KLU Scholarships
KLU offers a limited number of merit and need-based scholarships, plus a sport scholarship program for German national team athletes. Scholarships of gifted education institutions (Begabtenförderwerke) can apply for a full tuition fee waiver at KLU. We will also support student from refugee communities in Hamburg. Do read up on the criteria that apply for each scholarship.
Merit-based scholarship
KLU offers merit-based scholarships to exceptional applicants for our Business Foundation, BSc. and MSc. programs. Successful applicants may receive a partial or full scholarship. Candidates for the merit-based scholarship must demonstrate outstanding achievements, which may include academic excellence, social engagement, exceptional leadership skills or an entrepreneurial drive.
Examples of Merit-Based Scholarship Categories:
- Academic Excellence - Exceptional performance in quantitative or analytical subjects.
- Social Engagement - Significant involvement in community service, volunteer work, or social impact initiatives.
- Leadership Skills - Proven ability to lead teams, organize events, or initiate projects that drive positive change.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Development of innovative ideas, business concepts, or entrepreneurial ventures.
We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions.
Application questions
Applicants must answer two questions (500 characters for each question) during the application online:
- Describe a specific experience or project where you demonstrated exceptional skills—whether through academic achievement, leadership, social engagement, or innovation. How did this experience shape your goals, and how does it reflect the values of this scholarship? Please focus on one of these categories in your essay.
- During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community?
Need-based scholarship
KLU offers a limited number of need-based scholarships for applicants to our Prep., BSc., and MSc. programs. These scholarships are designed to support individuals who face significant financial challenges.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- First-generation students: Individuals from non-academic family backgrounds (i.e., ArbeiterKind).
- Individuals with migration history: Those who come from migrant families.
- Low socio-economic status: Those eligible for financial aid, such as BAföG recipients.
- Recipients of social assistance: Individuals who grew up with or currently rely on benefits like Sozialhilfe or Bürgergeld.
- Care leavers: Individuals who have lived in foster care, group homes, or other forms of youth welfare support.
We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions.
- Describe a challenge or barrier you have faced due to your background, and explain how it has shaped your aspirations and determination to succeed. How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals and create a positive impact in your community or field of study?
- During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community?
Corporate Scholarship for Family Members of Kühne + Nagel employees from Southeast Asia plus India and Bangladesh!
The Kühne + Nagel Scholarship Program aims to support talented and ambitious students who have a “first-degree” relative currently employed at Kühne + Nagel. The goal is to foster the education of new professionals in logistics, supply chain management, and related disciplines while promoting cultural diversity within our community. Successful applicants may receive a partial scholarship.
As Kühne Logistics University (KLU) prepares to expand its global reach with the opening of a new campus in Vietnam, this scholarship demonstrates our commitment to the region and our belief in the transformative power of education. With Vietnam being a key logistics hub in Asia, this initiative aligns with Kühne + Nagel’s strategic focus on the region and KLU’s mission to provide world-class education in emerging markets.
KLU and Kühne + Nagel share a strong historical and institutional connection (through the private Foundation of Klaus-Michael Kühne), with both committed to advancing logistics and supply chain excellence. By offering this scholarship, KLU strengthens its ties with one of the leading logistics companies globally, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. By targeting employees’ families, KLU ensures that the scholarship benefits a motivated and invested group with a direct connection to the industry.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam or India and Bangladesh.
- Applicants must be a child, sibling, or spouse of a current Kühne + Nagel employee.
- Demonstrated outstanding academic performance through transcripts and references.
- Commitment and interest in logistics, supply chain management, or sustainability, outlined in a motivation letter (approximately 500 words).
- Proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) meeting KLU’s admission requirements.
We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions.
Application questions
Applicants must answer two questions (500 characters for each question) during the application online:
- "What motivates you to pursue a career in logistics, supply chain management, or a related field? Share your vision for the future of the industry and how you see yourself contributing to meaningful change through innovation, sustainability, or leadership."
- During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community?
This scholarship is not only a testament to KLU’s dedication to education and Kühne + Nagel’s commitment to its employees but also an investment in the future of logistics. KLU continues to position itself as a global leader in logistics education, offering unparalleled opportunities for students to shape the future of the industry.
