Digital Governance Scholarship 2027: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

The Digital Governance Scholarship at the Hertie School in Berlin is a competitive full-tuition scholarship for students who want to study digitalisation, artificial intelligence policy and related governance challenges.

The scholarship is available for the Master of Public Policy (MPP) and is open to applicants of all nationalities. The Hertie School currently states that at least two scholarships are available, with each scholarship worth €39,500 in tuition fees.

The award is important for students interested in the intersection of technology, public policy, AI, digital transformation and governance. However, applicants should understand that a full scholarship at Hertie School means 100% tuition coverage; it does not generally cover living expenses.

Important: The Hertie School’s current scholarship page provides the scholarship value and recurring application deadlines, but it does not publish a separate calendar date specifically labelled “2027” on the page. Applicants should therefore verify the dates in the official application portal for their intended intake before submitting.

Opportunity Overview

Detail	Information
Scholarship	Digital Governance Scholarship
Host institution	Hertie School
Host country	Germany
Location	Berlin
Study level	Master’s
Eligible programme	Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Eligible nationalities	All nationalities
Number of awards	At least 2
Scholarship value	€39,500 in tuition fees
Funding type	Full tuition scholarship
Living expenses	Not covered by the full scholarship
Programme duration	2 years, full-time
Language of instruction	English
Early Bird deadline	1 December
Priority deadline	15 January for non-EU/EEA; 15 February for EU/EEA
Final MPP application deadline	1 May

The MPP is a two-year, full-time programme taught in English and carries 120 ECTS.

What Is the Digital Governance Scholarship?

The Digital Governance Scholarship is a Hertie School funding opportunity designed for students interested in the policy challenges created by digitalisation.

The scholarship specifically focuses on areas such as digitalisation and AI policy. This makes it particularly relevant to applicants who want to understand how governments and institutions can respond to technological change, artificial intelligence, data, online information and other digital-policy challenges.

The scholarship is connected with the Hertie School’s Centre for Digital Governance, which works on questions surrounding the governance of digital transformation. Scholarship recipients can become closely connected with the Centre and its activities, including events and opportunities for student involvement.

Benefits and Funding

The main benefit is a full tuition scholarship.

According to the current Hertie School scholarship information:

• At least two scholarships are available.
• Each scholarship is worth €39,500 in tuition fees.
• The scholarship is available for the Master of Public Policy.
• Applicants from all nationalities can apply.
• The award covers 100% of tuition fees.
• The scholarship does not normally cover living expenses.

This distinction is important.

Hertie School’s current tuition page lists the MPP tuition at €9,875 per semester, or €19,750 per academic year. A two-year programme therefore corresponds to €39,500 in tuition at the currently published rate.

What is not covered?

The Digital Governance Scholarship should not be described as a scholarship that pays for all costs of studying in Germany.

The Hertie School explicitly states that its full scholarships cover 100% of tuition fees but do not cover living expenses.

Students should therefore plan separately for costs such as:

• Accommodation
• Food
• Personal expenses
• Local transportation
• Visa-related costs
• Travel
• Other living costs

The exact costs a student will face depend on their personal circumstances.

Who Can Apply?

The Digital Governance Scholarship is open to applicants from all nationalities.

Applicants must first apply for and receive admission to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) at Hertie School.

The scholarship is especially relevant to students who can demonstrate a strong and convincing interest in:

• Digital governance
• Artificial intelligence policy
• Digitalisation
• Technology and public policy
• Governance of technological transformation

The scholarship page does not state that applicants must hold a specific undergraduate degree in computer science or technology. The broader MPP programme is open to applicants from different academic backgrounds.

Eligibility Requirements

The scholarship has two important layers of eligibility: MPP admission and scholarship suitability.

1. You must qualify for the MPP

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree equivalent to at least a bachelor’s degree. Hertie’s MPP FAQ states that the undergraduate programme should normally represent at least six semesters of study.

