Heidelberg University Athena Scholarship 2026

Are finances getting tight? Is your part-time job taking up too much time that you urgently need for your doctoral project? Then the Athena Scholarship could provide you with temporary relief: Alumnae and alumni of Heidelberg University support doctoral students from the humanities with a partial scholarship.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJuly 31, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorHeidelberg University
• City to studyBaden-Württemberg
• School to studyHeidelberg University
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• EUR 300 to max EUR 500 per month for one year.

Re-application is possible. A condition for renewed funding is a successful evaluation of the doctoral project (personal feedback on the status of the doctorate and endorsement by the supervisor).

Requirements

• Subject Areas

  The scholarship is aimed at doctoral students at the Faculty of Philosophy at Heidelberg University. A "Master of Arts" degree or equivalent is required, but not a "Master of Education" (teaching qualification).

• Motivation

  Applicants are asked to briefly describe their doctoral project in writing. An attached time schedule should provide information on the current status of the project, its further progress and the intended date of completion.

• Financial Situation

  The scholarship is aimed at doctoral candidates who need temporary financial support, for example because they have unexpectedly found themselves in an emergency situation or need a temporary grant in order to be able to concentrate fully on their doctoral project or on their final phase of the doctorate. Applicants are asked to briefly describe their situation in this regard and to provide an overview of their income/expenses in the respective form. If you have a part-time job, please follow the detailed instructions in the information sheet.

Application Documents

• Curriculum Vitae (in tabular form)
• Meaningful letter of motivation
• Written assessment of the supervisor on the current status and the further planned progress of the doctoral project
• Current certificate of enrolment or alternative proof of ongoing doctoral studies
• Application form
• Overview of income & expenses form
• Declaration of consent form
• If applicable: Compatibility of PhD & secondary employment form

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• If you fulfil the eligibility requirements, please send your documents by 31 July 2026 via email to: [email protected].

For more information, kindly visit the Heidelberg University webpage.