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Upgrading BAföG – Advanced Training Assistance Act (AFBG)
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Last updated: 14.6.2025

The Upgrading BAföG specifically supports skilled workers in their professional upskilling. It offers a combination of grants and loans to finance both course and examination fees, as well as living expenses during advanced training. This program stands out by combining individual support with income-dependent assistance to facilitate access to demanding advanced training in all professional fields.

Who is supported?

The Upgrading BAföG specifically supports individuals who wish to professionally upskill. The funding is aimed at participants in professional advanced training in Germany, and under certain conditions, also in other EU member states. The goal is to provide participants with financial support for training costs and, if necessary, for living expenses.

What is supported?

The Upgrading BAföG supports professional advanced training measures in almost all professional fields. Both course and examination fees, as well as material costs for examination pieces, are financed. The funding is geared towards specific advanced training goals that lead to state-recognized qualifications.

Type and Scope of Funding

The Upgrading BAföG offers a combination of grants and loans. A large part of the funding for training costs and the entire maintenance allowance are granted as a subsidy. The maximum funding duration varies depending on the form of advanced training.

Conditions and Requirements

Funding is subject to specific requirements regarding the participants' pre-qualification, the quality of the advanced training measure, and regular attendance. There are also regulations for cooperation with KfW and for handling other funding.

Application Procedure

Applications for funding are submitted to the responsible authorities in the federal states. Approval is granted by a public law decision, which also contains the conditions for a KfW loan.

The Upgrading BAföG is based on the Advanced Training Assistance Act (AFBG) and is supplemented by other relevant sections of the Social Code. These legal bases define the funding conditions, the scope of benefits, and responsibilities.

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Funding Overview

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

€15,000

Deadline

Deadline:

always open

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Individual Aid

Region

Region:

Germany (EU Member States)

Sectors

Sectors:

Other

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Individuals pursuing professional advanced training

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Capacity Building, Product Development, Process Optimization

Funding Provider

Program Level: National

Funding Body: Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Managed By: Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), responsible authorities in the individual federal states

Website: Förderämter und Beratung