The MPP accepts applicants from different academic backgrounds. Previous study in political science, economics, sociology or law can be relevant, but the programme is not restricted to those fields.

2. You need strong English proficiency

The MPP is taught entirely in English.

For applicants who are not native English speakers, Hertie School requires proof of English proficiency unless an accepted exemption applies.

Current minimum scores include:

• IELTS: 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in writing
• TOEFL iBT: 100, including 25 in writing
• Duolingo English Test: 125
• Cambridge: CPE C or CAE B

Applicants who completed an entire undergraduate degree in English may be able to receive an exemption by providing official proof from their university.

3. You need a strong scholarship profile

The Digital Governance Scholarship is competitive. Applicants should not assume that admission to the MPP automatically means receiving the scholarship.

Hertie School evaluates applicants using factors including academic excellence, personal suitability and motivation. Its current admissions information assigns 40% to personal suitability, 40% to academic excellence and 20% to motivation.

For this particular scholarship, your application should clearly demonstrate why digitalisation and AI policy are important to your academic and professional goals.

Eligible Fields of Study

The scholarship is tied specifically to the Master of Public Policy rather than to a list of traditional undergraduate fields.

The MPP itself is interdisciplinary and includes areas such as:

• Economics
• Political science
• Sociology
• Law
• Public management
• Statistics
• Data science
• Governance and policy analysis

For the Digital Governance Scholarship, the strongest applications are likely to be those that can clearly connect the applicant’s background and future plans with digital governance, digitalisation or AI policy.

This does not mean that applicants must have studied computer science. The official MPP FAQ confirms that applicants from different academic backgrounds can apply.

Required Documents

For the MPP application, Hertie School currently asks applicants to provide supporting materials including:

• Current CV
• Letter of motivation
• Official academic transcripts
• English-language proficiency evidence where required
• Referee information
• Other documents requested through the application portal

Academic documents that are not in English must be translated according to Hertie School’s requirements. The university states that personal translations are not accepted for documents requiring certified translation.

Scholarship-specific document

After admission, Digital Governance Scholarship applicants must prepare a one-page personal statement explaining:

1. Their interest in digitalisation.
2. How studying at Hertie School could help them pursue that interest.

This statement is an important part of the scholarship application.

How to Apply

The Digital Governance Scholarship does not begin with a separate scholarship application.

You first need to apply for the Hertie School’s Master of Public Policy.

Step 1: Prepare your MPP application

Create an account in the Hertie School application portal and complete the MPP application.

Prepare your CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, English-language documentation and referee information before submitting the application.

Step 2: Apply before an eligible deadline

For scholarship consideration, Hertie School currently identifies the following important MPP deadlines:

• 1 December: Early Bird deadline
• 15 January: Priority deadline for non-EU/EEA applicants
• 15 February: Priority deadline for EU/EEA applicants
• 1 May: Final application deadline

Applicants who need a German visa should pay particular attention to the non-EU/EEA priority deadline.

Step 3: Wait for the admission decision

You must receive an admission offer before you can access the Hertie School scholarship application.

The school states that applicants cannot apply for scholarships before being admitted to a programme.

Step 4: Complete the scholarship application

After receiving an admission offer, Hertie School will invite you to its funding application process.

For the Digital Governance Scholarship, you must submit the required one-page personal statement about your interest in digitalisation and how Hertie School could support your goals.

Important: Hertie School’s scholarship page says applicants have two weeks to apply after receiving access to the funding application, while the current MPP admissions page says applicants have three days after the admission offer to complete the scholarship application. Because these pages currently show different instructions, applicants should follow the deadline displayed in their individual scholarship invitation or application portal.

Step 5: Attend an interview if shortlisted

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview with a faculty member.

The interview provides an opportunity to discuss the scholarship essay, motivation and interest in the relevant field.

Application Deadline

The scholarship follows the Hertie School’s MPP admission process.

