More than just a scholarship: The Begabtenförderungswerke offer up-and-coming researchers a wide range of educational opportunities and chances to network with other funding recipients, alumni, and actors from academia, politics and industry. This constitutes the non-material support.

 It’s important to bear in mind that the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) itself does not award any scholarships. It is only possible to apply directly to the Begabtenförderungswerke.

The 13 Begabtenförderungswerke reflect the diversity of the different ideological, religious and political movements in Germany. As such, the organizations have different thematic foci when it comes to their non-material educational and networking support.

For this reason, applicants should check in advance whether the Begabtenförderungswerk in question reflects their own convictions and values.

While it is true that the organizations' funding programmes have different thematic foci due to the diversity of the orientations they represent, all of them consider the civic engagement of the funding recipients to be of central importance. In order to be accepted to receive support from the organizations, it is therefore just as important to demonstrate civic engagement in your application as it is to demonstrate above-average academic performance. 

Other aspects taken into account when it comes to applications for a doctoral scholarship are

• that the degree and exam results submitted demonstrate a particular aptitude for scientific work,
• that the degree which qualifies the candidate to undertake a PhD must have been completed swiftly, and
• that the research aim must give reason to expect that it will yield a significant contribution to research.

For more information on the organizations’ doctoral scholarships, please go to www.stipendiumplus.de/en

What funding is offered by the doctoral scholarships of the Begabtenförderungswerke?

The doctoral scholarships are currently €1450 per month. From the winter semester 2024/2025 onwards, they will be increased to €1550 per month, and from the winter semester 2025/2026 onwards, scholars will receive €1650 per month. In addition to the scholarship funds, doctoral students receive a monthly research allowance of €100. There is also the possibility of receiving supplements for health insurance and family.

How long can I receive funding for?

The usual duration of funding is three years. Extensions are possible for reasons including illness, disability, or childcare responsibilities for children under 14. The maximum duration of funding is four and a half years.

Where can I apply for a doctoral scholarship?

It’s only possible to apply directly to the Begabtenförderungswerke. You can find an overview of the profiles and pathways offered by the 13 organizations here:  www.stipendiumplus.de. You’ll find further information on the organizations’ web pages, which are linked there.

What are the conditions for the awarding of the doctoral scholarships?

The first condition is that the degree and exam results submitted demonstrate a particular aptitude for scientific work; also, the degree which qualifies the candidate to undertake a PhD must have been completed swiftly. Furthermore, the research aim of the PhD must give reason to expect that it will yield a significant contribution to research.

For an application to be successful, civic engagement is just as important as above-average performance. 

For more information on accessing doctoral scholarships, please go to www.stipendiumplus.de/en

Who do I contact if I run into problems?

The awarding of scholarships, as well as the entire scholarships process, is carried out by the Begabtenförderungswerke in accordance with the Additional Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for the Funding of Gifted Students and of Gifted Young Researchers. For this reason, your first contact is always the Begabtenförderungswerk from which you are receiving the scholarship or to which you have applied.

Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024