Why did you decide to finance your doctorate with a scholarship?
The other financing options – such as a position at another department or a part-time job outside the university – did not suit my situation. I really wanted to carry out my research project with my current doctoral supervisor, but there were no vacancies at her institute. Funding from an external position would have been a stopgap solution, as the extra work would probably have significantly prolonged my doctoral studies. Only secondly did aspects such as flexible time for academic and non-academic activities during the doctoral phase and networking with other doctoral candidates become more important to me.
How did you find out about the right scholarship, or what helped you make your decision?
Choosing the right scholarship among the Foundations for Talented Students (“Begabtenförderungswerke”) was relatively easy for me, because I was able to rule out some options right away. I am not religious, and scholarships that are strongly tied to a particular subject did not fit my research project. It therefore quickly became clear that a party-affiliated or trade union foundation would be the most suitable option for me. In addition, my political involvement and the information on the foundations' websites enabled me to assess which foundation would suit me best.
What support services did you use to prepare your scholarship application?
The amount of time you can spend preparing your scholarship application depends greatly on your personal circumstances and the deadlines set by the funding organizations. I was in regular contact with the doctoral advising service at the Bonn Graduate Center, which provided me with information about my chances of success and important requirements. I contacted the foundations directly with specific questions. Looking back, “close your eyes and go for it” probably best describes my short but intense preparation phase. It is possible to prepare an application in a short period of time.
In your opinion, what were the biggest challenges during the application and selection process?
One major challenge was the pressure that a successful application would determine whether I could pursue my doctorate as planned. During the selection process, I found it difficult to assess my chances and not constantly think about what I could have done better. Added to this was the financial uncertainty during the transition period. Furthermore, the expectations of some foundations create structural hurdles that are particularly difficult to overcome for people who have to work part-time to finance their studies or who have other commitments.
What are the three most important tips you would give to applicants for a doctoral scholarship?
The following considerations were particularly helpful to me:
(1) Make sure that the scholarship is a good fit for you and your interests, and find out exactly what the foundation expects in advance, as this will increase your chances of a successful application.
(2) In the selection interviews, it is important to be clear about your own attitudes. You were invited because of who you are and your abilities, so the foundation representatives have a fundamental interest in you.
(3) Get support from people close to you to help you cope better with pressure and uncertainty.
Thank you for the interview. We wish you all the best and every success for the future!