SECAI Scholarship Programs 2026 in Germany — Monthly Stipend for AI Students
The SECAI Scholarship Programs 2026 are open now, with a deadline of June 30, 2026. If you are enrolled in a Master’s or Diplom programme at TU Dresden or Leipzig University — or visiting a research group at either institution — and your studies connect to Artificial Intelligence, this programme offers a monthly residency allowance of €934 to keep you financially stable while you focus on your research. Mobility grants for international academic exchange are also available. This post covers everything you need to know to apply before the deadline.
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SECAI Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | SECAI Scholarship Programs |
| Country | Germany |
| Degree Level | Master’s | Diplom (post-first-two-years) | Research Exchange |
| Benefits | Monthly stipend of €934, family allowance, travel cost support, mobility grants |
| Funded by | SECAI — Saxon Centre for Computational Intelligence and Interaction |
| Eligible Countries | All nationalities |
| Deadline | June 30, 2026 |
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About the SECAI Scholarship
SECAI — the Saxon Centre for Computational Intelligence and Interaction — is a research centre connecting TU Dresden and Leipzig University around Artificial Intelligence and interdisciplinary innovation. The two universities together cover a broad range of AI-adjacent disciplines: from computer science and nanoelectronics to bioinformatics and medical informatics. SECAI sits at the point where those fields intersect.
The scholarship programme was built to solve a specific problem. High-performing students who are accepted into rigorous AI-focused programmes often face a choice between managing financial pressure and giving their studies the attention they require. A monthly stipend removes that trade-off. By covering living expenses in Germany, the award lets scholars put their time into coursework, research, and the kind of international academic exchange that defines a career in AI.
The programme also supports students visiting research groups at TU Dresden and Leipzig University on a short-term basis, making it relevant beyond the two host institutions. Mobility grants extend this further — funding travel and exchange activities between universities and research institutions internationally.
Selection is based primarily on academic excellence, but SECAI also considers diversity, inclusion, and personal circumstances. Applicants who have faced adverse conditions are encouraged to address this in their application.
Eligible study programmes include:
- Computer Science — TU Dresden
- Nanoelectronic Systems — TU Dresden
- Computational Modelling and Simulation — TU Dresden
- Data Science — Leipzig University
- Bioinformatics — Leipzig University
- Medical Informatics — Leipzig University
If your programme is not listed above but your research connects closely to SECAI’s AI research areas, check the official programme page — additional programmes may qualify.
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What the SECAI Scholarship Covers
Recipients of the SECAI scholarship receive the following:
- Monthly residency stipend of €934 — paid to cover your living costs in Germany for the duration of the award
- Family allowance — additional financial support for eligible scholars with dependants
- Travel cost support — funding toward travel expenses connected to your studies or research participation
- Mobility grants — dedicated funding to support international academic exchange and collaboration with research institutions outside Germany
- Access to SECAI’s research network — direct connection to research groups working across AI, computational modelling, bioinformatics, and related fields at two major German universities
The monthly allowance of €934 is broadly in line with the standard German national scholarship rate. For context, average student living costs in Dresden and Leipzig — two of Germany’s more affordable university cities — typically run between €800 and €1,100 per month depending on accommodation, which means this stipend is designed to cover the baseline of living expenses without requiring additional income.
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Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the SECAI Scholarship Programs 2026, you must meet all of the following:
- You must be enrolled in a Master’s programme at TU Dresden or Leipzig University, OR enrolled in a Diplom programme having completed at least the first two years of study
- You may also apply if you are visiting a research group at TU Dresden or Leipzig University as part of an exchange or research mobility arrangement
- Your studies or research must connect directly to SECAI research areas — programmes not formally listed but closely linked to AI research may still qualify; confirm with the SECAI office before applying
- You must demonstrate strong academic performance — a cumulative GPA equivalent to 1.7 or better in the German grading system (this corresponds roughly to a B+ average or upper second-class honours equivalent in other systems)
- You must meet any additional requirements specific to your programme or institution
Applicants with adverse personal circumstances — financial hardship, displacement, disability, or other documented challenges — may receive special consideration during the selection process. If this applies to you, include relevant supporting context in your application rather than leaving it out.
