The Study Foundation of the House of Representatives is a grant programme for young researchers from the United States, Great Britain, France, and the successor states of the Soviet Union, who want either to work on Berlin along with German as well as German-International issues or to use research facilities in Berlin.

The Study Foundation of the Berlin House of Representatives sponsors a scholarship programme for students and young scholars of all fields from France, Great Britain, the USA, and the states succeeding from the former Soviet Union  who want to use research facilities in Berlin. 15 grants are awarded per year.

Presentation

The Study Foundation of the House of Representatives is a grant programme for young researchers from the United States, Great Britain, France, and the successor states of the Soviet Union, who want either to work on Berlin along with German as well as German-International issues or to use research facilities in Berlin.

The Study Foundation of the House of Representatives has been established in order to contribute to the further development of a generation of young scholars from the aforementioned states whose research issues deal with Berlin or Germany. Moreover, the Foundation seeks to awaken or strengthen long-term interest in and understanding ofGermanyin the aforementioned states.

Target Group

The grants of the Study Foundation of the House of Representatives are to be awarded to young university graduates and students with at least a bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent) of all fields, in particular the humanities and social sciences, and whose research or study projects deal with Berlin in a broad sense. The grants should be used in order to advance academic education at all state and state-recognized universities and academic research institutions in Berlin.

Application Requirements

Applicants for a grant of the Study Foundation of the House of Representatives must belong to the elite of young academics in their country, that is, they must have above-average qualifications.

The grants shall be awarded according to academic performance.

The maximum age for applicants is 35 years. Students should have obtained a first academic degree (Bachelor) by the age of 25.

Applicants who have not been academically engaged over an extended period of time after graduation in their home country shall not be considered.

Applicants should submit a detailed research proposal. In addition, they must have already made efforts to get an invitation letter by a university teacher or scholar of a research institution in Berlin. This letter should be submitted with the application materials.

Application Documents

The application materials must be complete in order to be accepted. Incomplete applications shall not be considered by the Study Foundation of the House of Representatives, they will result in the exclusion of the application.

The following documents are to be submitted with the application form:

• Curriculum vitae with a recent photo on the cover page
• A detailed and precise explanation of the study plan and research proposal as well as a description of previous study and research activities particularly relevant to the application
• Proof of existing contacts with university members or research institutions in Berlin (correspondence)
• Two recommendation letters from professors in the relevant field of study providing information about the academic qualifications of the applicant.

In addition, copies of the following certificates and transcripts:

• University transcripts with all annual examinations (including course grades)
• Diplomas or university certificates with final grades.

All transcripts should include an explanation of the grading system. Applicants from the successor states of the Soviet Union should submit a German or English translation of their certificates and transcripts.

Application Submission Date

The grant programme shall be announced in an appropriate manner in the United States, Great Britain, France, and the succesor states of the Soviet Union.

Application forms should be requested from the Study Foundation of the Berlin House of Representatives and should be sent by the applicant to the Study Foundation.

The application deadline is December 15 of each year.

The receipt date of the documents in Berlin is decisive.

Award

The award amount varies according to the level of education. The monthly grant rate amounts to

• € 1.080 for graduate students, and  
• € 1.610 for postdoctoral researchers

The monthly grant rate includes the rent for an apartment in the International Studies Centre Berlin (€ 310). Housing allowances for other flats are not included.

Inaddition, a fixed travel allowance is paid in order to travel to Berlin and back (a lump sum of € 200 within Europe; and a lump sum of € 600 outside Europe).

Additional funding is possible in justified cases.

The final amount of the grant will be fixed by the Study Foundation of the House of Representatives.

The grant holders shall pay their health, accident, and nursing care insurance themselves.

Other grants shall not be held simultaneously with the grant of the Study Foundation of the House of Representatives. The grant holders shall not engage in outside employment. Exceptions shall be decided by the Foundation.

The grant shall, as a rule, only be paid as long as the grant holder resides in Berlin for the duration of the grant. If a longer absence from the place of study is necessary for professional reasons, the Foundation must be informed about the reasons, destination, and duration of the sojourn four weeks in advance of the trip.

The grants are valid for one academic year, and they are not extendable. They begin on October 1 and end on July 31 of the following year.

The grant must be taken up on October 1. If this date is not met, the grant will become invalid. A later starting date can be set in justified exceptional cases.

Selection Criteria

• Academic achievements, results of examinations, special expertise
• Academic quality and feasibility of the project
• Recommendation letters of professors/experts in the relevant field of study
• Invitation letter of a Berlin university teacher or proof of contact with the chosen host institution
• Civic engagement
• Appropriate German language skills

The Executive Committee of the Foundation finally decides about the awarding of the grants.

Executive committee

• Prof. Dr. Christof Helberger (Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre und Wirtschaftsrecht der TU)
• Prof. Dr. Hartmut Kaelble (Institut für Geschichtswissenschaften der HU)
• Prof. Dr. Brigitte Handwerker (Institut für deutsche Sprache und Linguistik der HU)
• Prof. Dr. Volker Mertens (Institut für deutsche und niederländische Philologie der FU)
• Prof. Dr. Dieter Ohr (Institut für Soziologie der FU)
• Prof. Jochem Schmitt (FB Rechtswissenschaft der FU)
• Prof. Dr. Michael Fromm (Institut f. Klinische Physiologie der Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin)
• Prof. Dr. Friedrich Körber (Arbeitsbereich Physiologische und Klinische Chemie, FU)

TU: Technische Universität Berlin

HU: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

FU: Freie Universität Berlin