Master’s scholarships awarded to international students

The Merz Akademie has established two scholarships through funding from the STIBET I programme, specifically for international students enrolled in the Master of Arts program Research in Design, Art and Media. The STIBET scholarship programme is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office (AA).

The Equal Opportunities Scholarship provides targeted financial support to international Master’s students whose studies might otherwise be at risk due to personal circumstances, family responsibilities, or structural disadvantages.

The Final Thesis and Project Scholarship offers international students in the Master of Arts program the financial flexibility they need during the crucial final phase of their studies, enabling them to focus on completing their thesis or final project.

The recipients of the Equal Opportunities Scholarship in the summer semester 2026 were Digvijaysinh Maheshbhai Chauhan and Sepideh Nazaralizadeh.

The Final Thesis and Project Scholarship was awarded to the following graduates of the program Research in Design, Art and Media: Akhil Gsain, Jayashree Kulkarni and Melina Studenikina. Thanks to the scholarship, the three graduates were able to successfully complete their Master’s studies in the summer semester 2026.

Akhil Gusain’s final project was an installation which focuses on the interplay between what is visual and what can be heard. This illustrated artist book by Melina Studenikina explores death not as an ending, but as a continuous passage. Inspired by mythological imagery, it unfolds through symbolism, repetition, and the rhythm of turning pages. Jayashree Kulkarni developed 14 drawing-oriented exercises for educators in early childhood education.

We warmly congratulate the first recipients of the STIBET I programme scholarships!