Basic amount

The scholarships include monthly

• a basic amount of EUR 1025
• a health insurance contribution of up to EUR 102 (on presentation of proof)
• a contribution to material costs of EUR 100.

Supplements

Scholarship holders receive a family allowance of EUR 150 if

1. they are married and the spouse has no income of his/her own.
2. they are single parents and the child/children's maintenance claims against third parties are not met.
3. they are responsible for the maintenance of at least one child.

The family allowance is paid together with the scholarship. If the entitlement arises during the term of a scholarship, it is granted including the month of marriage or the birth of the child.

A childcare supplement is available on proposal for children who are not older than 12 years. The amount of the supplement is

• EUR 150 for one child
• EUR 200 for two children
• EUR 500 for three or more children

The number of children at the beginning of the subsidy is decisive. If the number of children to be taken into account changes, the change will take effect on the 1st of the following month. Benefits according to the BerzGG (Bundeserziehungsgeldgesetz) are offset against the childcare allowance.

In the case of married scholarship holders, the income of the spouse will also be offset against the childcare allowance if it exceeds EUR 33,000 (gross).

The childcare allowance is paid out with the scholarship. Proof of the use of the childcare allowance must be provided.

Family and childcare allowances are not granted if the spouse or the other parent receives a scholarship with corresponding allowances from this programme or from another funding institution.

Supplements for stays abroad to cover additional costs incurred are granted up to EUR 150 per month, unless these are offset within the framework of cooperation agreements.

Offsetting of income

Scholarship holders' own income from non-academic activities is generally offset against the basic amount, including tax if applicable. Income from academic activities that does not exceed EUR 3,000 per year during the term of a scholarship, as well as income from assets, is not taken into account. The scholarship is tax-free.

Duration of funding

A scholarship can be granted for a maximum of three years. An interruption of a maximum of 6 months is only possible in justified exceptional cases, in particular in the event of the birth of a child. Payment of the scholarship is suspended for the duration of the interruption. In the event of incapacity to work due to illness, payment of the scholarship may be continued for up to 6 months in cases of particular hardship upon presentation of a medical certificate. The decision is made by the programme managers at the universities.

Obligations of scholarship holders

Scholarship holders must devote their full working capacity to the doctoral project, report to their supervisor at regular intervals on the progress of their work, participate in the programme's activities and discuss any difficulties with their personal supervisor or a contact person appointed by the programme in good time.

Scholarship holders are obliged to inform the university immediately of any circumstances relevant to the calculation of the scholarship and any changes in their financial and personal circumstances.

Scholarship holders must be informed of their obligations by means of a letter of authorisation from the university. This notification must also include: the specific research project, the composition of the scholarship amount, reference to tax exemption, start and processing of payments, duration and reasons for cancellation.

Scholarship holders are required to confirm acceptance of the scholarship and acknowledgement of the conditions of approval in writing.

Selection procedure

The selection criteria and the procedure for awarding the scholarships are set out in the regulations of the associated doctoral degree programme. It should also be noted that applicants should generally not be older than 30 years of age when they join the programme.