Frequently Asked Questions

Details

What is the Konrad Adenauer Foundation?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a political foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany, with a Christian Democratic orientation, committed to achieve and preserve peace, freedom and justice through political education. We promote and preserve democratic freedom, the social market economy, and the development and consolidation of the consensus of value on a national and international level with more than 100 offices worldwide.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

Applications are made online according to the steps set out in the Information Portal and through the forms provided there. The most important starting point is to read the portal.
 

When does the scholarship application period start?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship Programme was launched on 15 July 2021. All applicants will find all related information on the Information Portal.
 

Until when can I apply for a scholarship?

Applicants for a Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship Programme will have time until the 27st of August 2021 to submit their application.

 

Will there be a scholarship programme for the year 2022?

Yes, the Foundation will have a Scholarship Programme in Panama on an annual basis. We invite you to regularly visit our website (kas.de/panama) and our social media accounts: Instagram (@kas_sede_panama), Facebook (@kas_panama) and Twitter (@kas_panama) for updates on the upcoming opening.
 

Are there scholarships to study abroad?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation processes scholarships abroad from the Office in Peru. Please write to kasperu@kas.de for more information or visit this link.
 

Can I apply for a scholarship to a study centre outside Panama if the curriculum is taught virtually?

No. Scholarships are awarded exclusively for programmes at institutions of higher education that are located within the Panamanian national territory.
 

Can I apply for a scholarship for the studies I currently have on hold?

Yes, you can. In the same way, when you send the scholarship application, you will have to follow the procedure like all the others. It will be necessary to detail in which part of the study programme you are currently and what is still to be financed.
 

How can I start an application?

All applications will be received exclusively via email becas.panama@kas.de. Please refer initially to the Information Portal for details of the requirements, forms and criteria.
 

Which universities can I apply to?

Those applying for a scholarship from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation can apply to any university within the country.
 

Is there a list of universities approved by the KAS?

There is no list of universities approved by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. However, all of them must have the official endorsement of the Ministry of Education of Panama in order to be considered for the Programme.
 

What types of scholarships are available?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation has scholarships available for the following study programmes at any Higher Education Institution within the national territory:

    Diplomas
    Postgraduate courses
    Master's Degrees
    Doctorates

 

What benefits does this scholarship programme offer?

The benefits that scholarship holders will receive for this Scholarship Programme are exclusively financial. These will be to compensate the costs of tuition and monthly fees throughout the academic studies that the scholarship holder will take.  
 

Who is eligible for a scholarship from the Programme?

All nationals and legal residents of the country can apply to the National Scholarship Programme of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
 

Can studies be carried out in class, by distance learning or by a combination of both?

No. Due to the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, scholarship holders will be required to follow the learning methodology of the university in which they are enrolled.

 

What are the selection criteria?

All nationals and legal residents who fully meet the application requirements are eligible. However, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation will give priority to those who meet the following criteria:

    Have a university degree with above average GPA,
    Have experience in volunteer work,
    Have a strong interest in issues such as the democratic system, the rule of law and human rights,
    Have a leadership attitude.
    Express and support financial need.
    Accompany the academic and professional background with credentials of merits and recognitions obtained.

What should my GPA be at the University to qualify for a Scholarship?

Academic excellence is a virtue that the Konrad Adenauer Foundation seeks to promote and strengthen. We will analyse the applicant's grade point average according to the parameters of the university he or she comes from.
 

What types of studies can I choose for a scholarship?

Since the Konrad Adenauer Foundation is strongly committed to liberal values, human rights, representative democracy, the rule of law, the social market economy, European integration and international cooperation, all applicants are invited to consider the following fields of study:

    Social Sciences,
    Political Science,
    Legal Sciences,
    Economic Sciences and
    Administrative Sciences.

 

How would you describe a KAS scholarship holder?

Since the Konrad Adenauer Foundation is guided by the Christian vision of humanity; feels particularly attached to the political legacy of Konrad Adenauer; stands for the values of individual responsibility, justice and solidarity; is strongly committed to liberal values, human rights, representative democracy, the rule of law, the social market economy, European integration and international cooperation; we are looking for scholarship holders who identify with these values.
 

