SIST LMU Scholarship supports international LMU students and doctoral researchers affected by disability, chronic illness or refugee background with short-term financial aid. The SIST LMU Scholarship awards up to €900 per month for up to four months to eligible registered LMU students demonstrating financial need.
The scholarship is administered by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) with funding from DAAD. Applications must be submitted electronically and applicants must already be enrolled full-time at LMU and resident in Germany to qualify.
SIST LMU Scholarship Benefits
- Successful applicants can receive up to €900 per month
- Maximum period of funding is up to 4 months
- Maximum headline value up to €3,600
SIST LMU Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- International students and doctoral students
- Studies affected by a disability, chronic illness and/or refugee background
- Applicants must already be registered at LMU in a regular full-time degree or doctoral programme
- Applicants must reside in Germany
- Exchange students, programme students and students taking preparatory courses are excluded
- Applicants should not have obtained their Abitur and/or a previous German university degree in Germany or at a German school abroad
- Applicants must not already be entitled to statutory or comparable financial support such as BAföG
- Applicants need to demonstrate financial need (LMU assesses against the current maximum BAföG rate of €992)
- Income thresholds: full eligibility if earnings no more than €695/month; reduced award if earnings between €695 and €1,345; ineligible if earnings exceed €1,345/month
- Not awarded to applicants already receiving other scholarship funding
- Cumulative funding restriction: fewer than 30 months of previous scholarship support or fewer than three one-year scholarships
- Applicants who have already received the SIST LMU Equality Scholarship cannot receive it again
- Cannot simultaneously apply for the SIST LMU Study Scholarship, Equality Scholarship and Completion Scholarship
Required Documents
- A detailed CV;
- Amotivation letter;
- A formal statement of financial need;
- Proof of impairment and/or qualifying refugee background;
- academic records showing completed courses;
- Current LMU enrolment confirmation;
- Passport and residence permit copies;
- German bank-account details;
- German tax number; and
- relevant marriage, spouse-income or children’s documents where applicable.
One of the more demanding requirements is the need for two current academic references from LMU teaching staff.
How to Apply for SIST LMU Scholarship
- Apply for admission at LMU and confirm enrolment full-time at LMU
- Check disability, chronic-illness or refugee-background documentation
- Calculate current monthly income against the €695 and €1,345 thresholds and complete the financial-need declaration
- Ask two LMU lecturers for references early (referees must send completed and countersigned reference forms directly to LMU)
- Download current academic record and enrolment certificate
- Prepare passport, residence permit, German bank-account details and German tax number
- Add spouse or child documentation if relevant
- Upload the complete application electronically
- Ensure the two referees submit their recommendations separately
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the SIST LMU Equality Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply based on LMU guidance.
Who is eligible for the SIST LMU Equality Scholarship?
The scholarship is aimed at international students and doctoral students registered full-time at LMU whose studies are affected by a disability, chronic illness and/or refugee background. Applicants must reside in Germany and cannot be exchange, programme or preparatory-course students.
How much funding does the scholarship provide?
Successful applicants can receive up to €900 per month for a maximum of four months, with a maximum headline value of up to €3,600. Funding is provided subject to the availability and approval of DAAD scholarship funds.
When is the application deadline?
The current application deadline stated is 22 October 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically by this date according to the LMU guidance provided.
Can I apply if I am studying abroad and plan to start at LMU next year?
No. The scholarship is not intended for applicants who are overseas and planning to apply to LMU next year. Applicants must already be registered at LMU in a regular full-time degree or doctoral programme when applying.
What documentation is required for the application?
LMU requires a detailed CV, a motivation letter, a formal statement of financial need, proof of impairment and/or qualifying refugee background, academic records, current LMU enrolment confirmation, passport and residence permit copies, German bank-account details, German tax number, and relevant family documents where applicable.
Are academic references required?
Yes. Two current academic references from LMU teaching staff are required. Referees must send the completed and countersigned reference forms directly to LMU. For single-major students both should be from that subject; for two majors one from each.
How does employment income affect eligibility?
Income influences the award: applicants earning no more than €695/month may be eligible for the full scholarship; earnings between €695 and €1,345 may reduce the scholarship; earnings above €1,345/month make the applicant ineligible under stated conditions.
Can I receive this scholarship alongside other scholarships?
No. LMU states the Equality Scholarship will not be awarded to applicants who are already receiving other scholarship funding. There is also a cumulative funding restriction relative to prior scholarship support duration.
Can previous recipients apply again?
No. An applicant who has already received the SIST LMU Equality Scholarship cannot receive it again. Additionally, applicants cannot simultaneously apply for the SIST LMU Study Scholarship, Equality Scholarship and Completion Scholarship.
How is financial need assessed?
LMU assesses financial need against the current maximum BAföG rate of €992. Applicants must submit a formal statement of financial need and provide documentation; incomplete files cannot be processed, so full documentation is essential.
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