German-Ukrainian Grants 2026: 9 Programmes for Researchers, Students, Business and NGOs

German-Ukrainian Grants 2026: 9 Programmes for Researchers, Students, Business and NGOs

From EUR 992 per month for students to EUR 25,000 for business development – Germany is the single most diversified donor for Ukraine among all bilateral partners. No other country offers such a wide spectrum of programmes: scholarships for researchers, grants for cultural organisations, support for small businesses, and fellowships for civil society activists. Below is a overview “German-Ukrainian Grants” of nine programmes from DAAD, the Humboldt Foundation, DFG, KAS, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, GIZ, and Goethe-Institut – with exact deadlines and direct links. All programmes verified as of April 2026.

Programmes covered
9 programmes
Nearest deadline
13 May 2026
Target sectors
Research, business, NGOs, culture
Maximum amount
up to EUR 25,000 (business)

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Researchers and Scientists (German-Ukrainian Grants)

Three distinct programmes for different career stages – from Master’s student to experienced researcher

1. DAAD Future Ukraine – Research Grants 2026

Organiser: DAAD | daad-ukraine.org  ·  Who can apply: Master’s students, PhD candidates, postdocs, lecturers at Ukrainian universities

Stipend for a research stay in Germany (1–6 months). Core eligibility requirement: enrolled or employed at a state-recognised Ukrainian university or research institution – regardless of current physical location. This means displaced individuals abroad are also eligible. All disciplines. A German host supervisor must be identified and agreed upon before the application.

Monthly stipend: EUR 992–2,300 (depending on career level)
Deadline: 13 May 2026 (DAAD portal; open from 1 April)

Official DAAD Ukraine announcement →

Humboldt Research Fellowship

2. Humboldt Research Fellowship (Humboldt Foundation)

Organiser: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation | humboldt-foundation.de  ·  Who can apply: Postdocs and experienced researchers (all countries)

One of the most prestigious individual research fellowships in the world. The applicant freely chooses the research topic and host institution in Germany. ~500 fellowships per year. Two tracks: postdoctoral researchers (PhD within last 4 years) and experienced researchers (PhD within last 12 years). No restrictions on discipline or nationality.

Monthly stipend: EUR 3,000 (postdocs) · EUR 3,600 (experienced researchers)
Deadline: Rolling – apply any time; selection meetings: March, July, November

Humboldt Research Fellowship →

Ukraine Support and Global Minds Initiative

3. DFG – Ukraine Support and Global Minds Initiative

Organiser: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft | dfg.de  ·  Who can apply: Ukrainian researchers in joint projects + early-career scientists

DFG supports complementary mechanisms. First, Ukraine researcher support: a German partner includes a Ukrainian researcher in their DFG project and requests funding for their living expenses in Ukraine (up to EUR 1,000/month). Second and third, the Walter Benjamin Programme (early career, immediately after PhD) and the Emmy Noether Programme (for building an independent research group) – both open to international applicants as part of the German Federal Government’s Global Minds Initiative.

Support: Up to EUR 1,000/month in Ukraine (partnership) | Salary + project costs (Global Minds)
Deadline: Rolling (Ukraine support: until 31 Aug 2026; Global Minds: rolling)

DFG Global Minds Initiative →

German research grants are just part of the picture for 2026. Horizon Europe, MSCA and dozens of other international programmes for researchers and institutions are profiled in the GetGrant article “Grant Guide 2026: 46 Programmes for Scientists, Business, IT and NGOs →”

Students, Activists and Civil Society Professionals (German-Ukrainian Grants)

Three of Germany’s leading political foundations support students who combine academic study with civic engagement

4. KAS International Scholarship (Konrad Adenauer Foundation)

Organiser: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung | kas.de  ·  Who can apply: Master’s and doctoral students from Ukraine (under 30)

A full scholarship for non-EU students studying in Germany who share the values of democracy and human rights and are actively engaged in academic or civic work. Ukraine is explicitly listed as a priority country. Beyond the monthly stipend, the programme includes health insurance support up to EUR 120/month, a family allowance, partial reimbursement of tuition fees, and access to KAS’s international scholar network and seminar programme. Minimum 4 semesters. Ukrainian applicants apply via the KAS regional track through the KAS Ukraine office.

Monthly stipend: EUR 850 (Master’s) · EUR 1,200 (PhD) + supplementary benefits
Deadline: 15 July 2026 (at 12:00 noon) | Apply via KAS Ukraine office

KAS International Scholarship →

Friedrich Ebert Foundation

5. FES International Scholarship (Friedrich Ebert Foundation)

Organiser: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung | fes.de  ·  Who can apply: Students and PhD candidates from post-Soviet countries including Ukraine

One of Germany’s six Bundestag-affiliated foundations, funded by the federal budget. FES supports students and activists aligned with the values of social democracy, workers’ rights, equality and social justice. The programme explicitly targets individuals active in trade unions, youth organisations, student councils, and NGOs. Beyond the stipend, it includes an international seminar programme and funding for study or research stays abroad. PhD candidates can apply at any time without a fixed seasonal deadline.

