CNV Foundation Scholarships for Female Scientists with Children

The CNV Foundation supports outstanding female scientists in the experimental natural sciences and basic medical research who are raising children, giving them the time and mobility to advance their research careers. The scholarship is €500 per month for one year, intended to relieve PhD students and postdocs of domestic tasks rather than to cover living expenses; it starts in the month after acceptance, can be extended by up to one year in justified cases, and holders present their work at an annual foundation meeting. Applications are reviewed by the board and advisory board, which look for candidates with the best prospects of becoming independent researchers; shortlisted applicants are usually interviewed in the second half of February. The annual application window runs from 1 September to 30 November, with two letters of recommendation.

Female PhD students of all nationalities from the second year of their PhD, with the thesis still in its practical phase, researching at universities or research institutes in Germany; and female postdocs of all nationalities researching in Germany, or who obtained their PhD at a German university and continue their research abroad. Applicants work full-time in experimental natural sciences or basic medical research, are raising children and have full-time childcare arranged. Senior scientists, junior professors, independent group leaders and women in permanent full-time positions are not eligible.