The Bildungsscheck 2.0 in North Rhine-Westphalia
You work in North Rhine-Westphalia and want to further develop your professional skills? Then the Bildungsscheck 2.0 may be an interesting funding opportunity for you. With this program, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia financially supports professional continuing education.
The Bildungsscheck 2.0 is a funding program for professional continuing education. The program is financed by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia together with funds from the European Union (European Social Fund).
The goal of the program is to support employees and people returning to work in improving their employability through lifelong learning.
The funding covers 50% of the training costs, up to a maximum of €500 per person per year.
Important: Travel or accommodation costs are not funded.
The Bildungsscheck 2.0 can be applied for once per calendar year.
Example: The training costs €800
Funding (50%): €400
Your contribution: €400
You can use the Bildungsscheck 2.0 if you:
- have your residence in North Rhine-Westphalia
- have a taxable annual income of no more than €50,000
- if jointly assessed with a partner: maximum €100,000
When applying, you must provide an income tax assessment notice that is not older than two years.
Profession-related training programs that help develop your professional skills are eligible for funding. A professional connection usually exists if the training relates to your current or future professional activity.
Examples of eligible Bildungsurlaub courses:
-
Updating or expanding professional competencies, for example:
- Specialist knowledge
- Communication in the workplace
- Conflict resolution in the company
- Moderating team meetings
- Project management
When applying, you must state which professional goal the training serves.
Among others, the following are not eligible for funding:
- Courses for relaxation, health prevention, or leisure activities
- Offers for sports or artistic activities
- Training for private household management
You must also confirm that no other funding is being used for the same training.
How to apply for the Bildungsscheck 2.0
Research and select your training
Choose a training course that strengthens your professional skills. Make sure it is a profession-related training program.
Register in the online portal
Go to the ESF online portal of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and register there.
After registration, you will receive a code by email to activate your account.
Register the training in the portal
Register your training in the portal under “Bildungsscheck 2.0”.
The registration must be completed no later than the day before the training begins.
Attend the training
Attend your training course. Afterwards, ask the training provider for:
- a confirmation of participation
- an invoice for the training
The provider receives the participation confirmation template through the portal.
Upload documents and receive funding
After completing the training, upload the following documents in the portal:
- confirmation of participation in the training
- invoice from the training provider
- your income tax assessment notice
The responsible district government will review your application. If everything is correct, the funding amount will be transferred directly to your bank account.
Note on the former NRW Bildungsscheck
The previous NRW Bildungsscheck was discontinued in 2024.
Bildungsscheck already issued under the old program can still be submitted for reimbursement until March 31, 2029.
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About The Author
Nils is a digital entrepreneur who combines the digital world with his passion for personal development and work-life balance through meinbildungsurlaub.de. As the initiator of the platform, he wants to to help people achieve their professional and personal goals and promote the topic of Bildungsurlaub.