Latin-America Scholarship
KLU offers Latin America scholarships to exceptional candidates coming from these countries for our Business Foundation, Bachelor's and Master's Programs. Successful applicants may receive a partial or full scholarship. Candidates must demonstrate outstanding achievements, which may include academic excellence, social engagement, exceptional leadership skills or an entrepreneurial drive.
We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions.
Applicants must answer two questions (500 characters for each question) during the application online:
- Describe a specific experience or project where you demonstrated exceptional skills—whether through academic achievement, leadership, social engagement, or innovation. How did this experience shape your goals, and how does it reflect the values of this scholarship? Please focus on one of these categories in your essay.
- During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community
Sport Scholarship
KLU is an official partner university of high performance sport represented by the Olympiastützpunkt Hamburg/Schleswig Holstein (Olympic base) and the Allgemeiner Deutscher Hochschulsport Verband (German University Sports Federation).
In this cooperation, we offer a sport scholarship program for german and international top athletes, as well as a scholarship for Bundesliga athletes (or an equivalent) in various sports. Find out more under KLU Sports.
External scholarships
DAAD Scholarship Database
The DAAD's extensive scholarship database for foreign students, graduates, and academics offers you a wide range of tips and information on successfully applying for a scholarship for a degree program or research assignment in Germany. You can filter your search by country of origin, subject, and your current status.
Other scholarship databases
- www.scholarshipportal.eu
- www.diversityabroad.com
- www.e-fellows.net
- www.stipendien-datenbank.de
- www.stipendienlotse.de
- www.studienstiftung.org
- www.mystipendium.de - (in German) Engagement im Rahmen der Coronakrise: Wir suchen Studenten, die sich für ihre Mitmenschen einsetzen: https://www.mystipendium.de/stipendien/alltagshelden-stipendium
- www.kaad.de/en/stipendien/ - the Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) is the scholarship institution of the German Catholic Church for post-graduate students from (developing) countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Near & Middle East, as well as Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
Gifted Education Awards (Begabtenförderwerke)
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF; pl. check https://www.bmbf.de/de/die-begabtenfoerderungswerke-884.html) supports 13 institutions for gifted education that give scholarships to young people whose talent and personality indicate that they will be outstanding at university and in their professions, and take on social responsibility as well.
Scholarship holders of one of the institutions for gifted education supported by the BMBF can apply for a full tuition fee waiver at KLU:
Avicenna-Studienwerk
Cusanuswerk - Bischöfliche Studienförderung
Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk e.V.
Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst e.V.
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung e.V.
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft / Studienförderwerk Klaus Murmann
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
Requirements
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Completed application for a KLU study program (BSc/MSc; incomplete applications will not be considered), please see our FAQ for more information.
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Minimum academic performance of 1.5 overall GPA plus top grades in quantitative subjects 1.5 Quant GPA (GPA: German equivalent; if you are unsure how to convert your international grade and are already admitted for a place of study at KLU, you may inquire with us whether you fulfill the GPA criterion).
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Completed scholarships application form containing an approval letter of the respective institution. We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application.
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Important: To receive a Gifted Education Award you need to be an approved scholarship recipient of one of the institutions above before your start your studies at KLU (i.e. before September 01st).
Refugee Tuition Fee Waiver / Ukraine Bursary
KLU understands the challenges that students from refugee communities face in accessing higher education. To support these learners, we offer full tuition waivers for refugee students who have been admitted to our programs.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have recognized refugee status,
- Hold a local residence permit for Hamburg, and
- Have successfully completed secondary schooling or undergraduate education.
Additionally, Ukrainian nationals who fled Ukraine due to the war may apply for a tuition fee waiver with a residence permit according to § 24 Residence Act (Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 24 AufenthG). If this applies to you, please provide a scanned copy of your ID or passport with valid proof of § 24 status.
For any questions or further assistance, feel free to reach out to us.
Contact

Genevieve Müller
Student Recruitment & Marketing Manager (BSc & Business Foundations Program)

Jaroslav Bahnik
Student Recruitment & Marketing Manager (BSc & Business Foundations Program)
Kühne Logistics University


For information on external scholarships, or other financing options, please visit our page Tuition & Financing.