Monthly stipend: EUR 992 (Master’s) · EUR 1,500 (PhD) + insurance and family allowance
Deadline: 31 May 2026 (summer semester, Master’s) | Rolling (PhD)

FES International Scholarship →

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Scholarship

6. Heinrich Böll Stiftung Scholarship

Organiser: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung | boell.de  ·  Who can apply: International Master’s students and PhD candidates, including from Ukraine

The foundation of Germany’s Green Party supports students who share the values of ecology, democracy, gender equality, and non-violence. Particularly well suited for Ukrainian environmental activists, human rights defenders, LGBTQ+ advocates, and civil society professionals who study or plan to study at a German university. Competition runs twice per year. Critically, international applicants who have not yet relocated to Germany at the time of application are eligible – meaning Ukrainians can apply from Ukraine.

Monthly stipend: EUR 992 (Master’s) · EUR 1,400 (PhD) + EUR 100 mobility allowance (PhD)
Deadline: 1 September 2026 (autumn round; portal opens 15 July 2026)

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Scholarship →

FES, KAS and Böll represent three distinct value systems and three different applicant profiles. KAS aligns with Christian-democratic values; FES with social democracy and labour rights; Böll with ecology and human rights. You cannot apply to all three simultaneously – choose the one that best reflects your convictions. Before applying, read the GetGrant guide “How to Choose a Grant: 10 Criteria and a Checklist →”

Researchers and Activists at Risk (German-Ukrainian Grants)

A dedicated programme for those facing threats due to their research or civic activities

7. Philipp Schwartz Initiative (Humboldt Foundation) – Prepare Now

Organiser: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation | humboldt-foundation.de  ·  Who can apply: PhD-holding researchers at risk

The 17th round closed on 13 February 2026. The 18th round is expected to open in December 2026. For Ukrainian applicants, simplified documentation applies: rather than a formal third-party threat assessment, a self-written report on the at-risk situation (one to two pages, English or German) is sufficient. The application must be submitted by a German university or research institution. Now is the right time to identify a potential host, agree on a research agenda, and prepare documents in advance.

Fellowship: ~EUR 2,670–2,870/month + EUR 20,000 to host institution
Next deadline: ~February 2027 (18th round opens ~December 2026)

Philipp Schwartz Initiative →

Cultural Organisations and the Arts (German-Ukrainian Grants)

Goethe-Institut regularly opens new support waves for Ukraine’s cultural sector

9. Goethe-Institut Resilience Fund – Next Wave Coming

Organiser: Goethe-Institut Ukraine | goethe.de/ukraine  ·  Who can apply: Registered Ukrainian cultural organisations

A recurring programme of Goethe-Institut Ukraine that annually launches new support waves for organisations working in theatre, dance, film, music, literature, visual arts, performance, architecture, libraries, and museums. The 2026 wave had a deadline of 23 March 2026 and has closed. Goethe-Institut regularly announces new rounds – follow goethe.de/ukraine for updates. Typical grant: up to EUR 10,000 per project (up to EUR 12,000 with strong justification), implementation period 3 months.

Typical amount: up to EUR 10,000 (up to EUR 12,000 with justification)
Status: Current wave closed – monitor goethe.de/ukraine for the next round

Goethe-Institut Ukraine – Resilience Fund →

Cultural grants in 2026 go well beyond Goethe-Institut. Further open programmes for artists, theatres, museums, and media organisations in Ukraine are listed in the GetGrant section “Cultural Grants and Opportunities 2026 →”

Summary Table: All German Programmes for Ukraine 2026

Programme Amount Deadline For whom
DAAD Future Ukraine EUR 992–2,300/month 13 May 2026 Researchers at Ukrainian universities
FES International Scholarship EUR 992–1,500/month 31 May 2026 (Master’s) / Rolling (PhD) Social-democracy activists, trade union members, NGO workers
KAS International Scholarship EUR 850–1,200/month 15 Jul 2026 Master’s and PhD students from Ukraine
Heinrich Böll Stiftung Scholarship EUR 992–1,400/month 1 Sep 2026 Environmental activists, human rights defenders
Humboldt Research Fellowship EUR 3,000–3,600/month Rolling Postdocs and experienced researchers
DFG (Ukraine support + Global Minds) up to EUR 1,000/month / salary Rolling Researchers in DE-UA projects, early career
Philipp Schwartz Initiative ~EUR 2,870/month + EUR 20,000 ~Feb 2027 (prepare now) Researchers at risk (institution applies)
EU4Business (GIZ + EU) EUR 10,000–25,000 Monitor next 2026 wave SMEs in processing, logistics, creative sectors
Goethe-Institut Resilience Fund up to EUR 10,000–12,000 Monitor next 2026 wave Ukrainian cultural organisations

Looking for more international grants from different countries and organisations? A full catalogue of current programmes is available in the GetGrant Grants and Funding directory → and in the article “Ukraine Recovery Grants 2026: Full Overview →”

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