Abbe School of Photonics • Master scholarships

PHORTIFY Scholarships for the Abbe School of Photonics

Postdoc Dr. Bayarjagal "Bayra" Narantsatsralt in the Nano and Quantum Lab.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)

International students wishing to obtain the degree of M.Sc. Photonics or the M.Sc. Quantum Science & Technology at the Abbe School of Photonics can apply for one of our scholarships during the regular application procedure.

For students starting in 2026, these scholarships are offered as part of the PHORTIFY program funded by the European Union (EU). These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and are granted for a fixed period of 12 months. The current scholarship amount is EUR 992 per month.

Applicants must be nationals of an eligible country as announced by the: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States (last update: January 2026).

Scholarships can only be awarded to students who are studying on-campus, not online. To apply for a scholarship, please indicate your interest during the online application process in the application portal. In addition, two letters of recommendation must be submitted. A suggested template for these letters can be downloaded here., but every referee is free to use an official letter style from his academic institution instead. Further details can be found in our FAQs.

The funding period is limited to 12 months and cannot be extended. However, once arrived in Jena, our students regularly supplement their finances, for example, through a student job in science. Further information on financing your studies can be found here: Financing your studies.

Scholarships from German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Lab presentation to press visitors by some of our Abbe School of Photonics scholars.
Image: David Zakoth, Lichtwerkstatt Jena.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)External link is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers. It is a registered association and its members are German institutions of higher education and student bodies. Its activities go far beyond simply awarding grants and scholarships. The DAAD supports the internationalisation of German universities, promotes German studies and the German language abroad, supports countries in the Global South in building and improving their higher education systems and advises decision makers on education, foreign science and development policy.

There are various scholarship opportunities offered by the DAAD which fit well to our program: www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/External link

In the past, the following students were able to secure a scholarship from the DAAD to study at the Abbe School of Photonics:
- Lovic, Milanka (2024)
- Dosan, Vasile-Laurentiu (2022)
- Yershov, Andrey (2021)
- Mahmudlu, Elshan (2019)

Germany Scholarships (Deutschlandstipendien) for all citizenships

Students at the Emerging Topics Symposium 2024 in jena.
Image: David Zakoth, Uni Jena.

All students who are either

already in Jena, enrolled in one of our Master's degree programs OR
are admitted for studies within either of these programs for the upcoming academic year

may also apply for a Deutschlandstipendium. You can apply for this kind of scholarship at an early stage of your photonics studies, even from abroad. Awardees with prospects of excellent study results receive financial support of 300 Euro per month for at least one year.

In the past, many of our students secured one of the Deutschlandstipendien, among them:
- Lohbeck, Paulina (2024)
- Ruvalcaba Rascón, José Manuel (2024)
- Spiess, Christopher (2018)

OPTICA Women Scholarships

Manasa Vannadil Surendran received the OPTICA Women Scholarship in 2025
Image: Optica

20 Optica Women Scholars are selected annually and receive a merit and need-based grant. In addition to the funding, scholars gain access to our global network of mentors and supporting companies.

The current application is open until December 1st. For details on eligibility and to submit an application, please visit the OPTICA Women Scholarship Website.External link

In 2025, our ASP Master student Manasa Vannadil Surendran received an OPTICA Women Scholarship. She hopes to contribute to creating a more inclusive environment in STEM and promote opportunities for the next generation of optics.

OPTICA Amplify Scholarships – Investing in future black scientists

ASP student, OPTICA ambassador and prize recipient Timothy Imogore.
Image: WeAreOSA

Do you identify as Black? Each year, ten Black undergrad and master's students receive a US $10,000 scholarship to help ease the financial burden of studying. Additionally, other benefits include a one-year membership to OPTICA, access to mentors, and an invitation to the annual Amplify Optics Immersion Program in the United States.

The application is open until November 14th. For details on eligibility and to submit an application, please visit the OPTICA Amplify Scholarship Website.External link

In 2023, our ASP student Timothy Imogore received the OPTCIA Amplify Scholarship. He started at ASP with a Master scholarship and later earned his PhD with us. Learn more about his story.

CSC Master Scholarships for Chinese citizens

Nonlinear optics laser lab.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Until 2021, the China Scholarship Council (CSC) provided full scholarships for Chinese applicants holding a Bachelor's degree to non-profit organizations or higher vocational schools for 12 to 24 months. In the past, these scholarships were fully compatible with studies in Photonics at the ASP in Germany.

Unfortunately, to our knowledge, the majority of CSC scholarships are currently only available for PhD applicants and not for Master's degree studies. For more information, please visit the CSC websiteExternal link.

In Germany, the Hans Seidel Foundation Graduate Scholarship ProgramExternal link provides a limited number of scholarships for outstanding Chinese students involved in doctoral programs or master’s studies in Germany. Funding includes travel, monthly stipends (1,200 euro for doctoral, 992 euro for master’s), and health insurance. Applications require language proof, recommendation letters, and an invitation from a German institution. For more information, please visit this CSC websiteExternal link.

Databases with further scholarship programs

Besides its own scholarship programs, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a comprehensive database for studies and research in GermanyExternal link. Further, there are also websites like Study in Germany - Land of IdeasExternal link or Finding DAAD scholarships.External link
The International Office of the University of Jena provides support for foreign students studying in Jena.
The Global Study AwardsExternal link offer scholarships for studying also in Germany.
The Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD)External link offers scholarships to students with outstanding social and religious commitment.

Scholarships available!