LAPP supports female PhD student in the STEM field at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences with full scholarship

The idea of supporting women in the STEM field and passing on the values of the family business was inspired by the life story of the company’s founder, Ursula Ida Lapp. Matthias Lapp, CEO Lapp Group and grandson of the late entrepreneur: “My grandmother founded the company with my grandfather at the age of 30, successfully managed it for 60 years and mastered the balancing act between children and career. On her 90th birthday, I promised her that LAPP would support smart and innovative women with a scholarship. This promise has now become reality.”

Ursula Ida Lapp PhD scholarship

The scholarship is explicitly aimed at women up to the age of 40 from Germany and abroad who want to pursue a PhD in the STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at Heilbronn University. The university pays particular attention to women with special challenges such as a refugee or migration background, raising children or caring for relatives when awarding the scholarship. In addition, applications are encouraged to include PhD topics related to sustainability and social engagement. A selection committee made up of experts from various fields at Heilbronn University and two representatives from LAPP will make the funding decision in a three-stage selection process. Professor Ruth Fleuchaus, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Diversity at Heilbronn University, says: “We are very pleased to be able to establish an extension of our PhD funding for women at HHN through our cooperation with LAPP. Supporting women in their careers in academia is a part of our university’s DNA. With LAPP, we have a partner at our side that shares these values with us.”

Scholarship holder will receive at least 80,000 euros in funding

The scholarship will generally run for three years and will provide 1,800 euros per month for living expenses. In addition, further funding opportunities are possible, such as a monthly child allowance, annual travel allowances for specialist conferences and participation in publication and printing costs. The funding for the three years thus amounts to between €80,000 and €100,000. In addition, LAPP also provides the scholarship holder with non-material support in terms of career and further training – for example, in the form of mentoring, participation in workshops or exchanges with experts at LAPP.