Through LMU’s Deutschlandstipendium program, private donors and the federal government work together to support the next generation of scholars. With as little as 150 euros a month, you can support students who, in addition to maintaining strong academic performance, demonstrate social responsibility or have successfully overcome obstacles in their educational and personal journeys.
LMU has been awarding Deutschlandstipendium scholarships since 2011. While there were initially only 73 scholarships from 11 sponsors, the numbers have increased sevenfold over the years. Thousands of students have now received a total of several million euros. Some sponsors have been involved since the program was launched, including Stadtsparkasse München, Münchener Universitätsgesellschaft, alumni of the Faculty of Business Administration, and Allianz Deutschland.
However, the program's success cannot be taken for granted and can only be maintained if people actively participate in it. Students benefit not only from the financial support of 150 euros, which the federal government doubles to 300 euros. Just as important is the non-material support. Companies, for example, invite students to informal discussions, and supervisors offer themselves as sparring partners for students to share their professional experience with them – often even beyond their studies. But it's also about life experience: despite being 80 years old, the oldest private sponsor to date even took the scholarship holders he sponsored on trips to the Alps – including snacks.
There are many reasons to choose a Deutschlandstipendium at LMU. In the current Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking 2026, LMU jumped from 38th place in 2025 to 34th place. This means that LMU continues to be one of the best universities in the world. In an EU-wide comparison, it also maintains its strong position with a ranking of 2nd.
But it is not only LMU that is first-class, but also its Deutschlandstipendium recipients. When talented and committed students network, great things can happen. For example, scholarship recipients have joined forces to raise further Deutschlandstipendium scholarships for other students. Others have launched LMU taster sessions and LMUniAbende, where high school students from non-academic backgrounds or with a migrant background can learn about studying at university. In addition, lecture series and regular get-togethers have been initiated, where scholarship holders can get to know each other and other fields of study better.
The importance of cutting-edge scientific research is reflected in LMU's research initiatives: equality and inclusion, internationalization, and digitization are the three cross-cutting themes at LMU that represent important starting points for the targeted implementation of these initiatives. Only when researchers at LMU, in Germany, and around the world can focus on their research without existential worries can current international issues and problems be tackled. This financial support is made possible by the Deutschlandstipendium at LMU. The funding enables students and young researchers to continue to address the future issues of our world and to study and conduct research without financial worries.
In addition, the financial support ensures that some of the scholarship holders can continue to volunteer in their free time and support people in their communities. For this reason, the scholarship program not only looks for excellent grades, but also for volunteer work. Support is given to young people who have to overcome obstacles and disruptions in their own lives. Because they know how best to help others in need.
Past crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have made it clear that supporting students must always be one of society's most important tasks. Such times can be unusually stressful for students, which is why they need and deserve support. In addition, the Deutschlandstipendium clearly demonstrates what it means to ensure educational justice and equal opportunities. In addition to financial relief, the non-material support is a sign of appreciation and belief in the commitment of these young talents and in their ability to not let themselves be discouraged by their achievements, efforts, and flexibility—even in times of crisis.
Diversity means variety. And LMU is not only diverse in terms of its 18 faculties and around 300 degree programs. Promoting equality and inclusion as a cross-cutting task at all levels is the central goal for the more than 800 professors and around 4,800 academic staff in research and teaching. The proportion of female professors is currently 27.2%, while women make up 50.8% of academic staff. The nearly 49,500 students also contribute to the implementation of equal opportunities at LMU. More than 60% of students are women and around 18.6% are international students.
However, studying at LMU is not a matter of course for many young people. Not only are academic expectations rising, but the cost of living in Munich and the surrounding area is also skyrocketing. Many students have to juggle a part-time job or even additional volunteer work with their studies – a major challenge.
The Deutschlandstipendium at LMU therefore aims to provide talented students with moral and financial support so that they can achieve their goals – regardless of gender, family background, physical and mental circumstances, or social or cultural origin.
There are many scholarship recipients at LMU who are all fighting for their goals in their own personal way, together with their sponsors. Some come from non-academic households and have worked their way up to university despite considerable resistance and financial problems. The same applies to refugee students who are now helping their compatriots to integrate in Germany and on their way to studying. Others, despite their busy study schedules, are committed to helping the vulnerable in society, for example by working in soup kitchens, providing free legal advice, or organizing fundraising campaigns.
