104 students receive a Deutschlandstipendium Financial support for their studies and a network for their professional future

More time to study thanks to a Deutschlandstipendium (‘Germany scholarship’): 59 female and 45 male students at Technische Universität Braunschweig will receive a grant of 300 euros per month for one year. TU Braunschweig was able to attract 42 sponsors from industry, foundations, associations and private individuals, who donated a total of €187,200. Together with the top-up from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), a total of €374,400 was awarded. Students and sponsors came together at the award ceremony on 8 February 2024.

Some of the sponsors are participating for the thirteenth time since the start of the nationwide scholarship programme in 2011. The number of scholarships has grown steadily over the years. Since the first year of the programme, TU Braunschweig has almost doubled the number of Deutschlandstipendien from 60 to 104. In total, 1,109 students have been supported with almost two million euros in 13 years.

The scholarship holders and their sponsors. Photo credit: Andreas Bormann/TU Braunschweig

“Thanks to the commitment of the sponsors, the scholarship programme has become a real success story. With the Deutschlandstipendium, our sponsors successfully accompany young people through their studies and often beyond,” said vice-president Professor Katja Koch at the award ceremony.

Strong network

In addition to the financial support of 300 euros per month, the scholarship also offers an ideal support programme and a strong network. Students can make contacts at an early stage and build a network for their future careers. As many scholarship holders wish to stay in contact with each other after the end of their scholarship, the newly founded Alumni Network at TU Braunschweig has been introduced. The network offers a place of exchange where TU Braunschweig alumni can learn from other alumni, make valuable contacts and stay in touch, but also take advantage of offers such as network meetings, alumni talks and counselling services.

Achievement and commitment

The scholarships are awarded to students from all six faculties. The focus is on engineering programmes. A total of 400 students have applied for this programme. Students can apply online for a one-year scholarship, which they can do several times during the standard period of study. It is also possible to apply before starting your studies. The main selection criteria, which are uniform throughout Germany, are “talent and achievement”. Voluntary work, a sense of responsibility or special personal circumstances may also be taken into account when awarding a scholarship.

Scholarship strengthens focus on studies

Before many sponsors had the opportunity to personally present their scholarship recipients with their certificates, biotechnology student Michele Brömme thanked the sponsors for their support in his speech. “The scholarship provides us with financial support so that we can focus even more on our studies”. Despite the different disciplines and life paths of the scholarship holders, he emphasised the similarities. “These include the pursuit of knowledge and progress, and the desire to make the world a better place in the long term. This is in line with the aims of the Deutschlandstipendium, which you make possible through your generous support”.

About the Deutschlandstipendium

The Deutschlandstipendium is a programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in which every euro donated by private individuals, companies and foundations is doubled by the BMBF. The selected students receive a monthly grant of 300 euros for two semesters. In addition to the financial aspect, the programme focuses on supporting the students’ ideas. The sponsors offer opportunities to get to know each other, to get a taste of the programme and to network.