for a Social and/or Green Travel, if applicable
3. Selection and nomination
The International Office ranks all received applications according to the following selection criteria: Academic performance, motivation and language skills. The departments will be consulted if necessary. According to the ranking list, the students are selected for the available exchange places at the partner universites. The International Office informs the student about the decision and nominates the student at the partner university. The selection for placement at the partner university includes the selection for the Erasmus+ funding.
4. Application at the partner university
After the nomination, the student has to submit the application documents at the partner university. Information is available from the partner university and the International Office.
Mobility with partner countries
With Erasmus+, TH Lübeck students have the opportunity to spend one or two semesters studying at selected partner universities outside Europe and receive financial support for this. There are no tuition fees at the participating host universities, and ECTS credits earned abroad can be recognized towards the degree. Currently, TH Lübeck receives Erasmus+ funding for outgoing mobility to the following universities:
Albania (for students at FB Bau)
Israel
Financial support for stays in partner countries has been determined by the EU Commission at the European level: From Germany to the partner country: €700 per month
In addition, there is a one-time travel allowance calculated based on the distance to the host institution according to the Erasmus Distance Calculator (see above).
Information on the application process can be found under Application. Please note that we only have financial resources to support individuals. Even without Erasmus+ funding, students can study for a semester at these partner universities.
- Erasmus+ intership
Stays abroad can be funded in all Erasmus+ program countries. You can find all relevant information about internships abroad with Erasmus+ on the DAAD website https://eu.daad.de/infos-fuer-einzelpersonen/foerderung-fuer-studierende-und-graduierte/auslandspraktikum/de/.
Erasmus+ Funding covers the following benefits:
- Academic recognition of academic achievements abroad
- Organizational and administrative support during preparation
- Language support through online courses and tests
- Subsidy for additional costs incurred abroad
- Social Top-Ups for students with a degree of disability of 20% or more, with a chronic illness, with children, as well as first-time university students and working students
Participation requirements
Funding is available for internships in companies, research institutions, laboratories, organizations, or other relevant workplaces in a program country (EU member states + Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey). Internships abroad are funded for students in all study cycles and for recent university graduates. This also applies to research assistant internships for students and doctoral candidates in all relevant research institutions. Where possible, internships should be an integral part of the students' study program. However, voluntary internships related to studies are also funded. In terms of workload, participants must generally work full-time, based on the working hours of the host organization.
In addition, you must be regularly enrolled at TH Lübeck - also during the internship.
Duration of stay:
- 2-12 months
- Up to 12 months within a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate program
- Multiple grants are possible within a study cycle, but internship and study grants within a study phase are added together
After a stay funded by Erasmus+, scholarship recipients are expected to submit a final report. This will be published in the Lernraum.
The rights and obligations of Erasmus+ participants are summarized in the Erasmus+ Student Charta.
Funding
Monthly rates for internships abroad
Country group 1: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden - €750
Country group 2: Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czechia, Cyprus - €690
Country group 3: Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary - €690The funding period for internships is limited to 5 months.
Travel support
Starting with the Erasmus+ Project 2025, students will receive a one-time travel allowance in addition to their monthly stipend for the distance between Lübeck and the location of the host institution, calculated using the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator.
Travel distance “Green Travel” amount Standard travel amount 10 - 99 km 56 Euro 28 Euro 100 - 499 km 285 Euro 211 Euro 500 - 1999 km 417 Euro 309 Euro 2000 - 2999 km 535 Euro 395 Euro 3000 - 3999 km 785 Euro 580 Euro 4000 - 7999 km 1188 Euro 1188 Euro 8000 km and more 1735 Euro 1735 Euro If you use low-emission modes of transport (bicycle, bus, carpool, or train) for the majority of your journey to the host institution (more than 50% of the journey there and back), you can apply for the increased travel allowance for “green travel.” A maximum of 6 additional travel days for green travel can be added to the scholarship period if necessary. For travel using non-sustainable means of transport, up to 2 travel days can be applied for if necessary.
Are you familiar with the Erasmus+ Interrail Pass? Suggestions for planning your journey by train and bus are summarized in this document.
Social Top-Up
Inclusion and diversity are overarching priorities of the Erasmus+ program generation 2021-2027. The program aims to achieve greater equality of opportunity and inclusion in all areas of education through a variety of measures and opportunities. An essential component in the higher education sector is additional financial support for participants with fewer opportunities in the form of top-ups and real cost support.
Erasmus+ participants who meet the criteria for receiving additional support can apply for a social top-up with the International Office. This requires signing a declaration of honor and submitting additional supporting documents. Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses, as well as students with children, who meet the eligibility criteria can choose between additional financial support in the form of a monthly top-up or reimbursement of actual costs. The application for reimbursement of actual costs must be submitted to the DAAD. If a participant has several social target group characteristics (e.g., first-generation academic and working student), only one social top-up is granted. Accordingly, only the evidence for one target group characteristic needs to be submitted.