What are the eligibility requirements?

The requirements that must be submitted in full in order to apply for a scholarship at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation are:

    Letter of Motivation addressed to the Regional Programme Alliances for Democracy and Development Partnerships with Latin America of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS ADELA).
    Curriculum Vitae.
    One passport-type photography.
    Two (2) letters of recommendation (one academic and one work-related).
    Official letter of admission from the university where you will undertake your specialised studies.
    Detailed syllabus of the study centre where you will undertake your specialised studies.
    Detailed annual or monthly spending plan of the school where you will undertake your specialised studies.
    Diploma and grades from undergraduate studies.
    Copy of your identity card.

If I send all my documentation, does it mean that I am already selected?

Although sending the complete documentation is a prerequisite for eligibility, it does not guarantee that you will receive the scholarship. The Ad Hoc Committee for the Selection of Scholarship Holders will evaluate the documentation of all applicants. Once the applicant's requirements have been evaluated and accepted, he/she will have to attend a live interview (face-to-face or virtual) with the same Commission, in order to evaluate the applicant's attitudes.

Will there be a "maximum annual ceiling per scholarship" to be awarded by the KAS?

No. The number of scholarships will be determined annually by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in accordance with budgetary availability. Each case will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation invites scholarship applicants to apply for the study programme that best suits their characteristics and academic aspirations. However, it is important that, in case you are applying for scholarships for several study programmes, you submit an application for each programme. In this case, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation will award scholarships for only one study programme to the applicant.

My immigration status is a bit complicated, can I still apply if I have everything else in order?

Applicants for a Konrad Adenauer Foundation scholarship who have a valid residency card issued by the National Migration Service of Panama, or proof of the processing of the same, may be eligible for a scholarship.

 

Who should write my letters of reference?

Two institutional letters of reference will be required from applicants for a Konrad Adenauer Foundation Programme Scholarship: One should be from a faculty member of the institution of higher education from which the applicant graduated, while the other one should come from an employer (current or former) of the applicant and/or the supervisor of a social volunteer programme or political activity in which the applicant has been involved.

Are there scholarships for teaching programmes?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation will consider each application for a scholarship. As we are a political foundation, we ask that you explain in your letter of motivation why the studies you would like to undertake with our scholarship would be relevant for the development of your country in areas such as human rights, representative democracy, social market economy or international cooperation.

Are there scholarships for Fine Arts programmes?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a political foundation whose main interests are to defend human rights and to promote representative democracy, the rule of law, the social market economy, European integration and international cooperation. As such, we seek to promote binding study programmes. Fine Arts are not part of the priority areas of our Scholarship Programmes.

Do you check my police record during the application process?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation respects the right of those deprived of liberty not to be tried for crimes they have already paid for. We believe in the reconstruction of the individual through the mechanisms established by society.
 

If I have already started my education programme, can I still apply for a scholarship?

Yes, you can. You will still need to submit the scholarship application like all other scholarship applications. It is also necessary to detail in which part of the programme you are studying and what is still to be financed.
 

Can family members of KAS members apply?

Staff members of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, members of the Ad Hoc Selection Committee and their relatives are not eligible for scholarships from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
 

If I have already received a KAS scholarship in the past, can I apply for a new one?

A person may not receive more than one KAS scholarship in the same year. The Programme will give priority for a scholarship to those who have not received a KAS scholarship in the past.
 

Who will manage my admission to the University?

The scholarship applicant will apply for admission to the university of his or her choice and, after having been admitted by the university, will submit the application for a Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship via the Information Portal on the Konrad Adenauer Foundation website.
 

Can someone at the university assist me in the application process?

The application process must be carried out exclusively by the scholarship applicant.

 
I don't have the money to pay the registration fee and thus obtain the Letter of Admission. What can I do about this?

At the Konrad Adenauer Foundation we are interested in applicants including a note from the relevant faculty confirming: (i) that the study programme will be completed on time, and (ii) that a place is available for you. You do not necessarily have to be enrolled at the time you apply with us.

