Joint press release with the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst) of the State of Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg Scholarship Programme for Refugees from Syria enters the second round

Prospective students are once again invited to apply for the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship Programme for Refugees from Syria until 31 March 2016. With this programme, the federal state aims to support particularly talented young people in their studies at a university in Baden-Württemberg.

“Integration also means enabling participation in education and the labour market, and opening up perspectives in this way,” says Science Minister Bauer. In the light of the latest developments in the Syrian conflict, it unfortunately appears unlikely that the refugees will be able to return home soon. “The success of the scholarship programme launched in spring 2015 confirms that it is not only an act of pragmatic humanism but also in our own obvious interest to make use of the existing qualifications of refugees of the Syrian civil war.”

Dr. Stefan Wolf, President of the Employers’ Association Südwestmetall: “The local economy is helping refugees to quickly become qualified professionals. Südwestmetall is also assuming responsibility by funding five scholarships and making intensive publicity among companies to encourage further involvement.” A total of 55 scholarships will be offered in the second application round. Minister Bauer: “I thank Südwestmetall for this exemplary commitment.”

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) developed the Baden-Württemberg programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, and takes care of both the call for applications and the selection of scholarship holders by independent expert commissions. “Education is the key to integration. We are therefore delighted about the initiative in Baden-Württemberg,” says DAAD President Prof. Margret Wintermantel.

The programme is aimed at particularly talented refugees of the Syrian civil war, who have proven their personal and academic aptitude in a written and oral selection procedure. The Baden-Württemberg “Programme II” includes a monthly merit-based study support amounting to €300. Prospective students are additionally provided with necessary counselling and orientation services and the costs of a preparatory language course are also covered if required. This year, the programme is once again under the patronage of the Syrian philosopher Sadiq al-Azm.

Applications can be submitted via the online application portal of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) until 31 March 2016.