1. Social top-up for working students
Participants who have been employed for at least 6 months before the start of their studies abroad and who are unable to continue their employment during their stay abroad are entitled to apply for this top-up. The employment must have been subject to social insurance contributions and the monthly net income must be between 450 and 850 Euro (sum of all monthly incoming). Students who are self-employed and/or studying in a dual/part-time programme are not eligible. Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a proof of employment, e.g. employment contract, payslips, employer's certificate.
2. Social top-up for first generation students
Participants whose parents have not acquired an academic degree at a university or a university of applied sciences are eligible for this top-up. A degree from a university of cooperative education (Berufsakademie) leading to a qualification comparable to a university degree is to be treated as an academic degree. A master craftsman's diploma (Meisterbrief) is not to be equated with an academic degree in this context. University courses completed abroad that are not recognized as such in Germany (e.g. physiotherapy) are considered as an academic degree in this context. For participants with a single parent, this regulation only applies to the single parent. Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a declaration signed by your parents that they have not acquired an academic degree.
3. Social top-up for students with accompanying child(ren)
Participants who will be accompanied by their child/children can apply. This also applies to couples. However, double funding of a child is excluded. The prerequisite is that the child or children accompany you for the entire duration of your stay. The subsidy amounts to €250 per family per month, regardless of the number of children. You can also apply if a caregiver (partner) is traveling with you. Proof: Birth certificate and travel documents for the child/children
Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a proof of parenthood (e.g. birth certificate, parental allowances) and travel documents for the child(ren)
If taking your child/children with you on your stay abroad incurs particularly high additional costs, you can instead submit a so-called “Realkostenantrag” a few months in advance, which can cover up to €15,000 per semester.
4. Social Top-Up for students with a disability or a chronic illness that will cause extra costs
Participants with a min Grad der Behinderung (GdB) of 20 or a chronic illness that will cause extra costs while studying abroad can apply. Eligible participants will receive a top-up amount to the Erasmus+ grant with an amount of 250 EUR per month. To receive the top-up: Submit a proof of disability (Behindertenausweis) or a medical statement confirming that there is an additional financial need abroad due to the chronic illness.
If the planned stay abroad incurs particularly high additional costs, a so-called “Realkostenantrag” can be submitted a few months in advance, which can cover up to €15,000 per semester, e.g. for an accompanying person. A grant for a preparatory trip to explore the local conditions is also possible. This requires a lot of advance planning, so we ask students to seek advice at an early stage.
Participants with special needs can obtain information on the support measures provided by the universities on the website inclusivemobility.eu.
For further information on the financial top-ups, please refer to the website of the DAAD.
Application
An Erasmus+ application consists of the following steps:
1. Application for an internship position
2. Application to the International Office, application deadline: 1 month before the start of the internship
Please submit the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Letter of motivation
- Transcript of records
- Certificate of enrollment
- Declaration of Honour for a Social and/or Green Travel, if applicable
- Proof of insurance
- Completed Learning Agreement signed by all parties
3. Selection
After reviewing the application documents received, the International Office will decide on funding, taking into account the available scholarship funds.
Contact
Kathrin Liebmann Phone: +49 451 300 5055 E-Mail: kathrin.liebmann@th-luebeck.de Room: A.1 36-0.43 Ulrike Reincke Phone: +49 451 300 5703 E-Mail: ulrike.reincke@th-luebeck.de Room: A.1 36-0.43 - Auslands-BAföG
To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to study abroad, BAföG is available to study abroad to all those who are eligible for regular BAföG funding. Please visit the website of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space for more information.
- Within the European Union and Switzerland, training at vocational schools, technical colleges, higher technical colleges, academies, and universities can be funded from the start until the foreign training qualification is obtained.
- For stays abroad outside the EU, BAföG is generally available for up to one year. This also includes self-contained courses of study in third countries lasting up to one year.
- Those who participate in an exchange program at a partner university can receive BAföG throughout the entire period.
- Financial support abroad is also available for students during their mandatory internship. For this, the internship must last at least twelve weeks if it is completed outside the EU.
The following surcharges are paid in addition to domestic BAföG:
- Monthly foreign surcharge for training outside the EU/Switzerland
- Verifiable tuition fees (up to €5,600 per academic year)
- Travel allowance
- Health insurance allowance
Payments under the BAföG Foreign Supplement Regulation are generally made as a grant and as an additional semester to the domestic BAföG.
The application for foreign BAföG should be submitted to the responsible BAföG foreign office well in advance (at least six months before departure).
Note: The funding rates for BAföG abroad may mean that someone who is not eligible for funding in Germany due to their parents' income may still be eligible for funding abroad. We therefore recommend that you submit an application and find out more.
- DAAD
DAAD Scholarship database
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a wide range of scholarships. It is the world's largest sponsor of international exchange programs for students and researchers. Every year, the DAAD supports more than 100,000 German and international academics from all disciplines during their stays abroad.
