KIT Career ServiceStudentsScholarshipsLeadership Talent Academy
Briefly explained
What is the Leadership Talent Academy (LTA)?
Personal development and good leadership are the core topics of the Leadership Talent Academy (LTA) at KIT. Together with 24 other participants, you will spend six months working intensively on the basics of value-based leadership in exciting modules:
Explore your personal potential, deal with authenticity and integrity and train communication, decision-making and conflict management. You will be supported in your self-reflection by experienced coaches.
Alumni events round off the program - you are invited to get involved as an alumna or alumnus after completing the program, as the success of this support program thrives on mutual commitment.
The LTA is sponsored by the Karl Schlecht Foundation and starts every six months at the beginning of the semester.
Logo LTA

More than a management school – LTA changes perspectives

In this video, we show you why LTA goes far beyond classic management training. Former participants share their personal experiences, highlights, and the lasting impact the program had on them.
The LTA is a place of real learning – about leadership, about values, and above all about oneself. This is about more than just tools and techniques: It is about genuine "good leadership" that inspires, provides direction, and has an impact.
Learn about the specific benefits that participation will bring to your professional and personal development – and why taking the step to LTA is really worth it for you.
A heartfelt thank you to Johannes Schenk for providing us with this video.

  

To the individual alumni:alumnae statements

View the videos of LTA alumni:ae

Save the Date

Community-Gathering

Our annual community gathering is taking place on 27 November 2026. Participants from previous LTA cohorts will have the chance to catch up. The event is all about inspiring exchanges, mutual inspiration, and the joy of reuniting. Of course, selected speakers will also be present to share their insights.

Have you taken part in the LTA before? If so, join us and spend the evening with us. We look forward to seeing you!

Target group
Who can apply for the LTA?
  • Master's students in engineering or natural sciences
  • Doctoral candidates in engineering or the natural sciences
  • Just before entering the workforce
  • Interested in the concept of good leadership and personal development

The most important thing at a glance

Appointments of the winter semester 2026 (Batch #11)

Application period: 01.07. to 21.07.2026
Selection interviews: 13./14.08. & 17./18.08.2026



Appointments of the summer semester 2027 (Batch #12)

Application period: 25.01. to 14.02.207
Selection interviews: 25.02. to 02.03.2027
Info-event offline: 01.02.2027, 17:00 Uhr (library’s lecture theatre)
Info-event online: 02.02.2027, 12:00 Uhr (online via Zoom)



Application
Majors: MINT
Status: Master students, doctoral students
Process: 1) Online application, 2) Selection interview, 3) Acceptance or rejection

Advantages
Why should you apply?
  • Exclusive sponsorship program: Supplement your technical curriculum with personality development.
    Openness: Experience intense exchange and in-depth discussions with experts
    Secure Space: Take the opportunity to try yourself out in the protected environment of your LTA badge.
  • Individual Career Planning: Benefit from professional coaching and gain clarity about your career goals.
    Build a strong network: Connect with like-minded people and become part of an exclusive alumni network.

Voices
What surprised or inspired you most during your time at the Leadership Talent Academy?
“I was surprised that leadership, as understood at LTA, is much more than just a job title and reaches deep into one's own self. Leadership was viewed in a holistic way that I had never experienced before. The connection with meditation and mindfulness in particular was a new and enriching experience for me.“
scholarship holder

Coaches
These speakers and coaches are part of the LTA
About speakers and coaches

Contents

Module days in the winter semester 2026 (Batch #11) -
Each LTA batch comprises eight module days.

November 2, 2026, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
November 3, 2026, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: Triangel am Kronenplatz
Presenter: Simone Ramelsberger

Self-Leadership and Leadership
Reading leadership situations, responding appropriately, and staying grounded in my own strength are fundamental requirements for a good leader. In this two-day workshop, we will explore the topics of leadership and self-leadership. The focus will be on “leadership on equal footing,” which is fundamental to success in a rapidly changing (business) world. The first module concludes with the development of your personal leadership compass.

Day 1: Self-Leadership and Leadership: Unlocking Your Own Values, Strengths, and Impact
  • Self-Leadership and Performance
  • Individual Values and Strengths
  • Personal Leadership Compass

Day 2: Leadership on Equal Footing: Recognizing Roles, Situations, and Scope for Action
  • Reading Leadership Situations
  • Leadership Roles and Recommendations for Action
  • Methods for Leadership on Equal Footing
November 23, 2026, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: Triangel at Kronenplatz
Speakers: Johannes Härtl, Johannes Lober

Part 1: “Leadership in Motion” – Seeing and Being Seen (9 a.m.–1 p.m.)
The morning session takes us from the mind to the body. We’ll explore what it means to connect with ourselves and others through movement.

Topics:
  • Movement experiences and raising awareness
  • Experiences of connection
  • Circle of Life

Part 2: “Authentic Leadership” – Leading Yourself and Others Authentically (2:00–5:00 p.m.)