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Required Documents
Prepare all of the following before you begin the application:
- Completed SECAI scholarship application form
- Updated CV — include your academic background, research experience, and any publications or conference participation
- Academic transcripts and certificates from all relevant institutions
- Proof of German language proficiency (where required by your programme)
- Research proposal or study plan — outlining your academic goals and how they connect to SECAI’s research areas
- Recommendation letters — confirm with your referees how many are required and give them enough time to write a strong letter before June 30
- Proof of admission or current enrolment at TU Dresden or Leipzig University
- Passport copy
- Any additional supporting documents required by your programme or personal circumstances
One thing most applicants overlook: the research proposal or study plan is not a formality. Because SECAI awards are tied to specific AI research areas, a generic statement of purpose will not serve you well here. Your proposal should name the research area you are working in, explain how it connects to SECAI’s scope, and — where possible — reference specific research groups or faculty at TU Dresden or Leipzig University whose work aligns with yours. This is what moves an application from eligible to competitive.
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How to Apply — Step by Step
- Confirm your eligibility.
- Check that your programme is enrolled at TU Dresden or Leipzig University and that your research connects to SECAI’s AI focus areas. If you are visiting a research group rather than enrolled full-time, confirm that your visit qualifies before starting the application.
- Prepare your documents.
- Gather your transcripts, CV, proof of enrolment, language certificates, and any supporting documents. Write your research proposal with the SECAI selection criteria in mind — academic excellence and relevance to AI research are the two primary factors.
- Contact your referees early.
- Do not request recommendation letters in the final week before June 30. Give referees at least two to three weeks, and confirm the submission method — whether they submit directly or you upload on their behalf — before the deadline.
- Complete and submit the application form.
- The SECAI scholarship application is submitted through the official online form. Do not send documents by email unless specifically instructed.
- Submit before June 30, 2026.
- Online application systems often slow down or encounter errors near the deadline. Submit at least two to three days early. You will not receive an extension if a technical issue prevents last-minute submission.
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Application Deadline
The SECAI Scholarship Programs 2026 deadline is June 30, 2026.
No time has been specified on the official source. To be safe, treat the deadline as end-of-business on June 30 in the Central European Summer Time zone (CEST, which is UTC+2). For applicants in Nigeria and West Africa on WAT (UTC+1), that means your application should be submitted no later than 11:00 PM WAT on June 30 — though submitting days early is strongly advisable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SECAI scholarship open to students from Nigeria and Africa?
Yes. The SECAI Scholarship Programs are open to students of all nationalities. There is no country restriction. You must, however, be enrolled at TU Dresden or Leipzig University — or visiting a research group at either institution — to be eligible.
What GPA do I need to apply for the SECAI scholarship?
You need a cumulative GPA equivalent to 1.7 or better in the German grading system. In the German system, 1.0 is the highest grade and 4.0 is the lowest passing grade, so 1.7 is a strong academic standing. If you are unsure how your home institution’s grading scale converts, use an official grade conversion tool or contact the SECAI office for clarification before applying.
Does the SECAI scholarship cover tuition fees?
No. The SECAI scholarship covers living expenses through a monthly stipend of €934, plus travel support and mobility grants. It does not include a tuition fee waiver. If you need tuition support, check the DAAD scholarship database or the scholarship offices at TU Dresden and Leipzig University for additional funding options.
Can I apply for the SECAI scholarship if I am not yet enrolled — only admitted?
You need proof of enrolment or admission to apply. If you have an admission offer but have not yet enrolled, include your offer letter as part of your application and check with the SECAI office on whether conditional applications are accepted for your situation.
What research areas does SECAI cover?
SECAI’s focus is on Artificial Intelligence and its intersections with other disciplines — including computational modelling, bioinformatics, medical informatics, and nanoelectronics. The six eligible programmes across TU Dresden and Leipzig University reflect this range. If your research sits within or adjacent to these fields, you are likely within scope.
When will SECAI scholarship results be announced?
The official source does not specify a results timeline. After submitting, monitor the email address you used in your application and check your spam folder regularly. Results are typically communicated within a few weeks of the application deadline for scholarships of this type.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, requirements, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official scholarship website. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.
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