Hilde Domin Programme

1. First, verify whether you meet the application requirements (bachelor’s/master’s degree or doctoral studies). In particular, make sure your chosen degree program is offered in your preferred language at Universität Hamburg and whether you can provide the required proof of language proficiency for your desired degree program. Find information on language requirements on the Campus Center webpages.
2. Complete the online application form and attach all required supporting documents (bachelor’s/master’s degree or doctoral studies) as a single PDF file. The online application form will be available on this website prior to the next application deadline. Only complete applications will be processed.
3. After a positive assessment of your documents, we will nominate you for the DAAD Hilde Domin Programme.
4. If you are not enrolled at Universität Hamburg, apply for a university place in your chosen program as soon as possible (Campus Center application information). We recommend you apply to other universities at the same time in order to improve your chances of acceptance.
5. After assessing your application, the DAAD will contact you by email and ask for your application for the Hilde Domin Programme.

Individuals applying to the Hilde Domin Programme for a scholarship for a bachelor’s or master’s degree program at Universität Hamburg must fulfill the following DAAD requirements:

• They can prove or credibly demonstrate a threat to their personal well-being or safety.
• The last academic qualification or enrollment is not more than 2 years old (some exceptions apply, see FAQs)
• Applicants may not currently reside in Germany or another country of the European Union.
• Scholarships are not available for the following degree programs: law, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine.
• Scholarships are not awarded for a second bachelor’s or master’s degree.

The following requirements also strictly apply for a nomination by Universität Hamburg.

• The chosen degree program must be offered as a tuition-fee-free bachelor’s or master’s degree (see the courses and degrees offered at Universität Hamburg).
• In Germany, a recognized bachelor’s degree is required for master’s degree programs, and a recognized higher education entrance eligibility is required for bachelor’s degree programs.
• A B2 or comparable level of language proficiency in the language of your chosen degree program is also required.

Individuals applying to the Hilde Domin Programme for a scholarship for doctoral studies at Universität Hamburg must fulfill the following DAAD requirements:

• They can prove or credibly demonstrate a threat to their personal well-being or safety.
• The last academic qualification or enrollment is not more than 2 years old (some exceptions apply, see FAQs).
• Applicants may not currently reside in Germany or another country of the European Union.
• Scholarships are not awarded for a second doctoral degree.

The following requirements also strictly apply for a nomination by Universität Hamburg.

• A supervisory commitment from a professor at Universität Hamburg must be provided (see FAQs).

Individuals applying for a scholarship from the Hilde Domin Programme for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at Universität Hamburg must submit the following documentation via the online application form:

• letter of motivation (explanation of professional and personal motives for studying at Universität Hamburg, max of one page)
• explanation of personal risk/danger (max of one page)
• CV

If you are not enrolled at Universität Hamburg, you must submit the following:

• endorsement of recognition for your last academic qualification (instructions for applying for an endorsement of recognition)
• proof of language skills (German or English, depending on the course you are applying for): Only language certificates that are accepted for the desired degree program at Universität Hamburg will be accepted. Please find out which language certificates in German or English are accepted for your desired degree program at Universität Hamburg.

If you are already enrolled at Universität Hamburg, you must submit the following:

• current proof of enrollment
• copy of your STiNE course account

Individuals applying for a scholarship from the Hilde Domin Programme for doctoral studies at Universität Hamburg must submit the following documentation via the online application form:

• letter of motivation (explanation of professional and personal motives for studying at Universität Hamburg, max of one page)
• explanation of personal risk/danger (max of one page)
• CV
• master’s degree diploma (or equivalent)

If you are not enrolled at Universität Hamburg, you must submit the following:

• supervisory commitment from a professor at Universität Hamburg (see FAQs)
• proof of language skills: language certificate min. B2 in either German or English

If you are already enrolled at Universität Hamburg, you must submit the following:

• current proof of enrollment
• proof of admission to doctoral studies

May I also study at Universität Hamburg if I have been nominated by another university? May I study at another university if I have been nominated by Universität Hamburg?
Yes. The scholarship is not bound to the institution that nominated you. A nomination from more than one institution does not provide any advantage in the application process.

Can I study for a bachelor’s degree if I cannot speak German?
No. All undergraduate degrees at Universität Hamburg are taught in German.

Will I get a university place if I have been awarded a scholarship?
No. A successful application to the Hilde Domin Programme does not provide a place at Universität Hamburg or any other university. You must apply for a university place separately.

How much funding does the scholarship provide? What are the selection criteria?
The DAAD provides details on the scholarship and the assessment process.

I was not enrolled at a university during the last 2 years. Can I still be nominated for a scholarship?
The DAAD requires applicants to have been enrolled in a degree program or for the purposes of research at a university in the last 2 years. However, if you were not able to pursue your studies or your research for personal reasons, you may still be able to be nominated. The DAAD makes exceptions in the following cases:

• pregnancy and childbirth
• caring for children under the age of 12 (maximum of 3 years per child)
• caring for a dependent
• disability or chronic illness
• long-term serious illness
• military service

If one of these reasons applies to you, contact the program coordinator at hilde-domin-programm"AT"uni-hamburg.de. The nomination may need to be confirmed by the DAAD.

I would like to apply for a scholarship from the Hilde Domin Programme to pursue doctoral studies. How can I find a supervisor for my doctoral studies?
Nominations for doctoral studies require a high level of subject compatibility and must also be supported by one academic supervisor. If you need assistance finding a supervisor for doctoral studies, please contact us by email: hilde-domin-programm"AT"uni-hamburg.de.

Universität Hamburg does not offer the course I want or does not offer it in English. What can I do?
Any university in Germany can submit a nomination to the Hilde Domin Programme. We recommend you approach a university that offers your chosen degree program and request they nominate you. The DAAD’s Higher Education Compass provides an overview of all German universities and the courses they offer.