Authentic Leadership builds on the insight that people are particularly productive, creative, and positively motivated when they consider what they do to be consistent with who they are, meaningful, and fundamentally right. The “Authentic Leadership” module offers a thorough introduction to what it means to be authentic. Two core skills are central to this: self-reflection and self-awareness.

Contents:
  • The importance of authenticity in one’s own life, particularly in a leadership role
  • Self-reflection: Examining one’s own motives, values, and goals
  • Self-awareness: Reflecting on and managing emotions

Objectives:
  • Exploring the concept of authentic self-leadership
  • Developing self-awareness and self-reflection
November 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Triangel at Kronenplatz

Presenter: Victoria Berg

Topics:
  • 21st-century leadership styles—scientifically grounded with concrete real-world examples
  • Developing your own leadership DNA
  • Integrating your own leadership DNA into everyday (leadership) behavior

Objectives:
  • Understanding the diversity of leadership styles and their effectiveness in different contexts
  • Developing your own leadership DNA in alignment with your values, strengths, and goals
December 14, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Triangel at Kronenplatz

Presenter: Petra Wolko

Topics:
  • The importance of body language and speech in communication
  • Confident and engaging presence
  • Practical exercises on body awareness and posture, as well as breathing, voice, and speech
  • Conscious use of body language in various conversational situations
  • Resonant, clear, and articulate speech
  • Techniques for managing emotions: communicating flexibly and empathetically through body language and speech
  • Working through example scenarios from everyday leadership situations

Objectives:
  • Increased awareness of the impact and use of body language and speech
  • Techniques for a flexible and confident demeanor

Rituals for applying what has been practiced to everyday professional life
December 15, 2026, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Triangel at Kronenplatz

Instructor: Nina Maria Wagner

In this practice-oriented in-person training, participants explore their role as leaders in the context of communication and conflict resolution. They learn to shape communication processes more consciously, reflect on their own communication behavior, and apply different communication styles appropriately to each situation. In addition, they will develop an understanding of conflict dynamics and strengthen their ability to manage conflicts constructively and support those involved in developing sustainable solutions. Through practical exercises, reflection, and peer discussion (no prior leadership experience required), participants will expand their communication and conflict management skills and gain confidence in handling challenging conversations and leadership situations.
January 25, 2027, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Triangel at Kronenplatz

Presenter: Jörg Büechl

Topics:
  • Introduction to Intercultural Leadership: Definition and Significance of Intercultural Leadership
  • Culture and Cultural Differences: The Concept of Culture, Cultural Dimensions, and Intercultural Sensitivity
  • Intercultural Communication: Communication Styles and Patterns Across Cultures, as well as Challenges and Practices for Communication in International Teams
  • Leadership in Different Cultures: Cultural influences on leadership concepts and culturally adapted leadership strategies
  • Conflict Management in Intercultural Teams: Identifying and resolving conflicts in multicultural teams, and developing conflict resolution strategies
January 26, 2027, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: Triangel am Kronenplatz
Presenter: Klaus Leisinger

“Business Integrity” – Taking Ethical Responsibility in Business
As a leader, you have to make decisions every day—often decisions with far-reaching consequences, and ones that involve difficult dilemmas. The “Business Integrity” module prepares participants for conflict situations, equips them with the ability to communicate and act ethically, and thus fosters the development of ethical conflict resolution skills.

Content:
  • Multiple crises and dwindling trust in politics: What must the state do, what can the market do, and what should companies do?
  • Social responsibility as an open-ended concept: The role and significance of societal stakeholders
  • The interplay of corporate values, strategy, and corporate culture—discourse on values, value hierarchy, and principle-based pragmatism as a foundation
  • The benefits of the ethical responsibility toolkit in the tension between “legality” and “legitimacy”
  • The importance of leadership and corporate culture, illustrated by the case study on the diesel scandal
  • Examination of a business case for acting with integrity

Objectives:
  • Gaining familiarity with ethical theory and its applicability to ethical business conduct using a “toolkit”
  • Strengthening the ability to articulate and act ethically, and encouraging participants to take responsible, independent approaches to resolving ethical conflicts

Students engage in teamwork
Application process
Here’s how to apply for the LTA
The application period for the 2026 winter semester is between 01.07-21.07.2026.

