Types of scholarship

Three different types of scholarships are offered:

Language scholarships serve to deepen knowledge of the German language, to familiarise oneself with the faith and life of the Catholic Church, to get to know the situation of the Christian churches in Germany and to establish personal contacts. Basic knowledge of the German language must already have been acquired in the home country. The language courses for all Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox scholarship holders of the German Catholic Bishops´ Conference take place in Paderborn. A language scholarship will be granted for 11 months (September – July). It serves to prepare the candidates for the “Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber“ (DSH), which means “German Language Test for the Admission of Foreign Study Applicants to Universities”.  In addition, lectures and seminars at the Johann Adam Möhler Institute are part of the scholarship holders' program.

Research scholarships serve to finance a stay for library research in Germany for theology students from Orthodox and Oriental-Orthodox Churches working on a scholarly publication (doctoral thesis or comparable studies) in their home country and who would like to consult German literature as part of their research work. In addition, lecturers of theology at Orthodox faculties, seminars and academies (professors and assistants) can also apply for such a scholarship, if they want to use libraries in Germany to prepare their lectures and seminars or research for their own academic projects. Research scholarships are awarded for a maximum of three months per year and can be used for studies at any German university with a theological faculty. Immediate extension is not possible, but a renewed application in the following year can be sent to us.

Fellowships serve to finance a one or two-semester research stay in Germany for doctoral students or lecturers from Orthodox theological universities. Candidates must have already successfully completed a Master's program. The fellowship supports joint research projects with a cooperation partner at a German university, who must declare his or her willingness to do so in advance. A fellowship can only be applied for once for one semester (5 months) or a maximum of two semesters (10 months).

Further guidance on application deadlines and documents to be submitted for an application is given here.

The scholarship students of the academic year 2013/14 in Paderborn. From left to the right, above: Jovica Radović, Petro Chahlei, Emil Petrov, Vera Pachko, Sergi Shonia, Gabi Gawrieh, below: Luben Levenov, Illia Dudarchyk, Tsvetan Atanasov.