Studienstiftung

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Studienstiftung2.jpg

The German National Academic Foundation or German National Merit Foundation (German: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, short: Studienstiftung) is Germany's largest organisation sponsoring students of outstanding academic achievements. It is non-political and non-denominational.

The Studienstiftung promotes promising undergraduates and PhD students in the areas of science, business, public administration, and the arts. Through its scholarship programme it aims at promoting academic consolidation, interdisciplinary dialogue, a cosmopolitan world view and international experience.

The Studienstiftung is financially supported and subsidised by the Federal Government of Germany, the German Federal States and local authorities as well as by a large number of private donors.

German National Academic Foundation, Headquarters, Bonn
German National Academic Foundation, branch office, Berlin

The Studienstiftung was founded in Dresden in 1925, dissolved in 1934 and re-founded as a registered association in Cologne in 1948. During its existence, it has sponsored more than 50,000 students.

Currently, the foundation sponsors more than 10,000 undergraduates and about 1,000 PhD students (as of October 2008)[1]. Awards are granted after a multi-stage selection process and are based on grades, specialized exams, letters of recommendation, personality and character, and interviews with staff and affiliates of the foundation. Under the principles of uniformity and open access currently characteristic of German universities, the Studienstiftung serves as a main instrument to support highly gifted students in Germany.

Members of the Studienstiftung receive quarterly stipends for living and other expenses. Considered as even more important by the foundation, they can participate in a wide range of seminars and summer schools, as well as language courses and other extra-curricular activities.

The foundation's official motto is Leistung, Initiative, Verantwortung (Achievement, Initiative, Responsibility).

Contents

[edit] Admission

Admission into the German National Academic Foundation is restricted to:

  • Students with German citizenship
  • Students with a European Union nationality studying primarily in Germany or graduating in Germany
  • Students of other nationalities with the German Abitur and studying at a German university, if the parent's income are subject to German taxation

In order to be admitted to the Studienstiftung applicants have to be nominated, they cannot apply. Eligible to submit a nomination are:

  • Headmasters (when graduating from a gymnasium top of class)
  • University professors, departments at German universities at which marked preliminary examinations are held
  • Academic staff, rectors and presidents of universities of applied science
  • Principals of German state colleges of art
  • Principals of German state colleges of music
  • Doctoral supervisors
  • Administrators of affiliated student competitions (for the top national finalists), with competitions being:

The Studienstiftung invites all candidates who fulfil the formal requirements to a two-day assessment centre. Usually, the selection procedure comprises two individual interviews and several group discussions involving the presentation of a short paper. Applicants are expected to have excelled in their academic achievements, to show a strong sense initiative and responsibility. The Studienstiftung also expects candidates to have developed and continue pursuing extracurricular interests and activities. Political convictions, ideology, gender, religion as well as economic and social aspects play no role in the selection process. The average acceptance ratio varies depending on the type of nomination, from 33.5% for freshmen to 54.8% for university nominations (2008). Nevertheless, only 1/4 percent of all students at German universities are sponsored by the Studienstiftung[2].

[edit] Notable alumni

See also Category:Studienstiftung alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes, Jahresbericht 2008 (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes, Bonn, 2009) p.38.]
  2. ^ official Website: http://www.studienstiftung.org/ (in English)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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