International students aiming to pursue a fully supported scholarship based doctoral degree or an artistic development project in Germany’s Mecklenburg-West Pomerania can now apply for the 2026 Caspar-David-Friedrich Scholarships (CDF). These awards are specifically designed to support academically outstanding graduates and talented artists seeking advanced study or creative work at recognized higher education institutions in the region.
The CDF programme welcomes two main categories of applicants. The first includes highly qualified graduates who have already been admitted to a doctoral programme and are supervised by a PhD advisor at a university within Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. The second category targets artists holding a higher-education degree who wish to carry out an artistic development project at an eligible institution in the same federal state. All applications are processed directly by the individual universities, making it essential for applicants to contact their chosen institution for specific submission guidance.
The eligibility framework is straightforward: doctoral applicants must hold a higher-education degree and secure formal admission into a PhD programme, while artistic applicants must present proof of their higher-education qualification relevant to their field. The scholarship value is significant, offering €1,500 per month as standard funding. Additionally, recipients with children may receive a supplementary family allowance of €150 for the first child and €100 for each additional child, helping support scholars with dependents.
Funding duration varies depending on the applicant’s path. Doctoral candidates are typically supported for up to 3 years, with a possible extension of 6 months in exceptional cases. Artists selected under the CDF Fellowship track generally receive support for 1 year, with the possibility of an extension of up to 3 months, depending on project needs and institutional approval.
To begin the application process, candidates must directly communicate with the university or higher education institution where they intend to study or carry out their artistic project. Each institution provides its own application forms, procedures, and internal deadlines. For this reason, early outreach to the relevant admissions or international office is highly recommended.
Apply: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=10000107
Link: https://fg.hs-wismar.de/en/faculty/current/news-detail/n/caspar-david-friedrich-stipendium-2026-news-gestaltungwismar/.
The 2026 cycle represents a strong opportunity for emerging researchers and artists to advance their work in Germany under a respected funding framework. Interested applicants should prepare their documents early and contact their preferred institution for detailed application instructions.