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The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds

Name of scholarship and country of study:
The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds, Germany.
Eligible countries for the scholarship (is Syria included?):
All Arab nationalities, including Syria.
Eligible fields of study:
Fields in basic biomedical research, exclusively for Ph.D. studies (Promotions).
What does the scholarship cover?
The amount of the monthly stipend depends on the project’s location.
The total amount also includes a fixed monthly allowance to cover the project’s incidental costs, for example, 1,300 Euros in Germany, 1,600 Euros in the United Kingdom, and 1,900 Euros in the United States.

Information about the scholarship

Scholarship duration
Initially for a period of 10 to 12 months and can be extended once for a maximum of 6 months.
Housing benefit included or not?
 No, not included.
Extension conditional or not (with criteria)? 
Unconditionally.
Is the grant sufficient to obtain a visa or not (does it replace the bank guarantee or not)? 
Yes, that’s enough.
Health insurance included or not? 
Yes, inclusive.
Whether there is a person (or committee) who welcomes incoming students and introduces them to the city and the university: 
Nothing.

Information about the scholarship

Other scholarship benefits, if any:

  • Depending on your personal situation, you may be entitled to additional monthly benefits, such as a childcare allowance of up to 500 euros and/or a spouse's allowance of 200 euros.
  • You will receive travel allowances for scientific conferences and for participation in seminars specifically designed for BIF scholarship holders and alumni.
  • As a BIF Fellow, you'll also become part of an active, global network built on trust, support, and numerous personal encounters. No matter what challenges lie ahead, you'll find a listening ear and personalized guidance from like-minded colleagues and BIF staff.

Is it possible to accumulate scholarships (receive another scholarship at the same time)?
No way.
Are the travel costs from the accommodation to Germany included or not?
Yes, inclusive.
Are the fees for visiting the home country included or not?
No, not included.

Required documents

Scientific education

  • University entrance qualification or Abitur.
  • University studies (universities, dates, subjects).
  • If applicable: internships, laboratory stays, holiday courses, clinical training, etc. (locations, dates, topics, methods, supervisors).
  • Intermediate and final examinations (universities, dates and grades).
  • If applicable: doctoral thesis (title, supervisor, host institution, summary).

Medals and awards

  • Scholarship (funding organizations, dates).
  • Awards (names, dates).

Required documents

Non-scientific activities

  • Military or civilian service (data).
  • Paternity leave (dates).
  • Vocational training (dates, description).
  • Employment (data, description).

Search for destination

  • Future host institution (university, institute, laboratory, postal address).
  • Academic supervisor at the host institution.
  • Academic supervisor at your university in Germany (name and address).
  • Expected start and end dates of your research stay.
  • Proposed start date for the MD fellowship.
  • Duration required to obtain an MD fellowship (in months).

Required documents

research project

Title of your research project.
Summary of your research project (approx. 0.5–1 page).
Detailed presentation of your project:

  • Introduction, current state of research and problem definition (2-3 pages).
  • If applicable: Your main work (if you have already generated experimental data for your research project).
  • Objectives, approach, and research methods (approximately 4 pages). Please be detailed and specific enough to allow external reviewers, i.e., experienced scientists, to evaluate your proposal.
  • The work plan for the entire project (at least 10 months) shows the duration of all essential pilot steps.
  • Index.

Required documents

the reviewer

Please list up to 5 publications (excluding review articles and submitted or in-progress manuscripts) that have appeared in international peer-reviewed journals within the last 5 years:
  • Your academic supervisor at the host institution.
  • Your academic supervisor in Germany.
  • Please provide the authors, year of publication, title of the article, journal name, volume, and page numbers.

financial circumstances

  • Applications to other financing institutions.
  • Current financial support from other organizations.

Required documents

Additional documents

  • A letter of motivation outlining your reasons for choosing the pilot research project and host laboratory and your future plans.
  • Certificates of completion of the first part of the medical examination or equivalence examination in the model study program and of the academic achievements (photocopies are sufficient).
  • High school diploma (photocopy).
  • From your academic supervisor at your host institution: A letter of recommendation stating your acceptance to the host institution and the dates of your stay (please indicate if this should be submitted separately).
  • From your supervisor at your home university: Letter of recommendation (please indicate if it will be submitted separately).
  • From the Admissions Office or Dean of Studies at your faculty: An official certificate stating that you will interrupt your studies and clinical work for the duration of the scholarship.
  • Signed data consent form.
  • Please ensure that the documents required under points 2 to 6 are on official letterhead and signed.

Required conditions

You are eligible if you:

  • She is studying human medicine in Germany.
  • You have received good or very good grades in the first part of the medical examination or equivalence examination and in the further course of your studies.
  • You are willing to interrupt your studies and change your place of work (institution and city) for the duration of the MD scholarship, i.e. for at least ten consecutive months.
  • Applications for the MD Fellowship must be submitted in English and written by the applicants themselves.

Information about the scholarship

Required language test

  • No condition

Do I need to apply for degree programs or receive university admission before applying for the scholarship?

  • Yes, enrollment (or at least admission) at a state or accredited university in Germany.

How many students will be accepted under the scholarship?

  • This scholarship is highly sought after, with less than 10% of applicants receiving the scholarship.

Information about the scholarship

How long is the application period for the scholarship and how often per year is it open?

  • The application must be received by the BIF at least three months before the planned relocation and start of the host laboratory.
  • Within eight years of obtaining the higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur).
  • Your research stay must be completed before the third part of the medical examination.
  • The entire selection process can take about three to four months.

Is the funding amount sufficient to cover living expenses?

  • Yes, that's enough.

How do I apply for the scholarship?