Athena Scholarship
Individual scholarship for doctoral students of the Faculty of Philosophy at Heidelberg University
Are finances getting tight? Is your part-time job taking up too much time that you urgently need for your doctoral project? Then the Athena Scholarship could provide you with temporary relief: Alumnae and alumni of Heidelberg University support doctoral students from the humanities with a partial scholarship.
Requirements & Deadlines
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 August 2025 – for a maximum of one-year of funding starting with the winter semester 2025/2026
Subject Areas
The scholarship is aimed at doctoral students at the Faculty of Philosophy at Heidelberg University. A "Master of Arts" degree or equivalent is required, but not a "Master of Education" (teaching qualification).
Motivation
Applicants are asked to briefly describe their doctoral project in writing. An attached time schedule should provide information on the current status of the project, its further progress and the intended date of completion.
Financial Situation
The scholarship is aimed at doctoral candidates who need temporary financial support, for example because they have unexpectedly found themselves in an emergency situation or need a temporary grant in order to be able to concentrate fully on their doctoral project or on their final phase of the doctorate. Applicants are asked to briefly describe their situation in this regard and to provide an overview of their income/expenses in the respective form. If you have a part-time job, please follow the detailed instructions in the information sheet.
Funding Period & Funding amount
The scholarship serves to bridge difficult phases and is awarded – depending on requirements – in the amount of approx. EUR 300 to max. EUR 500 per month for one year. Re-application is possible. A condition for renewed funding is a successful evaluation of the doctoral project (personal feedback on the status of the doctorate and endorsement by the supervisor).
Application & Contact
The basis for awarding the scholarship is the letter of motivation including the timetable and the financial situation. Suitable applicants are invited for an interview at the Alumni Office of Heidelberg University. The scholarship is financed by donations from members of the HAI network. The awarding of the scholarship depends on the funds available in the scholarship fund.
If you fulfil the eligibility requirements, please send your documents by 31 August 2025 via email to: stipendien@alumni.uni-heidelberg.de
Questions on the scholarship, the application process or the application documents can also be sent to the above e-mail address.
To be submitted in full (see downloads for forms):
- Curriculum Vitae (in tabular form)
- Meaningful letter of motivation
- Written assessment of the supervisor on the current status and the further planned progress of the doctoral project
- Current certificate of enrolment or alternative proof of ongoing doctoral studies
- Application form
- Overview of income & expenses form
- Declaration of consent form
- If applicable: Compatibility of PhD & secondary employment form
We look forward to receiving your complete and informative application!
The willingness to thank the donors in writing and to support the expansion of the fund (participation as a testimonial in print and online media) is expected. Free membership of the HAI network is desired.