In addition to social engagement, political engagement is also an important concern for many scholarship recipients. In order to get a larger young electorate interested in politics, students have developed an election app in their spare time, for example. Some students are also wheelchair users, blind, or terminally ill—and yet they master every day of their studies anew. They all illustrate how the Deutschlandstipendium promotes a culture of equality and diversity at LMU. The scholarship program can boast of supporting talented students who, in addition to their talent and personality, also have a sense of what drives our society forward.
The Deutschlandstipendium at LMU supports students who take on special responsibilities in their social environment, family, club, or social institution. Students who have successfully overcome obstacles in their own lives and education or who stand out for their talent are also supported. This does not reduce any BAföG payments that students may receive. However, LMU cannot award these scholarships on its own, which is why your support as a company, foundation, association, alumnus, alumna, or private individual is needed.
For those who support the Deutschlandstipendium, the commitment pays off twice: with only 150 euros per month, you can support young academics, enabling them to study successfully without financial worries. The amount is intended to be both a reward and an incentive: in return, the federal government doubles the sum to €300. This means that the €1,800 annual funding per scholarship holder becomes €3,600 per year—a substantial sum that is paid directly into the accounts of the recipients each month without any deductions.
All sponsors can claim their financial contributions for tax purposes. In addition, scholarships can be awarded based on academic and social criteria if desired. Of course, sponsors of the Deutschlandstipendium at LMU are also recognized as part of their public relations work, for example at the annual Deutschlandstipendium certificate award ceremony. You will also be networking with one of the best and most renowned universities in Germany and will be able to establish contacts with scholarship holders, other sponsors, and university officials.
Companies can integrate the Deutschlandstipendium into their corporate social responsibility strategy; foundations and associations can fulfill their founding purpose through their contribution; and alumni have the opportunity to give something back to their alma mater. But private individuals can also support the scholarship culture, take on social responsibility, and support Munich as a center of science and research. The close contact is enriching for both sponsors and recipients, allowing them to learn from each other. This often leads to an employment contract and, not infrequently, even a friendship.
The students who receive funding are not only particularly talented, but also have genuine personalities. In addition to good grades, voluntary work and overcoming particular hurdles in their lives are also taken into account when awarding scholarships. Many former scholarship holders are now successful entrepreneurs themselves – and in turn support young scientists with a Deutschlandstipendium.
On our information website for students, we present some inspiring stories from Deutschlandstipendium recipients.
The Deutschlandstipendium at LMU is not an exclusively elitist form of financial support. In addition to academic performance, overcoming particular hurdles in one's life is also taken into account when awarding scholarships. These include illness, disability, and caring for relatives or children in need of care. Among the scholarship recipients supported since 2011 are true fighters who never gave up—even in the face of setbacks or seemingly hopeless situations.
This is particularly evident in the selected scholarship recipients who are featured on our website for students.
Here you will find all the information you need about supporting the Deutschlandstipendium at LMU at a glance!
If you would also like to support young talents at LMU, please contact us by email or phone at +49 89 2180-1263. We will inform you about how your donation can be used and assist you in maintaining contact with your scholarship recipients. We look forward to your support!
You can also make a donation directly on this page or via bank transfer to our donation account. Please review our privacy policy.
You are also welcome to donate to [your institution] by bank transfer. Please use the following bank details:
Recipient: LMU München KdöR
IBAN: DE16 7002 0270 0015 6232 55
BIC: HYVEDEMMXXX
Bank: HypoVereinsbank Munich
Reference: Please enter the name of the institution/chair/project here
Do you require a donation receipt? Please do not forget to include your full address with the transfer (you can also send it by email to stiftungen@lmu.de).
LMU would like to thank all sponsors of the Deutschlandstipendium for their generous support. Your attitude and actions in promoting young academics are exemplary. And the results of your efforts go far beyond caring for the personal development of individual scholarship recipients. They also lead to the stabilization of a society in which people stand up for one another. A cultural change initiated by this commitment is desirable in the long term and sustainable.
We would also like to thank the many sponsors of the Deutschlandstipendium who wish to remain anonymous.
LMU Diversity Management
Diversity Management Coordinator, Germany Scholarship Program Coordinator