Scholarships
International Excellence Scholarship Program (IES)
IES enables motivated students of all fields of study from Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia with above-average grades to spend a semester abroad in Berlin. This program gives students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge at the best German universities (HU Berlin, FU Berlin, HWR Berlin, University of Potsdam).
IES Program
During the 6-month stay, the scholarship holders will not only study at the university, but also actively participate in the life of the association. They will also experience German culture first-hand through the cultural events and social meetings. In addition, the scholarship holders take part in the program’s accompanying and developing activities, which they help to shape intensively.
The program participants are supervised by an experienced team. In order to adapt quickly and smoothly in Berlin, the scholarship holders receive highly qualified guidance. They are also supported by our mentors during their first encounters.
Check the statistics
Dive into the fascinating world of data and discover the numbers that drive our success! You will uncover how our numbers reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.
INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM is
Study
You will be able to make an exchange semester in one of the best German universities (HU Berlin, FU Berlin, HWR Berlin, University of Potsdam).
Internship
After passing exams you will start a full time internship to implement your theoretical knowledge in practice and grow professionally.
volunteering
During your study at the university you will make a volunteering on a daily basis to improve your personal and professional skills.
Travel
You will have an opportunity to travel to Germany to experience German culture and language and to other European countries.
Program sequence
Month 1:
- ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES
- UNIVERSITY COURSES
- SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING
Month 2:
- UNIVERSITY COURSES
- INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
- SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING
Month 3:
- UNIVERSITY COURSES
- CULTURAL EVENT
- SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING
Month 4:
- EXAMS PHASE
- CULTURAL EVENTS
- SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING
Month 5:
- INTERNSHIP
- INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
- PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS
Month 6:
- INTERNSHIP
- ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES
- CLOSING GALA
Funding opportunities
FULL SCHOLARSHIP
- Pocket money is paid monthly;
- Health insurance costs are reimbursed;
- The costs for accommodation, enrollment, liability insurance, educational trips, social meetings, administration, welcome package, cultural events, international seminars, consulting, mentoring and workshops are covered directly by COPERNICUS BERLIN;
- Travel expenses are not covered.
PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP PLUS
- Pocket money is paid monthly;
- The costs for accommodation, enrollment, liability insurance, educational trips, social meetings, administration, welcome package, cultural events, international seminars, consulting, mentoring and workshops are covered directly by COPERNICUS BERLIN;
- Travel expenses are not covered;
- Health insurance costs are not covered.
PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- Pocket money is paid monthly;
- The costs for enrollment, liability insurance, educational trips, social meetings, administration, welcome package, cultural events, international seminars, consulting, mentoring and workshops are covered directly by COPERNICUS BERLIN;
- Travel expenses are not covered;
- Health insurance costs are not covered;
- Accommodation costs for two months (1.650 EUR) have to be paid, the rest will be covered by COPERNICUS BERLIN.
A full scholarship of the IES program for one person amounts to Approx. 12,590 EUR and consists of the following parts
- Accommondation: 4,950 EUR
- International seminars: 1,330 EUR
- Administrative costs: 790 EUR
- Pocket money: 1,200 EUR
- Health Insurance: 750 EUR
- Consulting and mentoring: 750 EUR
- Social meetings: 690 EUR
- Workshops and trainings: 540 EUR
- Enrollment fee: 320 EUR
- Educational tour: 560 EUR
- Welcome pack and materials: 350 EUR
- Cultural events: 250 EUR
- Liability insurance: 110 EUR
Application documents
The following documents are required for a successful application:
Complete chronological curriculum vitae (CV) with photo. It should be written chronologically and in German or in English. It is important to mention following categories in your CV: academical background, working/volunteering background.
University transcript of records in original language. It is the preliminary overview of grades of all university subjects, which you receive at the end of each semester after the successful exams. ONLY the students of the first semester need to upload the enrollment certificate.
*Please note that a language certificate for German or English is not required for the application. If the application is complete and convincing, the selection committee will assess the language skills accordingly during the interview.
Requirements
- To be a student in the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
- To be a student (Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate) at the time of starting the scholarship
- Not older than 28 years old at the time of starting the scholarship
- All fields of study
- German language skills at least B1 OR English language skills at least B1
Application procedure
ONLINE APPLICATION
Application period:
October 01 – December 30 (for the following winter semester)
April 01 – June 30 (for the following summer semester)
Only successfully passed applicants will be informed about the next step.
TASK PHASE
Only successfully passed applicants will be informed about the next step.
INTERVIEW PHASE
Only successfully selected applicants will be informed about the results.
Application Status
Curious about the status of your application? If you have submitted your application after September 1, 2023, you can check the status of your application at any time here.
FAQ
During the International Excellence Scholarship Program, scholarship holders will be accommodated in a comfortable and furnished apartment at the Copernicus Berlin Campus in the heart of Berlin.
The apartment consists of 3 rooms: Single bedroom, two-bed room and office space. There are only three participants in the apartment. Each participant has his/her own bed, desk, closet and private internet connection. Kitchen and bathroom are shared by the three participants.
No. Participants should take care of their own food.
No. The costs for water, hot water, heating, internet and cable TV are paid directly by Copernicus Berlin.
The scholarship holders receive a place at the Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin School of Economics and Law or University of Potsdam. The study program is limited to one or two semesters.
There are two semesters: winter semester (application runs from October 1 to December 30) and summer semester (application runs from April 1 to June 30).
The winter semester begins on October 1 and ends on March 31 of the following year.
The summer semester begins on April 1 and ends on September 30.
The internship is an important part of the IES program and is designed to provide international work experience and to develop personal and professional skills. The COPERNICUS BERLIN team will support the IES scholarship holders with advice and assistance. There will be also offered internships at COPERNICUS BERLIN. As part of the IES program, a minimum of 8 weeks of full-time (40 hours per week) internship should be completed.
By volunteering, the scholarship holders contribute to the growth of Copernicus Berlin. They are assigned various tasks on a daily basis.
During the program, the scholarship holders can participate in some trainings and be part of the organizing team. Thus, they will have the opportunity to visit other European countries.
Mostly no. Germany allows entry to travelers from most countries, regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status but it is important to check that this information applies to you and to the country you are travelling from. More information you can find here: https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/en/service/gesetze-und-verordnungen/guv-19-lp/coronavirus-einreiseverordnung.html
YES. Berlin is considered a safe destination for international travelers but as with many other major cities, pickpocketing is somewhat common in the busy city center and crowded tourist attractions. For your safety, its best to always remain alert and be aware of your surroundings.
- Unforgettable time in Germany
- Improvement of German and English language skills
- Personal and professional development
- Intercultural communication
- Support before and during the scholarship
- Networking and making friends
- Deepening of academic knowledge
- Learning to think critically and analytically
- New perspectives after the scholarship
- Educational travel