Selection criteria

Requirements:
  • Master's degree or doctorate at KIT (engineering/natural sciences)
  • Just before transitioning into professional life
  • Interest in leadership responsibility, value-oriented personality and career development, and self-reflection
  • Willingness to participate in all workshop and seminar days and to further engage in the program
  • Very good German language skills (C1)


Application materials:
  • Motivation Letter (max. 1 page): Why are you interested in the Leadership Talent Academy? What does "Good leadership" mean to you? What do you want from the program?
  • Tabellarischer Lebenslauf
  • Certificate of enrollment or acceptance as a doctoral candidate: (for the relevant semester)
  • Certificates and transcript of grades: University graduation certificates and current transcript of grades (foreign certificates can only be considered with a German translation and grade classification)
  • Evidence of social or professional commitment: Information will only be considered with proof
  • Other certificates: as stated in the CV.
  • Language Proficiency Test for non-native speakers:


Submit application::
  • Only available online!
  • Login with KIT account data on the Career Service website (no extra registration required)
  • During application phases you can upload your application in our provided form.
  • Why? We want to get to know you as a person during the selection interviews. We are interested in who you are and what motivates you to participate in the LTA. This is not a technical interview.
  • When and where? The selection interviews last about 30 minutes per applicant and take place in Karlsruhe. We will inform you of an exact date after we have received a positive response to your application.
  • Important: The selection interviews can only take place during the specified time period and cannot be postponed. In exceptional cases, we can offer online appointments with a verifiable justification.
  • When? In the week after the selection interviews
  • How? Via email – please also check your spam folder
  • Important: Please understand that due to the large number of applications, we cannot provide detailed information on the reasons for any rejection. If you are unable to participate at this time, we would be happy to receive your application for the next round!

Information event

On Campus
29.06.2026, 5-6:00 pm
in the Lecture room at the library

Sign up now
Online
30.06.2026, 12-1 pm
Online via Zoom

Sign up now

FAQ - Do you have any questions?

The support programme comprises eight module days with workshops on personal development and seminars on the topic of good leadership, rounded off by a kick-off and a closing event. All participants also have the opportunity to attend three individual coaching sessions. After completing the programme, participants are invited to network at the LTA alumni events.
The programme starts every six months at the beginning of each semester.
Up to 25 applicants per round can take part in the programme.
If you are selected, you should be available on all workshop and seminar days. At the end of the programme, we would be delighted if you would get involved in the next round as an alumnus/alumna. The success of the support programme stands and falls with this commitment!

Target group

Committed master's and doctoral students of the KIT from the fields of engineering and natural sciences who are about to enter professional life can apply. German language skills of at least C1 level are a prerequisite for participation
No, unfortunately this is not possible. The programme is offered exclusively for KIT Master's students and doctoral candidates
Yes.
Yes.
Yes. The funding programme is open to Master's students and doctoral candidates of all nationalities. If you are a non-native speaker, we require proof of German language proficiency at level C1.
No.
As long as you can ensure that you can regularly attend all workshop and seminar days, there is nothing to stop you.
The standard period of study is not relevant for the application. Exceeding the standard period of study is therefore not an obstacle to participation in the programme. The only important thing is that you remain enrolled and can take part in all workshop and seminar days.
No, unfortunately this is not possible. A major focus of the programme consists of self-awareness elements and building a sustainable community together with the other participants. Therefore, continuous participation in all workshop and seminar days is required.
No, unfortunately this is not possible. A major focus of the programme consists of elements of self-awareness and building a sustainable community together with the other participants. Therefore, continuous participation in all workshop and seminar days is required.
If you can foresee that you will change universities during the semester in which the programme takes place, participation in the programme is unfortunately not possible.
Yes, participation in the Leadership Talent Academy programme is not dependent on receiving BAföG, funding from the Begabtenförderungswerke or another scholarship. However, please also clarify possible participation in the Leadership Talent Academy with the relevant BAföG office, talent promotion organisation or scholarship provider before you apply.

Application process

To participate in the Leadership Talent Academy, you must first submit your written application documents online. After reviewing your documents and providing positive feedback, we would like to get to know you in the second part of the selection process, which consists of interviews.
There is no fixed grade criterion or numerus clausus (NC) as is the case with university admissions, but in addition to your individual motivation, your academic achievements and any social engagement will also be taken into account in the selection process.
Please submit all application-related documents, such as internship, student assistant, or employment references, as well as current transcripts and (final) certificates, together within the application period.
Please submit all application-related documents, such as internship, student assistant, or employment references, as well as current transcripts and (final) certificates, together within the application period.
Yes. When applying online, please choose one of your two degree programs and specify it. Only the grade point average for this degree program will then count.
Your proof should show how intensively you have been involved and what kind of involvement it was.
Yes. Selection interviews usually take place in the week after positive feedback on the submitted application documents. Please make sure you keep these dates free, as there will be no alternative dates.
No. The program is designed for students and doctoral candidates in the natural sciences and engineering without a background in education.
Yes. A rejection does not mean that you have automatically been rejected for the future. You can reapply for each round.
Please apply using the digital application form. You will find the link for this on the Application page. As soon as we have received your application, you will receive an automated confirmation of receipt. Please also check your spam folder if necessary.
Within KIT, only authorized employees have and receive access to your personal data if they absolutely need to know about your application.
The privacy policy for the application process can be found on the online application form, which is activated during the application period. By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read the privacy policy. In addition, KIT's general privacy policy also applies when visiting the website.