Will the scholarship cover other expenses such as food, housing, transportation for those who live in the interior of the country?

The benefits of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Panama Scholarship Programme will be used to offset the costs of tuition and monthly fees for the duration of the scholarship recipient's academic studies. Other expenses, if essential, will be considered according to the scholarship holder's application.

What if the university rejects my application?

One of the prerequisites for applying for a Konrad Adenauer Scholarship is a letter of acceptance issued by the university. Unfortunately, if the university rejects the applicant, he/she will not be able to apply for a Konrad Adenauer Scholarship.
 

I have already applied, how can I follow up the selection process?

Once all the requirements for the scholarship application have been submitted, applicants may write to becas.panama@kas.de to request an update on the selection process.

 

By whom and how will my application be reviewed?

A Scholarship Holder Selection Committee will operate on an Ad Hoc basis. It will ensure that all requirements have been submitted by the applicant in full. Once this has been corroborated, the Commission will evaluate in detail the documents submitted by the applicant. After being approved, the applicant will receive an invitation for an interview (face-to-face or virtual) with the same Commission.
 

When and how can I find out about the selection of scholarship holders?

As of 30 September 2021, those selected for the scholarship will be announced on the website of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Panama (kas.de/panama) and on our social media (Kas Panama).  

Do I need to submit a report of my studies?

No. Scholarship holders in our Programme must submit a 2-page report at the end of each academic year, including the credits obtained.
 

Once I have finished my scholarship, does the KAS programme guarantee me a job?

Although the Scholarship Programme includes an Alumni Group for graduates of a higher education programme with a scholarship awarded by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation cannot guarantee a job for these graduates.
 

Who sponsors the scholarship programme?

The funds for the scholarship programme of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Panama come from the taxes of German citizens.
 

Does the KAS scholarship offer any kind of health insurance?

The benefits of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship Programme will be used to offset the costs of tuition and monthly fees for the duration of the scholarship holder's academic studies. Since the scholarships offered in this Programme are for studies within the Panamanian national territory, no health insurance policies will be granted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
 

Do I have to know German or any other language to apply?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation will not place any second language requirements on applicants for a Programme Scholarship in Panama. However, if the higher education institution where the applicant will be enrolled requires it, he/she will have to answer for it him/herself.
 

What are the penalties for losing the scholarship?

The scholarship holder must reimburse the cost of the scholarship if, in the opinion of KAS ADELA, he/she has acted in any of the ways described below:

    Contravened the laws of Panama and/or the regulations and rules of the study centre.
    Has had a poor academic performance.
    Interrupted or changed study programmes without adequate justification.
    Failed to comply with any other obligation set out in the respective contract.
    Contravened the principles of KAS.

 

At the end of my studies with the scholarship, what are my duties?

    To submit to KAS ADELA, within a period to be determined after the end of the study programme covered by the KAS scholarship, a final report on the completed study programme, an evaluation of the course and concrete information on how the acquired knowledge will be further applied in Panama.
    Cooperate with KAS ADELA, at the end of the studies, in the evaluation of the impact of the KAS Scholarship Programmes.
    When requested by KAS ADELA, cooperate, to the extent possible, in activities to expand scholarship opportunities.

 

What happens if I do not complete the study programme of my scholarship?

If the scholarship holder changes or interrupts his or her programme of study, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation must be informed. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the scholarship.

Do I have to reimburse the costs of the scholarship at any point in time?

The scholarship holder will only have to reimburse the scholarship costs if, in the opinion of the KAS, he/she has acted in any of the ways described below:

    Contravened the laws of Panama and/or the regulations and rules of the study centre.
    He/she has performed poorly academically.
    Used scholarship resources for any purpose other than the original purpose.
    Failed to comply with any other obligation established in the respective contract.
    Contravened the principles of KAS.

 

I am a retired person, can I apply for a study or research grant?

Yes, you can. All Panamanians and legal residents in the country may apply for a scholarship from the Programme. Likewise, all applicants must include a Letter of Motivation in their application.