In 2025, more than 500 students at LMU received Deutschlandstipendium scholarships —more than ever before. For the ceremonial presentation of the certificates, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at LMU, Professor Oliver Jahraus, once again chose a special location this year: the LMU Biomedical Center on the Martinsried campus. The event is intended to express appreciation for the scholarship recipients – as well as for the sponsors.
Grand opening with electric violin and electric cello | © LMU
Heat outside, coolness inside: After a reception with refreshments on the terrace in front of the lecture hall at the LMU Biomedical Center on the Martinsried campus, this year's Deutschlandstipendium award ceremony took place not only in the largest lecture hall at LMU, but also in one of the most modern. This allowed the 301 scholarship recipients funded for the summer semester to enjoy the brilliant musical opening by electric violinist Anna with the best sound quality. And then, despite the summer heat, they received their funding certificates from the sponsors in pleasant temperatures.
Students and sponsors at the scholarship award ceremony | © LMU
“The scholarship recipients have the best prerequisites for studying,” said Vice President Jahraus. “But they have not always had the best prerequisites in life.” Nevertheless, each and every one of them gives something back to society in many different ways. “Today, we would like to give something back to you,” emphasized Jahraus. He once again praised the concept of the Deutschlandstipendium: “It is simply the perfect structure.” Once a sponsor has been found for a talented and committed young person, the federal government doubles the amount to 300 euros per month, regardless of income.
According to Jahraus, this is crucial because the scholarship recipients make an important contribution. “Their commitment has an impact on civil society and also on the university.” Many would otherwise not be able to afford to study or would have to give up their voluntary work in favor of a part-time job. The certificate is therefore also a sign of appreciation. The Deutschlandstipendium also brings the recipients together with their respective sponsors. “We are one big family – and so the whole thing is also a kind of family reunion,” said the vice president.
Vice President Jahraus at the pandemic certificate ceremony | © LMU
This year's certificate ceremony is his last. “In a democracy, offices are limited in time,” Jahraus explained. But he is not feeling melancholic and is looking forward to returning to his chair. He fondly remembers the many wonderful moments associated with the Deutschlandstipendium. “For example, when I danced ecstatically in front of a camera in the deserted auditorium during the certificate ceremony during the pandemic,” he said with a laugh. Or the virtual chocolate tasting a year later.
The Deutschlandstipendium – an investment in the future | © LMU
Of course, the first award ceremony in 2023, held in person once again—and at Nymphenburg Palace, no less—was also a special moment. That same year, the first forest visit took place, during which sponsors were able to plant a tree in the LMU forest near Landshut with their own plaque. “A seedling is an investment in the future – just like the Deutschlandstipendium,” explained Jahraus. There was also a second certificate award ceremony in 2023, as ten additional scholarships were awarded thanks to a challenge by a Frankfurt law firm. Currently, more students than ever before can be supported.
This year's specialist lecture by Prof. Dr. Andreas Ladurner, Head of the Chair of Physiological Chemistry and the Core Facility Biophysics at LMU | © LMU
This year's keynote speech was given by Professor Andreas Ladurner, Head of the Department of Physiological Chemistry and the Core Facility Biophysics at LMU. He described how our metabolism influences our genetic makeup – and what we can learn from this for new therapies. One of the biggest problems of our time is sugar, which people are consuming more and more of. “The consequences: diabetes, liver failure, and cancer.” Fruit flies have a gene switch called Mondo that helps them process sugar. “This could be important for cancer cell development,” explained Ladurner, who has founded a company specializing in novel cancer drugs.
Before the musical finale by singer Nina Margulis and keyboardist Inna Surzhenko, Viktoria Marie Martens gave a speech on behalf of the scholarship recipients. For the second-semester psychology student, the road to university had been “a rocky one.” The scholarship was therefore a great relief for her, “giving” her a lot of time. She realized early on how important time is: even as a young girl, she took care of her seriously ill grandparents. She was particularly impressed by the tree planting campaign in the LMU forest. “That touched me,” she said. “Because we also grow when we are given space and support.”
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Ein weiterer Dank gilt den vielen Spenderinnen und Spendern des Deutschlandstipendiums, die anonym bleiben wollen