KIT Career ServiceStudentsScholarshipsFEMTEC
Briefly explained
What is the FEMTEC Career-Building Programme?
Are you a STEM student who wants to actively shape the future and discover where your career path might lead you? Do you want to look beyond the lecture hall and gain your first insights into the corporate world?

Then the FEMTEC Career Building Program is just right for you.
The program accompanies you throughout your studies and supports you in your individual career planning. You’ll develop important professional and personal skills, learn about various career paths, and gain exclusive insights into leading companies.

At the same time, you’ll network with dedicated STEM students from all over Germany and gain new perspectives for your future—whether in business or academia.

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Company logo of femtec in orange

Advantages
Why should you apply?
Can you imagine being a pioneer in the workplace of tomorrow—a workplace that’s more diverse and sustainable? Do you want to grow personally and build valuable connections early on?

The FEMTEC Career-Building Program offers you exactly these opportunities. You’ll strengthen your communication, leadership, and management skills and prepare specifically for future roles. Through workshops and hands-on activities, you’ll continue to develop and gain insights into internationally active companies.

In the process, you’ll become part of a strong network of female students, alumnae, and partner companies. Close collaboration with companies leads to concrete entry opportunities—from internships and thesis projects to direct entry or trainee programs.
FEMTEC offers you the space to explore your options, discover new perspectives, and actively shape your career.

Target group
Who can apply for FEMTEC Career Building Programme?
  • You identify as female, non-binary, or as part of the FLINTA community
  • You are enrolled in a program in engineering or the natural sciences (STEM) at KIT
  • You are pursuing a master’s degree or are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree (at least in the 4th semester)
  • You must remain enrolled for the entire duration of the program, i.e., at least through the summer semester of 2027
  • Your German proficiency is very good (C1); your English proficiency is good (B2)
  • You have time to participate in the kick-off event, the workshop sessions (September 22–23), and the ongoing elective modules
  • You are committed and motivated, with an interest in practical experience and personal development

At a glance

Dates
Application period: June 15 – July 12, 2026
Kickoff: July 21, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., online
1st School: September 22–23 in Berlin
Follow-up: October 1, online
Digital & hybrid formats
Program language: German


Application
Fields of study: STEM
Eligibility: Bachelor’s students, Master’s students
Process:
1) Online application
2) Selection interview
3) Acceptance or rejection

How do the workshops look like?

The program runs for one year, during which you’ll participate in a kick-off event at your university as well as two workshop schools (2 days per school). The schools take place in person during the break between semesters—one at the end of September 2026 and one in September 2027. Each school offers exciting modules where you’ll acquire important hard and soft skills for the workplace. In addition to the sessions, there are elective modules and practical opportunities offered by corporate partners that you can attend online or in person.
— Kick-Off: Lerne dein Netzwerk kennen - 21.7.2026 10-12 Uhr, online.
— School 1: Empower Yourself – 22. & 23. September 2026, in Berlin, 2 Tage in Präsenz. Follow up online: 01.10.2026
— School 2: Shape Your Career – September 2027, Ort wird noch bekanntgegeben, 2 Tage in Präsenz.
— Practical Experience - zwischen den Schools, in Präsenz im Unternehmen oder online.
— Begleitende optionale Nuggets, online.

Bitte beachte: Als FEMTEC Stipendiat*in kannst du kostenlos an allen Schools und Exkursionen des Femtec Network teilnehmen und brauchst nur die Aufwendungen für Anreise und Unterkunft zu tragen.
Bei den Schools unterstützen wir dich bei den Reise- und und Übernachtungskosten.

Students engage in teamwork
Application process
How you can apply for FEMTEC Career Building Programme
Application phase is between 15.06. until 12.07.2026.

Process

Requirements:
  • You identify as female, non-binary, or as part of the FLINTA community
  • You are enrolled in a program in engineering or the natural sciences (STEM) at KIT
  • You are pursuing a master’s degree or are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree (at least in the 4th semester)
  • You must remain enrolled for the entire duration of the program, i.e., at least through the summer semester of 2027
  • Your German proficiency is very good (C1); your English proficiency is good (B2)
  • You have time to participate in the kick-off event, the workshop sessions (September 22–23), and the ongoing elective modules
  • You are committed and motivated, with an interest in practical experience and personal development
  • You are eager to network and view the program as an opportunity for professional growth


Application Materials:
  • Letter of Motivation (max. 1 page): Why are you interested in Femtec? What do you hope to gain from the program? What does female empowerment mean to you? Why would you be an asset to the program? Do you have—or have you had—any special individual circumstances?
  • Resume
  • Certificate of Enrollment
  • Transcript of Records
  • If applicable, employment references and proof of volunteer work and international experience


Submit Application:

Send all documents in one PDF file to franziska.schmaltz@kit.edu.
Followthe link to find the data protection information in German.
  • Why? We’d like to get to know you as a person during the selection interviews. We’re interested in who you are and what motivates you to participate in Femtec. This is not a technical interview.
  • When and where? The selection interviews last about 30 minutes per applicant and will take place in Karlsruhe during the week of July 13–17. We’ll let you know the exact date after we’ve reviewed your application materials and given you a positive response.
  • Important: The selection interviews can only take place during the specified time period and cannot be rescheduled. We may offer online interviews in exceptional cases with a verifiable reason.
  • When? The week after the selection interviews
  • How? By email—please also check your spam folder
  • Important: Please understand that, due to the large number of applications, we are unable to provide detailed information regarding the reasons for any rejection. If you’re unable to participate this time, we look forward to receiving your application for the next round!

Backgrounds

The FEMTEC Career-Building Program consists of strong partners from universities and companies throughout Germany. Under the umbrella of the Kompetenzzentrum Technik-Diversity-Chancengleichheit e.V., they jointly offer the Career-Building Program for female STEM students. Participants have the opportunity to join the CURIA network (formerly Femtec Alumnae) after graduation. Dedicated women in STEM, renowned technology companies, and leading scientific institutions and universities together form the Femtec Network!

Click here to visit the Competence Center
The program was implemented by FEMTEC GmbH from 2001 to 2026. Since 2026, it has been coordinated by the Kompetenzzentrum Technik-Diversity-Chancengleichheit e.V. The core aspects of the program remain unchanged: supporting female students in STEM fields, close, practice-oriented cooperation with leading companies and universities, and targeted preparation for diverse career paths in science, business, and society. In this way, Femtec actively contributes to promoting equal opportunity in STEM.

Click here to visit the Femtec website