The current published deadlines are:

Early Bird: 1 December

Priority deadline for non-EU/EEA applicants: 15 January

Priority deadline for EU/EEA applicants: 15 February

Final MPP application deadline: 1 May

Students seeking full scholarship funding should not wait for the final deadline if they can apply earlier. Hertie School specifically recommends applying as early as possible for scholarship consideration.

For a future intake such as 2027, applicants should confirm the dates in the official Hertie School admissions portal before publishing or submitting an application, because deadlines can change between admission cycles.

Important Tips for Applicants

Connect technology with public policy

Do not focus only on your interest in technology. Explain the policy problem you want to understand or solve.

For example, you could discuss areas such as AI regulation, digital public services, data governance, online misinformation or the social impact of automation if these genuinely match your background and goals.

Make your motivation specific

A generic statement about wanting to “study in Germany” is unlikely to communicate a strong scholarship fit.

Explain why digital governance matters to you and how the MPP fits your long-term plans.

Prepare your English evidence early

If you need an English-language test, do not wait until the last moment. Hertie School allows applicants to submit English test results after applying, but the required deadline still applies.

Remember that tuition is not the same as living costs

Receiving this scholarship does not mean that every cost of living in Berlin will be paid.

Since the award covers tuition rather than living expenses, applicants should investigate additional funding options before committing to the programme.

Apply for only one full scholarship

Hertie School states that applicants may apply for only one full scholarship per application cycle, although they can apply for full and partial scholarships through the funding process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Digital Governance Scholarship fully funded?

It is a full tuition scholarship, covering 100% of Hertie School tuition fees. However, it is not a full cost-of-living scholarship because Hertie School states that its full scholarships do not cover living expenses.

How much is the Digital Governance Scholarship worth?

The current Hertie School scholarship page lists at least two awards worth €39,500 in tuition fees.

Who can apply?

Applicants from all nationalities can apply for the Digital Governance Scholarship, provided they meet the requirements for the Master of Public Policy and the scholarship.

Can Afghan students apply?

Yes. The scholarship is officially open to applicants from all nationalities. Therefore, Afghan applicants are not excluded by the scholarship’s nationality rule. They must still meet the MPP admission requirements and successfully compete for the award.

What degree is required?

Applicants need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Hertie’s FAQ specifies an undergraduate programme of at least six semesters.

Is IELTS required?

Non-native English speakers generally need to demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an accepted exemption. Hertie School currently lists IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing among its accepted minimum standards.

Can I apply directly for the scholarship?

No. You first apply to the Master of Public Policy. After receiving an admission offer, you are invited to apply for scholarships and funding.

Does the scholarship cover accommodation?

The Digital Governance Scholarship itself does not cover living expenses. However, the Hertie School states that Digital Governance Scholarship recipients are eligible for the TSH Talent Foundation Changemaker Scholarship, which can provide selected students with one year of housing at The Social Hub, together with access to a global community and personalised coaching. This is an additional opportunity and should not be treated as guaranteed accommodation for every scholarship recipient.

Final Thoughts

The Digital Governance Scholarship is a strong option for students who want to combine public policy with digitalisation and AI policy.

Its biggest financial benefit is the complete waiver of Hertie School tuition fees, currently valued at €39,500. At the same time, applicants should plan carefully for living costs because the scholarship does not generally cover them.

For the strongest application, focus on academic preparation, a convincing MPP application and a clear explanation of how your future goals connect with digital governance and AI policy.

The most important practical step is to apply to the Hertie School Master of Public Policy by an appropriate early or priority deadline and then complete the scholarship application after receiving admission.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

1. Hertie School – Digital Governance Scholarship — Scholarship eligibility, value, application process and digital-governance focus.
2. Hertie School – MPP Admissions — Current MPP deadlines, admission requirements, documents and scholarship application process.
3. Hertie School – Full Scholarships — Full scholarship funding rules and tuition coverage.
4. Hertie School – Master of Public Policy — Programme duration, language and academic structure.
5. Hertie School – Tuition and Fees — Current MPP tuition fees.
6. Hertie School – MPP FAQs — Academic, English-language and application requirements.