ERP Scholarship 2027

Do you want to spend time at an American university for your masters degree, a research phase or courses for your PhD? Apply for an ERP scholarship! Designed to complement the McCloy-Stipendienprogramm der Studienstiftung of the Studienstiftung (German Academic Scholarship Foundation), the ERP Scholarship Program funds one- to two-year research and study stays as part of Master's or PhD programs at top US universities. The aim of the program is to strengthen transatlantic relations and to promote as well as connect highly qualified graduates aspiring to work in public service (e.g. in ministries, foundations, think tanks, international organizations, NGOs, or in science and research). 

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineSeptember 20, 2026
• Study LevelMasters , PhD
• SponsorGerman National Academic Foundation
• School to study
• Course to study
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Financial support

• Monthly stipend of $2,500
• One-time starting fee of 500 USD
• Travel expense allowance of USD 1,000
• Tuition fee subsidy of up to USD 25,000 per academic year

Non-material support

• Admission to the German National Academic Foundation (access to non-material support)
• Inclusion in a global ERP network
• Kick-off event in the run-up to the funding
• Virtual semester kick-off at the start of the funding period
• Annual meeting of scholarship recipients in the USA during the funding period
• Direct contact person during the funding period

It is possible to combine this scholarship with other scholarships (e.g., DAAD or US university scholarships).

Requirements

• The program is open to young professionals from all disciplines except artistic fields of study (music, art, acting, film).
• Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor's degree by the application deadline (September 20th); the most recent university degree (including doctorate) must not be more than five years old. The date of the degree certificate applies.
• An excellent degree is expected, at least "fully satisfactory" for law students.
• Prior funding from the German National Academic Foundation is not necessary.
• Admission to an American university is not required at the time of application for the ERP scholarship.
• Since the ERP scholarship program was designed to complement the McCloy scholarship program, study projects at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government cannot be supported.

If you are interested in the ERP scholarship program but do not hold German citizenship, you can find out here whether you meet the formal application requirements.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Please complete the following application documents (DOC, 0.2 MB) . Please be sure to read the information in the document "FAQ and Application Instructions" (PDF, 0.2 MB) .
• Please note that applications must be submitted as a PDF attachment via email. Sending application documents by post is not necessary.
• Following a preliminary selection, promising applicants are invited to a selection seminar.
• Applications to the desired US universities and preparations for the internship are the responsibility of the applicants. 

For more information, kindly visit the ERP webpage.