Funding is available for study abroad programs, even entire master's degrees, internships, language courses, summer schools, and much more.
The length of time students receive funding always depends on the scholarship in question: the duration ranges from a few weeks (for an internship, for example) to an entire academic year (annual scholarship) or two years for a scholarship for a master's degree abroad.
Depending on the program, scholarships are valid worldwide or only for certain countries. Some are open to students and graduates of all subjects, while others are aimed at students or researchers in specific subject areas or types of higher education institutions.
HAW.International
The DAAD supports students at universities of applied sciences during their stays abroad with the HAW.International program. Students in Bachelor's and Master's programs receive scholarships for a stay abroad as part of their studies, internship or thesis. The duration of the grant varies according to the type of stay. The scholarship includes the following benefits:
- a monthly scholarship installment, which is determined according to the host country,
- a travel allowance, the amount of which varies according to the host country,
- health, accident and personal liability insurance benefits,
- for study visits: Subsidy for tuition fees, if any, up to an upper limit (depending on the destination country),
- for final theses: Subsidy for travel in the host country directly related to the project.
In addition, family benefits for accompanying spouses or partners and children can be granted upon application under certain conditions.
In the case of a disability or chronic illness: upon application, a subsidy may be granted for justified additional costs incurred abroad that are necessary to carry out the project in the host country and that are not covered by third parties; whether and to what extent a subsidy is paid is examined and determined on a case-by-case basis.
Simultaneous funding via Erasmus+ or PROMOS and HAW.International is excluded. Further information on the programme can be found online: HAW.International: Semesteraufenthalte und Abschlussarbeiten and HAW.International: Auslandspraktika.
- Promos
The Promos program supports financially short-term mobilities outside the Erasmus+ program from 6 weeks to a maximum of 6 months. An one-off travel allowance is granted. The amount depends on the destination.
Application
The application for a PROMOS-scholarship has to be submitted to the International Office before 15 February.
Supporting documents:- Application form
- Letter of Motivation
- Transcript of Records
- Enrollment certificate
- Letter of confirmation/ Internship agreement issued by the receiving organization (can be submitted later).
The International Office ranks all received applications according to the following selection criteria: Academic performance, motivation and language skills. The departments will be consulted if necessary. Mobilities to the TH Lübeck's partner universities have priority. According to the ranking list, the International Office informs the students about the funding selection.
Application submitted after 15 February can be considered for funding in case there are still financial funds available.
Contact
Kathrin Liebmann Phone: +49 451 300 5055 E-Mail: kathrin.liebmann@th-luebeck.de Room: A.1 36-0.43 - Further scholarships
There are many other foundations and organizations that award scholarships for specific purposes. Here is a selection:
- Fulbright Germany for stays in the USA: Summer Schools, travel grants, graduate scholarships
- Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes:
- Carlo-Schmid-Programm: Open to all programs: Internships in international organisations, EU institutions and NGOs
- China-Stipendien-Programm: The program supports highly qualified students in all subjects except art and design during a two-semester study program at a Chinese university. It sees itself as a “door opener” to China and is therefore also aimed at applicants who have had little or no contact with China to date. Fifteen scholarships are awarded annually.
- ERP-Stipendienprogramm: One- to two-year study or research stays at leading universities in the USA: for young professionals in all subjects.
- Haniel-Stipendienprogramm: Postgraduate studies and subsequent internship abroad; economic interest is a prerequisite: For graduates of all subjects from bachelor's level onwards.
- Metropolen in Mittel-, Südost- und Osteuropa: The economic and political developments of recent years make it particularly exciting to engage intensively with the countries of Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet region. Launched in 2004, the Metropolen in Osteuropa scholarship program is aimed at cosmopolitan German students who would like to study or carry out a research project in one of these countries..
- McCloy-Stipendienprogramm: Since 1983, the McCloy Scholarship Program of the German National Academic Foundation has enabled future leaders from all disciplines to pursue a two-year master's degree at Harvard Kennedy School. In addition to qualifying participants for careers in public and international organizations, the program aims to promote transatlantic understanding and to foster lasting connections among McCloy scholars beyond their two years of joint study.
- Scholarship program of Zhejiang Province (VR China) with Schleswig-Holstein: The “Partnership Scholarship” for the state of Schleswig-Holstein offers Schleswig-Holstein students with above-average grades the opportunity to study in Zhejiang Province and promotes cooperation between Zhejiang Province and the state of Schleswig-Holstein in the fields of education and research. Details about the scholarhip and the courses offered can be found in the appendix.
Another option for securing financing for a stay abroad is education and student loans. These loans, which usually have low interest rates, offer targeted financial support and can often be flexibly adjusted. Unlike BAföG, the German government's education loan program is independent of your own income and assets as well as those of your parents or spouse or partner, and can also be taken out in addition to BAföG: Bildungskredit.
