17 scholarships from the state for doctoral students at OVGU
“The graduate scholarship from the state of Saxony-Anhalt is a very special opportunity for outstanding young scientists in the various departments of the OVGU to work on highly topical research questions,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Franziska Scheffler. On behalf of the Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching, she personally presented the certificates for a graduate scholarship to 10 scholarship holders at the end of September 2025. Since January 1, 2024, the state of Saxony-Anhalt has been supporting a total of 17 new young scientists at the OVGU with the graduate scholarship.
The funding rate is €1,400 per month, plus material and travel expenses. In July 2025, the Ministry of Science increased the basic funding to this amount. "Doctoral candidates are not dependent on funding from thematic project grants or the budget. Personal excellence, an interesting and well-founded research concept, and the support of a university lecturer are decisive for success in the competitive application process. The success of this support for young researchers is evident in the many successfully completed doctorates in recent years," emphasizes Professor Scheffler. The funding is valid for three years, with the possibility of a six-month extension. A total of 38 doctoral students at OVGU currently receive a graduate scholarship from the state.
Provides freedom, support, and confidence
Among the 17 new scholarship recipients are three international doctoral students. One of them is Farnaz Hashemnia, who has been receiving the scholarship since January 2024 for her doctoral studies at the Faculty of Human Sciences. When asked what the scholarship means to her, she replied: “For me, this scholarship is especially meaningful as an Iranian migrant and former activist, as it gives me the freedom, support, and confidence to carry my values into research and to fully dedicate myself to my thesis on migration and identity. At the same time, it connects me to a community of scholars, which I find both inspiring and deeply motivating.”