30 students at Aalen University of Applied Sciences are currently funded with a Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship program) . The fact that this large number of scholarships can be awarded is mainly due to the generous support of mainly regional companies and foundations - there are currently 14 sponsors. Sponsors and scholarship holders came together at a joint club event at the institution of higher education.
"You can be really proud of yourself"
"It takes the pressure off having to go to work. It's a great relief, especially during the examination period. And it's also great for financing, funding my organ lessons," says Elisa Weiß. The Mechatronics student specializing in medical technology is one of the 30 students currently funded by the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme) at Aalen University of Applied Sciences. "You have all shown what you are made of. You can be really proud of yourselves - and so can we that we have such a great and large group of scholarship holders here," said Vice-Rector Prof . Dr. Iman Taha in her welcoming speech. On behalf of the institution of higher education, she thanked the sponsoring companies and foundations: "This support is much more than a financial contribution - it is a sign of confidence in our students. Because with your commitment, you are not only investing in individual educational paths, but also helping to strengthen the innovative power and competitiveness of our country in the long term."
Outstanding assignment, credit, performance and commitment on a voluntary basis
There are currently 14 predominantly regional companies and foundations that make the scholarships possible through their support. The Deutschlandstipendien are awarded to students and first-year students whose personal background indicates outstanding assignment, credit, performance in Studies and appointments for professors; appointment funds. In addition to convincing marks (UK), grades (US), social commitment and special personal assignments, credit, performance are also taken into account. Those who meet these prerequisite(s) receive 150 euros a month from one of the sponsors. The federal government then adds another 150 euros on top, so that scholarship holders receive a total of 300 euros.
Studies with a practical orientation
At the club event in the large Senate room at Aalen University of Applied Sciences, representatives of the sponsoring companies and foundations - such as the Carl Zeiss Foundation, Max Schlatterer GmbH & Co. KG, Kreissparkasse Ostalb, Kessler+Co GmbH & Co. KG and Inneo Solutions GmbH - met with the scholarship holders. Finley Erler is funded by the Sigi and Hans Meder Foundation. Since October, the 19-year-old from near Leipzig has been studying Optical Engineering with in-depth practice; practical experience at Carl Zeiss SMT in Oberkochen. "I really wanted to study with a practical orientation, and the collaboration, cooperation with Zeiss is great," says the young man. In order to be a little more irrespective of the German Railways when traveling to his home country, he recently bought a car. "It does add up to a bit of fuel costs, so I'm very happy about the support from the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship program)," says Erler, grinning mischievously.
"The scholarship is a great privilege"
Anna-Lena Schill, who has been studying Mechatronics with a special field in Medical Technology since the summer semester 2025, is also pleased about the financial clearance of outstanding debts: "It means I don't have to worry so much about the funding of studies and can instead concentrate on my studies and continue to get involved on a voluntary basis." The 22-year-old, who comes from near Reutlingen and is also supported by the Sigi and Hans Meder Foundation, actively helps out at the Christian Association of Young People (CVJM) and the Aalen Student Mission in her free time. The cheerful young woman would also like to use her Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship program) to finance part of her practical semester in a school, practical semester abroad. "I would like to complete this next year in a hospital in Malawi," says Schill, who has already gained experience in Uganda. "The African culture and the people there really fascinate me. They have so much less and yet are so much more grateful than we are," says the student ... and adds with a smile: "I'm delighted that my plans to go abroad are within reach. It's a great privilege to be awarded a scholarship."
The 1. academic (allg.) breakthrough of tomorrow
Luitgard Abele from the Carl Zeiss Foundation also thinks the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship program) is a great thing: "We are delighted to be able to create space for young, committed talent. That was the goal with which the Carl Zeiss Foundation started funding the Deutschlandstipendium over ten years ago." The foundation currently supports 150 Deutschlandstipendien in Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia. "Our hope is that one of these talents will perhaps achieve one or two of tomorrow's 1. academic science and scholarshop (allgem.) breakthroughs - or maybe even win a Nobel Prize," says Abele with a smile.
Entertaining insights into shape memory alloys and plastics recycling
Following the round of introductions and the presentation of certificates to the new scholarship holders, there was a keynote speech by Germany scholarship holder Nicolas Smolka on shape memory alloys and an introductory lecture on the topic of artificial intelligence in plastics recycling. This was held in an entertaining and interesting way by four students and doctoral candidates, doctoral students of Prof. Dr. Iman Taha.
Information: If you would like to take part in the new 2026/27 round, you can apply for a Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme) here until the end of July/beginning of August.
