15 Years, 1,800 Opportunities

When Germany Scholarships were first awarded at the University of Bremen in the winter semester 2011/2012, not everyone was immediately enthusiastic: support for elites and possible influence from external partners were among the most frequently mentioned points of criticism.

But it quickly became clear that these concerns were unfounded:
In the past 15 years, nearly 1,800 scholarships have been awarded to committed and high-achieving students, with particular support given to those studying under difficult circumstances, such as first-generation students, students with caregiving responsibilities, or students with disabilities. That Bremen structured the program in this way was — and remains — far from self-evident.

This was made possible through close collaboration between the University and numerous sponsors: companies, foundations, associations, and dedicated private individuals from the region. The Alumni of the University of Bremen e.V. has also been involved for ten years with several scholarships. In this way, the Germany Scholarship has developed into an important component of talent promotion and equal opportunities at the University of Bremen.

A program that brings people together

What is special: While many other universities have a 1:1 assignment between scholarship holder and sponsor, the University of Bremen focuses on encounters and exchange on a larger scale. This is made possible by a diverse accompanying program that has been continuously developed over the years.

In the new funding year, “BremenConnect” is now being launched – an offering that enables scholarship holders and sponsors to attend cultural, political, and future-oriented events together.

Barbara Hoffmann-Gabel, who became aware of the program through the Senior Citizens’ Study Program and has been a sponsor herself since 2024, is also convinced of the model:

“I have experienced myself how challenging studying can be without financial support. With the Germany Scholarship, I can now support young people and accompany them in their development – that is very meaningful to me.”

Ceremonial Retrospective on 11 December

The anniversary will be celebrated on 11 December 2025 from 6 p.m. in the GW1 lecture hall with a vibrant program. In addition to the ceremonial presentation of the certificates, guests can look forward to a review of 15 years of dedication, musical contributions, and personal stories from former scholarship holders.

Would You Like to Make a Difference Too?

With just 150 euros per month – which is doubled by the federal government – private individuals, companies, foundations, or associations can finance a scholarship and support talented students in a targeted way.

You can find further information on sponsorship at:
www.uni-bremen.de/deutschlandstipendium