High Achieving and Socially Committed: Deutschlandstipendium Awarded

They stand out due to their great performance and are active in the community: 104 Students from the University of Bremen will receive a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. The scholarship includes financial support and free workshops for the development of soft skills.

“Our 104 scholarship holders currently belong to a group of more than 27,000 supported students across the country,” states the University of Bremen president, Professor Bernd Scholz-Reiter, during the awarding ceremony, which was held on campus on Thursday, November 21, 2019. “These impressive numbers show that companies, foundations, associations, and private persons in Bremen and in the whole of the republic are pleased to take responsibility for our joint future. I would like to congratulate all scholarship holders and thank all sponsors for their support.”

A Special Feature of the University of Bremen

Within the frame of the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, the government, companies, associations, foundations, and private persons provide support to high-achieving students. In this way, society takes on responsibility for young talent and makes an important contribution for the future. For one year, the scholarship holders receive a monthly sum of 300 euros. One half of said amount is paid by the government and the other half is paid by private sponsors. A special feature with regard to the University of Bremen is that the selection criteria is not only made up of the school or university performance but also social/community commitment. The scholarships are awarded by a scholarship committee, which is made up of students and professors of the university.

“Support Talented, Socially Committed People”

Many sponsors are not only involved in the financing for one year but have agreed to be a part of the project for a longer period of time. “We wish to support talented, young people who are socially committed and stand for others. We want to support them and help them at the start of their careers,” explains the sponsor Jürgen Christian Brede from Brede Stiftung (foundation). “The foundation goal of Brede Stiftung comprises the support of upbringing, education, and science, especially via the awarding of scholarships to young talents. We are pleased to use the cooperations with the higher education institutes in Bremen / Bremerhaven for this.”

“Recognition and Encouragement”

“To me, being a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship holder means receiving appreciation, recognition, and encouragement for what I am doing outside of the university,” explains Lilianna Pfeiffer. Within the voluntary Herzenswunschambulanz association, she is involved in fulfilling the wishes of the aged and seriously ill people.

Over Half Receive Support for the First Time

Of the 104 supported students, over half (60) are receiving financial support for the first time. 20% of them care for children or relatives. More than 60% study on a part-time basis alongside working. Nearly half are master’s students. Around 55% come from a so-called non-academic household and 25% have a health restriction or disability.

Workshops

After the awarding ceremony, the ideal accompanying support for the scholarship holders at the University of Bremen enters the next phase. The support, in this case workshops, helps them to acquire soft skills for mastering life and career decisions. Offers from the sponsors provide insights into various fields of work and valuable networks. With the help of this support, the students are able to apply their own potential and networking opportunities more effectively.