Art reflects social developments and values. A sense of responsibility and a deep cultural understanding are crucial for future leaders in research and science. In 2004, the Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft launched the ‘Kulturkreis Stipendium’ with the aim of promoting these skills and getting Master's and doctoral students at KIT and the University of Mannheim interested in art and helping them to understand artistic processes.

The exchange with artists and cultural professionals promotes new approaches and creative solutions. These skills - inspiration, creativity and intuition - are also in demand in business and science today. Under the guidance of curator Konstantin Adamopoulos, enthusiasm for art and culture is awakened and participants are motivated to take responsibility and actively help shape social change. After the programme, the scholarship remains alive thanks to a strong alumni network.

The two-semester cultural curriculum of the Kulturkreis consists of around ten thematic blocks that take place from March to February of the following year. In each block, you and the other scholarship holders work together with an artist from a specific art form - such as painting, music, dance, architecture or theatre. You will experience the creative process up close and can try out the respective art form in practice. A special focus is placed on the interplay between art, business, science and society. The programme includes workshops, seminars and excursions to various locations in Germany, where you can and should get actively involved and help shape the programme.

Participation in all events is compulsory. You will also be invited to the Kulturkreis 2026 annual conference. The programme starts in March with a weekend at Bronnbach Monastery, where the new scholarship holders get to know each other. All costs, including accommodation and travel, are covered by the scholarship.

The Kulturkreis Scholarship was founded in 2004 and first awarded at the University of Mannheim. Since 2016, KIT has been a partner of the scholarship, which was transferred to the Career Service & Alumni department in 2022. Today, there are over 300 alumni and alumnae who regularly organise events and build up a strong network. They are committed to contemporary art and drive forward joint projects. The annual alumni meeting ‘Bronnbacher & Friends’ takes place every year in February. It has had its own website since 2019, and since 2020 the association ‘Alumni und Freunde des Bronnbacher Stipendiums e.V.’ has organised all activities.

Please submit the required documents in a PDF document on the website of the Kulturkreis :

• Motivation report (one DIN A4 page, in German)
• CV (in German)
• Certificate of higher education entrance qualification
• Current certificate of enrolment
• Transcript of Records and Bachelor's certificate (or corresponding intermediate examination)

If you have any questions, please send us an email: info∂careerservice.kit.edu.

Participation in all events is mandatory and a prerequisite for admission to the Kulturkreis Scholarship. Therefore, please check before your application whether you can make the date for the selection interview as well as the kick-off weekend at Bronnbach Monastery. As the curriculum is taught in German, a very good knowledge of German is required.

Programme duration 22nd year: March 2025 to February 2026

The scholarship holders are selected in a two-stage process:

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~The first stage involves a written application with a letter of motivation, CV and certificates (as described above).
~Among all applications received by the deadline of 19 January 2025, the Kulturkreis and the universities will nominate a shortlist of up to 16 candidates per university. These will be invited to a personal selection interview on 13 February at the University of Mannheim. Up to 18 scholarships will be awarded per year.
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The interview (3 to 4 applicants together) takes place in front of a committee at the University of Mannheim. The admission of the candidates is decided in a counselling session.
The selection committee consists of The curator, the management of the Kulturkreis, members of the Kulturkreis and alumni of the scholarship.

Students will be informed of the panel's decision after the selection committee has deliberated, usually within 72 hours of the interview.