Femtec: Career development for female STEM students
Are you a STEM student who wants to actively shape the future? Can you imagine being a trailblazer for the workplace of tomorrow—a workplace that is more diverse and sustainable? Do you want to look beyond the academic world and gain insights into the corporate world? Then Femtec is the perfect place for you!
The Career-Building Program supports you in your individual career planning and prepares you for future leadership roles in business or academia. It connects you with like-minded STEM enthusiasts and offers you space for personal development and new perspectives. You’ll receive a free workshop program and exclusive insights into leading companies. The attractive opportunities offered by our corporate partners open the door to great entry-level positions (e.g., internships, thesis projects, direct hires, and trainee programs). The current round of application is closed.
*For us, women represent more than just a biological sex. The program is open to anyone who identifies as female, as well as non-binary individuals.
Femtec is headed into the next phase!
We are launching a revised version of the Femtec Career-Building Program in 2026. The new program will be more flexible, and include elective modules tailored to your individual career start. The goal remains the same: to provide you with the best possible guidance and excellent support for your career path in STEM!
Who can apply?
Apply now to get the best start to your future career. Here’s what you need:
- You are a woman* and are studying a STEM subject at the University of Bonn.
- You are enrolled in a master’s program or in the final year of your bachelor’s program (at least in your 4th semester).
- Your German is very good (C1); your English is good (B2).
- You have time to participate in the workshop sessions (September) and the ongoing elective modules.
- You’re interested in getting to know companies in the industry and getting a taste of the working world.
* For us, women represent more than just a biological gender. The program is open to everyone who identifies as female, as well as non-binary individuals.
Apply now by July 12, 2026!
The current application round has ended. The next round for interested female STEM students is expected to open at the start of the 2027 summer semester for the program period September 2027–September 2028.
What does the program look like?
The program runs over one year and consists of two workshop blocks (known as “Schools”) that take place in person during the break between semesters. Each School offers engaging modules in which you’ll acquire important hard and soft skills for the workplace. In addition to the Schools, there are various elective modules and hands-on opportunities offered by corporate partners that you can take online or in a hybrid format. Most of the workshops will be conducted in German.
With Femtec, you’ll gain guidance for your career path, insights into top-tier companies from all over Germany, a strong network of powerful women, and the best start to a fulfilling professional career!
School 1: Empower Yourself
You'll get to know yourself better and discover your strengths and weaknesses. Together, we'll figure out where you want to go.
School 2: Shape Your Career
You'll receive tools and tips for specific professional situations, such as job interviews or salary negotiations.
Practical Elective Modules
You’ll choose at least two elective modules that provide you with practical insights into the professional world. These could include, for example, company visits or a professional challenge.
Important dates:
12 July
Application Deadline
21 July
Kick-off event (hybrid)
Sept 2026
First School
What Alumnae say about their experience
Judith (MSc Plant Sciences):
“The Femtec career building program creates the perfect environment to grow personally while being surrounded by a community of supportive and truly inspiring female students.”
Vaishnavee (MSc Life Science Informatics):
"Femtec helped me rebuild my confidence, strengthen how I present my academic skills, and recognize the importance of networking. It empowered me to grow as a woman in STEM and approach my path with greater clarity and confidence."
Patricia (MSc Mathematics):
“Femtec is a very enriching experience. The atmosphere with the rest of the girls is amazing and the exchange of perspectives is the most valuable learning I am taking with me.”
FAQs
Use our online application form to send us your standard application materials and tell us in your statement of purpose why you’re a good fit for the program—and why the program is a good fit for you! The deadline for submissions is July 12! We’ll pre-select candidates from the applications we receive and invite them to an interview. The interviews will take place online from July 14–16, 2026.
The program is designed to run entirely alongside your regular coursework. We strive to schedule activities and events during breaks from classes whenever possible.
The program begins with a hybrid kick-off on July 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All scholarship recipients from Bonn will meet in person in Bonn, and we’ll join the event remotely. Scholarship recipients from the other universities and representatives from the partner companies will also participate. At the kick-off, you’ll get to know everyone else and learn the details of the program.
The first school will take place in September and October. On September 22 and 23, you’ll participate in in-person workshops in Berlin. On October 1, there will be a concluding online session.
The second school will then take place in September 2027.
The FEMTEC Career-Building Program offers free workshops and hands-on experience to help students explore career paths in STEM fields. Important: This is not a financial scholarship and cannot be converted into cash.
The Transfer Center enaCom offers you a travel allowance to cover travel and lodging expenses for in-person workshops. You will receive more details after the program begins.
STEM subjects
STEM stands for the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and math.
Who is behind FEMTEC?
The FEMTEC Career-Building Program consists of strong partners from universities and companies throughout Germany. Under the umbrella of the Kompetenzzentrum Technik-Diversity-Chancengleichheit e.V., they jointly offer the Career-Building Program for female STEM students. Participants have the opportunity to join the CURIA network (formerly Femtec Alumnae) after graduation. Dedicated women in STEM, renowned technology companies, and leading scientific institutions and universities together form the Femtec Network!
The FEMTEC history
The program was implemented by FEMTEC GmbH (EAF Berlin and TU Berlin) from 2001 to 2026. Since 2026, it has been coordinated by the Kompetenzzentrum Technik-Diversity-Chancengleichheit e.V. The core aspects of the program remain unchanged: supporting female students in STEM fields, close, practice-oriented cooperation with leading companies and universities, and targeted preparation for diverse career paths in science, business, and society. In this way, Femtec actively contributes to promoting equal opportunity in STEM.
Partner universities
- RWTH Aachen
- TU Berlin
- University of Bonn
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- University of Stuttgart
Partner companies
- ABB
- EnBW
- Daimler Truck
- Fraunhofer Society
- Procter & Gamble
- Telekom AG
