Funding Programmes

Here you will find important points of contact for women scientists, who are looking for funding, networks or support in balancing motherhood and a scientific career. 

Leibniz Mentoring 

The Leibniz Association supports and promotes equal opportunities. The Leibniz Mentoring programme for women researchers at Leibniz institutions is an important strategy for promoting equal opportunities and increasing the number of women in leadership positions.

The aim of Leibniz Mentoring is to support highly qualified post doctoral women researchers toward assuming leadership positions and professorships. The programme helps women researchers steer their careers purposefully, build specialist networks and take on leadership roles with confidence. 

dynaMENT  

English mentoring program for young female scientists* (cooperation between MIN, research networks and DESY) on the Bahrenfeld campus. It is intended to accompany female accompany female* doctoral and postdoctoral researchers of the partner institutes during this important phase of their career development.

Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation 

Founded in 2004, the Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard (CNV) Foundation for the promotion of science and research supports talented young mothers in science by giving them the freedom and mobility required to further their careers. The foundation would like to prevent the loss of outstanding talents in science and is aimed at PhD students in the fields of experimental natural sciences or medicine. 

German University Women’s Association (Deutscher Akademikerinnen Bund e.V., DAB)

The DAB is the oldest association of German academic women and offers a variety of advisory and networking opportunities. The DAB seeks to enable women academics to effectively use their specialist knowledge and pursue a career with children as a way of life. The association also promotes lifelong learning and seeks to improve the status of women and girls by gender mainstreaming. 

European Platform of Women Scientists (EPWS) 

The EPWS is a network and advocate for European women scientists. The organisation represents over 30 000 women scientists from a variety of disciplines and levels of qualification. 

The Hildegardis Association

Founded in 1907, the Hildegardis Association is the oldest association to promote the university education of women in Germany. The association’s aim is to sustainably improve conditions for women’s education by shaping social environments as well as supporting individuals with loans, family scholarships, mentoring programmes and coaching. In 2008 the Hildegardis Association launched the first nationwide mentoring program for women students with disabilities. 

L’Oréal - UNESCO For Women in Science 

In partnership with the Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation, L'Oréal-UNESCO's For Women in Science programme promotes outstanding women scientists with children in Germany. Each year three PhD students are awarded funding for one year. The support amounts to a maximum of €20.000 per PhD student and comprises three parts:

• A 400 € monthly relief for household help/childcare
• A customised career development programme including coaching, mentoring and seminars
• A financial contribution to the research institution for improved childcare provision

The application deadline is on the 31.12. of each year.

Application submissions: Please enable JavaScript to render this link! 

Contact Point "Women into EU Research" (FiF)

FiF gathers and disseminates information on gender equality in EU research funding, participation rates, and other relevant resources. The service includes talks and workshops at universities and other research institutions in Germany as well as information about Horizon 2020 and the EU's policy on gender equality in research. 

Förderdatenbank  

The "Förderdatenbank" offers information about support programmes and financial support options by the Federal government, the states and the EU. 

MyStipendium  

The online service www.mystipendium.de helps students and PhD students searching for scholarships. The service is for free. 

DZIF: Maternity Leave Stipends  

The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) offers a “maternity leave stipend” in order to support women re-entering the academic work force after maternity or parental leave.