The Deutschlandstipendium is a subject-independent scholarship program available nationwide for talented students at state and state-recognized universities. The year 2021 marks the tenth anniversary of its introduction. Hof University of Applied Sciences has been a program partner from the beginning and has already been able to raise around one million EUR in funding for young talent through the scholarship – but further sponsors are welcome.
Image: Hof University of Applied Sciences
For a decade now, particularly gifted students have been rewarded with the Deutschlandstipendium: “The first eleven scholarship holders were named in Hof in the winter semester of 2011. Since then, we usually award between 25 and 32 scholarships each year,” says Melanie Fiedler-Zapf, who coordinates the scholarship together with Claus Beyerlein at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
Shared funding
Recently, the certificates for the scholarships for the current academic year were awarded at Hof University of Applied Sciences. “This is usually done in a very festive setting, to which the sponsors and members of the selection committee are then also invited. Unfortunately, however, this was not yet possible again this time,” says Claus Beyerlein. But of course the young people selected can still be happy: they will all be supported for at least one year with an amount of 3600 EUR, i.e. 300 EUR per month
The funding is usually shared between private companies and the federal government. However, in addition to companies, associations, foundations or private individuals can also act as sponsors.”
Melanie Fiedler-Zapf
However, the support for the young talents does not have to be limited to one year, but can also cover the entire duration of studies.
Over one million in funding
The scholarships now awarded for the winter semester correspond to just under 1.5 percent of all students at Hof University
“Our goal is to increase this quota to about 2 percent in the medium term, which would then correspond to 70 Germany scholarships per year – at least at the current level of our students,” says Claus Beyerlein. Since 2011, a total of 270 individual scholarships have been awarded, bringing the university’s total funding volume to about one million euros, thanks to the commitment of many loyal supporters and the federal government
For this impressive achievement, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, many of whom have been with us for years.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, University President
Particularly loyal partners
Some supporters are particularly committed: The Wilo Foundation, for example, provides the private share for ten scholarships each year, while the companies Netzsch and ThügaSmartmetering GmbH do the same for three talents each year. Of course, such a partnership often results in employment contracts between graduates and the company after graduation. This is then of course the best possible win-win situation,” says Claus Beyerlein. Thüga is also the company that has so far awarded around ten employment contracts to graduates of the Deutschlandstipendium.
Social competence desired
Applicants for the Germany Scholarship have to undergo a selection process. Half of the assessment is based on academic performance. In addition, social competence and honorary commitment to the community are also honored. The selection criteria for the Deutschlandstipendium are interpreted by a separate jury at each participating university: “Special social or family circumstances are often taken into account, as are special integration achievements in the case of a migration background,” say the two coordinators. Naturally, the sponsors who make the Deutschlandstipendium possible in the first place with their financial contributions are particularly important.
More supporters wanted
One-third of the scholarships supported must be awarded freely and unrestrictedly, while two-thirds can be donated on a subject-related basis – in other words, supporting students from disciplines that are particularly relevant to the company itself
The scholarship is a wonderful way to strengthen the performance culture and at the same time reward commitment to society.”
Claus Beyerlein
And he continues, “It is also always particularly nice to see when private individuals take the opportunity to support a particularly talented young person. We then also arrange the contacts and ensure that the sponsored and sponsoring parties can get to know and accompany each other. In many cases, the Deutschlandstipendium also creates wonderful contact between the generations. These are sensible investments that I can only recommend to everyone with full conviction.”
At Hof University of Applied Sciences, the following sponsors, among others, currently support the Deutschlandstipendium:
Wilo Foundation, Erich Netzsch Holding GmbH & C0.KG, ThügaSmartmetering GmbH, F&P GmbH, KSB Foundation, HFO Technology GmbH, Dennree, Rudolf GmbH, TÜV Süd, ontec automation, BD Sensors GmbH;
Those interested in a sponsorship partnership can contact:
Claus Beyerlein:+49 (0) 9281 / 4093342
More information about the scholarship itself at:
www.deutschlandstipendium.de
