Benedikt und Helene Schmittmann-Wahlen-Stiftung

The non-profit Benedikt and Helene Schmittmann-Wahlen Foundation was established in 1969 based on the will of Prof. Dr. Benedikt Schmittmann. It manages the net income from his estate and primarily supports students and doctoral candidates at the University of Cologne and other universities. The main areas of funding are: first, doctoral support through the annually awarded Schmittmann-Wahlen Scholarship; second, support for study-related stays abroad in Europe; and third, assistance for the Schmittmann College. In addition, students in financial hardship are also considered. Through these activities, the foundation pursues the legacy of its founders to promote social engagement and international understanding.

The Benedikt and Helene Schmittmann-Wahlen Foundation is committed to supporting socially engaged and scientifically excellent talents. It places great importance on the personal development and societal relevance of the projects it funds. The foundation sees itself not only as an institution for the promotion of science but, in particular, as a supporter of the personality and networking of its scholarship holders, with the long-term goal of creating a vibrant community dedicated to solidarity, subsidiarity, and international understanding.

The primary beneficiaries are students and doctoral candidates, especially from the University of Cologne, but also from other German universities. Applicants should demonstrate not only excellent academic achievements but also a strong commitment to social engagement. For doctoral funding, particular emphasis is placed on dissertation topics that have societal relevance. For international funding, only study projects in European countries within the framework of a German university program are considered. Applications from the Rhineland region are preferred to facilitate active participation in regular scholarship recipient meetings.