Full Scholarship for female PhD Student in the STEM Field

Based on the life story of company founder Ursula Ida Lapp (1930-2021), the idea was born to support women in STEM fields and pass on the values of the family business. Matthias Lapp, CEO of the Lapp Group and grandson of the entrepreneur: “My grandmother founded the company with my grandfather at the age of 30, successfully managed it for 60 years and mastered the balancing act between children and career. On her 90th birthday, I promised her that Lapp would support smart and innovative women with a scholarship. This promise has now become reality.”

The scholarship is explicitly aimed at women up to the age of 40 from Germany and abroad who wish to pursue a doctoral project in the STEM fields (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology) at Heilbronn University. Heilbronn University pays particular attention to women with special challenges such as a refugee or migrant background, raising children or caring for relatives. In addition, doctoral topics related to sustainability and social commitment are encouraged in the applications. A selection committee made up of experts from various disciplines at Heilbronn University and two representatives from Lapp make the funding decision in a three-stage selection process. Professor Ruth Fleuchaus, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Diversity at Heilbronn University, says: “We are very pleased to be able to establish an extension of our PhD funding for women at HHN through our cooperation with Lapp. Supporting women in their careers in academia is a part of our university’s DNA. With Lapp, we have a partner at our side that shares these values with us.”

Scholarship holder receives at least 80,000 euros in funding

The scholarship usually runs for three years and amounts to 1800 euros per month for living expenses. In addition, further funding options such as a monthly child allowance, annual travel allowances for specialist conferences and participation in publication and printing costs are possible. This results in a funding amount of between 80,000 and 100,000 euros for the three years. Lapp also provides the scholarship holder with non-material support with regard to her career and further training - for example in the form of mentoring, participation in workshops or exchanges with experts at Lapp.