German Studies Undergraduate Scholarships

The Anneliese and Alfred Strauch Scholarship for Language Study was established in 2003 by Department of German Studies faculty member Dr. Gabriele Strauch (emerita) in memory of her parents. Each spring, the scholarship recognizes the outstanding efforts of two to three German majors or double majors who hold junior standing at the University of Maryland. To apply, you must have between 60-89 cumulative credits (junior standing) and have declared German as a major or double major. Preference will be given to those applicants who are planning to study abroad.

Applicants should provide the Scholarship Committee with the following supporting materials:

1. A short essay (1-page typed) addressing your future goals/plans as they relate to the language and culture of Germanic-speaking countries and how studying abroad will assist you in achieving these goals. Essays may be written in either German or English.
2. An updated resume.
3. The name and contact information for two academic references (at least one must be from the Department of German Studies).

Awardees are expected to attend the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Annual Undergraduate Awards Ceremony, held in late April, in order to be recognized for their achievement.

If you have any questions about the scholarship or application process, please contact Dr. Julie Koser.

The Gerald E. and Martha M. Kightlinger Family Student Support Current-Use Fund for German Studies was established in 2021 by Mrs. Gloria Womble in memory of her parents Gerald E. and Martha M. Kightlinger. The Kightlinger Family Student Support Current-Use Fund provides annual merit-based awards for undergraduate students majoring in German and is intended to assist students with study abroad, experiential learning (e.g. internships, etc.) and/or costs associated with educational expenses.

The department disburses the Kightlinger Family Student Support Current-Use Fund during the spring semester.

For more information, please contact Dr. Julie Koser

DPA members are eligible to apply for a variety of scholarships, including funding to support study abroad, graduate education, as well as foreign language education at the K-12 levels. Please see the Delta Phi Alpha website for details and deadlines.

The German Society established an award program for college and university students from Maryland studying German. This program provides up to three awards of $1,000 each to outstanding students studying at colleges and universities in Maryland and Washington, D.C., who have declared a German major.

The German Society will also offer awards of $500 each to three Maryland students who are minoring in German at a Maryland or Washington, D.C., college or university.

Application for the college student award for German majors 
Application for the college student award for German minors 

For more information and current application deadlines, visit The German Society website

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) is a yearlong fellowship to study and intern in Germany. CBYX is open to applicants in all career fields, though preference is given to students in STEM, agriculture, business and vocational fields. Students traditionally underrepresented in study abroad opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.

The fellowship is funded by the U.S. and German governments through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, as amended. 

The CBYX program annually provides 75 participants with:

• 2 months intensive German language training
• 1 semester of study at a German university or university of applied sciences
• 5-month internship with a German company in the participant’s career field
• Transatlantic airfare, health insurance and monthly living expense stipends

Prior German language knowledge is not required, though it is preferred. Applicants should have clear career goals and some relevant work experience in their career field, which may include summer, part-time or internship work.

Participants must be between the ages of 18-24, possess a high school diploma or equivalent and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Interested applicants can apply online.

Awardees are selected by Department faculty based on academic excellence and contributions to the German Studies program outside the classroom.

Awardees are selected by Department faculty based on academic excellence and contributions to the German Studies program outside the classroom.

Awardees in the third-year classes (302, 320, 322) are selected by Department faculty based on academic excellence and continued progress in German.

Awardees in the second-year classes (204, 301) are selected by Department faculty based on academic excellence and continued progress in German.

Awardees in the first-year classes (103, 203) are selected by Department faculty based on academic excellence and continued progress in German.