More Germany Scholarships at LMU than ever
6 Jul 2025
More than 500 students are receiving scholarships in 2025. For the most recent award, Vice President Professor Oliver Jahraus chose the Biomedical Center in Martinsried
6 Jul 2025
More than 500 students are receiving scholarships in 2025. For the most recent award, Vice President Professor Oliver Jahraus chose the Biomedical Center in Martinsried
at the presentation of certificates in the Biomedical Center of the LMU | © LMU
Hot outdoors, but nice and cool indoors: After refreshments to welcome guests on the patio outside the auditorium at the LMU Biomedical Center on the Martinsried campus, the gathering for the award of this year’s Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarships) switched venues – not only to the biggest auditorium at LMU, but also to one of the most modern. The 301 new scholarship holders supported in the summer semester were thus treated to impeccable sound as e-violinist Anna licked off the event with a musical introduction. Despite the summer heat, they then enjoyed agreeable temperatures as they received their scholarship certificates from the sponsors.
“The scholarship holders possess all the skills they need for their studies,” said Vice President Jahraus. “But they have not always experienced ideal conditions in life.” Yet each individual was giving something back to society in many and varied ways, he added. “So, today, we want to give them something back.” Jahraus once again lauded the idea behind the Germany Scholarship: “It is quite simply the ideal vehicle.” Once a sponsor has been found for a talented and committed young person, federal government doubles the amount provided to 300 euros per month, irrespective of the person’s other income.
That, the Vice President insists, is of crucial importance, because the scholarship holders are making a significant contribution. “Their commitment impacts on civil society, but also on the University.” Many of them would otherwise not be able to afford to study and would have to give up their voluntary service to support themselves with a sideline job. The certificate was thus also a token of respect, he explained. Another benefit is that the Germany Scholarship brings the holders together with their individual sponsors. “We are one big family, so this whole thing is also a kind of family gathering,” Jahraus concluded.
The Germany Scholarship is also an investment in mitigating climate change.Professor Oliver Jahraus, Vice President Teaching and Studies at LMU
This year saw Professor Jahraus present the certificates for the last time. “In a democracy, public offices are held for a limited term,” he explained. Rather than feeling melancholy about the change, however, he is looking forward to returning to his academic chair – albeit with many fond memories relating to the Germany Scholarship. “One example was at the certificate awards ceremony during Covid, when I danced ecstatically in a completely empty aula – watched only by a camera,” he laughs. Another was the virtual chocolate tasting event a year later.
Yet another special moment was, of course, the first time the certificates were handed over in person again in 2023 – and that at Nymphenburg Castle. In the same year, the first forest visit also took place: Here, sponsors were each able to plant a tree bearing their own plaque in the LMU forest near Landshut. “A seedling is an investment in the future – as is the Germany Scholarship,” Jahraus explains. Also in 2023, a second certificate presentation ceremony was held because, thanks to a challenge, a Frankfurt law firm was able to award ten additional scholarships. Right now, support is being provided to more students than ever before.
Before singer Nina Margulis and keyboard player Inna Surzhenko brought the evening to an end with their music, Viktoria Marie Martens said a few words on behalf of the scholarship holders. For the psychology student who is now in her second semester, the road leading to her studies was “a rocky one”. For her, the scholarship was therefore a huge source of relief, as it “gave” her lots of time. And she had been aware from an early age just how important time is: Even as a young girl, she would look after her seriously ill grandparents. She was particularly impressed by the tree planting campaign in the LMU forest. “That touched me,” Martens says, “because we too can grow if are given space and support.”
The Germany Scholarship is a nationwide program to support high-achieving and committed students, irrespective of personal or parental income. Scholarship holders receive 300 euros a month, half of which is paid by the federal government and half by private sponsors such as companies, foundations and private individuals. Students of any discipline and all nationalities – be they beginners or advanced students – can apply. Alongside very good school or academic performance, societal commitment, especially challenging personal circumstances and social criteria also play an important part in candidate selection. For more information, please visit the Deutschlandstipendium website at LMU.