ATHENA SCHOLARSHIP Support at crucial moments during your doctoral studies
The doctoral phase is an intense and formative time – both professionally and personally. Many doctoral candidates reach their limits during this time, not least financially. This is precisely where the Athena Scholarship, founded in 2025, comes in: it is designed to help cushion short-term financial bottlenecks so that doctoral candidates can focus entirely on what is most important – their academic work.
The initiative for the Athena Scholarship came from Prof. Dr Hannelore Grimm, an alumna of Heidelberg University. After completing her doctorate in psychology, she habilitated in Heidelberg in 1977 and was a professor at Bielefeld University from 1985 to 2004. Her own career was significantly influenced by a Heisenberg scholarship, which enabled her to carry out important research projects in Germany and abroad. This experience inspired her desire to support young scientists during critical phases of their doctoral studies. Explaining the choice of name for the scholarship, she says: “In addition to her many different roles, Athena, often symbolized by an owl, is revered as the goddess of wisdom, prudence, and rational thought – essential qualities for a successful doctoral project.” Her generous initial donation laid the foundation for the Athena Scholarship.
The funding is aimed at doctoral students at Heidelberg University's Faculty of Philosophy who are temporarily in financial distress – whether due to unforeseeable circumstances, the loss of part-time jobs, or the need to concentrate fully on their doctoral project during the final phase. The scholarship is awarded for one year to help bridge difficult phases, in the amount of 300 to 500 euros per month.
To ensure that this important support is not a one-off but can be established on a permanent basis, the Athena Scholarship relies on donations. Financial support for the next generation of scientists can only be secured in the long term through the commitment of alumni, friends, and supporters of the university.
Every donation counts – whether large or small. Support the Athena Scholarship and help talented doctoral students continue their academic careers even in difficult times. Your help creates opportunities – for research, for the future, for science.
