Graduate or Postdoctoral Fellowships of the Klipstein Foundation

Applications for a grant from the Dr.-Ernst-Leopold-Klipstein-Foundation must include the following documents; the Board requests that the application be organized in a systematic and clear manner:

• A completed application form, including files/scans of relevant documents, such as certificates
• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
• Description of the research project/project outline (maximum 3 pages): The project description must also include a statement on the current state of research in the proposed area, as well as a risk analysis in case individual work steps do not lead to the expected outcome. The planned project should contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the above-mentioned disciplines and provide a benefit or input to research at JLU. Bibliographic references may be attached to the document as an appendix.
• Work and Time Plan for the Project (maximum 1 page)
• Previous publication record (if applicable)
• A statement from the supervising professor (maximum 2 pages); this must include at least the following:
  An assessment of the applicant’s academic profile (including: Does the applicant demonstrate an exceptional aptitude for academic work?) and a statement on the benefit/contribution to the host institute/facility (Does the doctoral project/research project make an important and outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the above-mentioned disciplines?) as well as a statement on the required resources/space (in the case of field trials).

The funded research should specifically focus on the following:  

• Improving plants through modern breeding techniques, such as genome editing
• Developing new plant protection methods using environmentally friendly plant protection agents, such as “biologicals”
• Use of new non-chemical, non-synthetic active substances, such as non-coding RNA or microbial compositions for controlling plant diseases
• Introduction of biotechnological methods to reduce phosphate and nitrate fertilisation, as well as 
• Improvement of crop yields in tropical and subtropical regions through substantial sustainable production strategies.

Type of funding: Award of a graduate fellowship or a postdoctoral fellowship

• Start of funding: Not applicable at this time (the last fellowship was awarded in 2025/term beginning August 1, 2025; next call for applications expected no earlier than 2028, subject to the Board’s decision at the appropriate time)
• Duration of funding: three years
• Monthly funding amount for graduate fellowship: €1,550 (€1,400 basic amount plus €150 for material and travel expenses)
• Monthly funding amount for postdoctoral fellowship: €2,500; any material costs incurred must be covered from the monthly grant amount; separate subsidies are not available for this purpose.
• Any additional allowances for children are granted separately for both types of fellowships. For children up to the age of 18, a child allowance is paid in the form of a fixed monthly sum. For the first child, a monthly amount of €400 is paid; this amount increases by €100 for each additional child.

Requirements for a graduate fellowship 

• Completion of a university degree that qualifies the applicant for admission to a doctoral program
• Acceptance as a doctoral candidate at JLU Giessen, respectively fulfillment of the doctoral admission requirements at JLU Gießen
• Above-average academic and examination performance
• Exceptional aptitude for scientific research
• Compliance with the Statutes of Justus-Liebig-University Gießen on ensuring good scientific practice in all work 
• The doctoral project should contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the above-mentioned disciplines and provide a benefit/input to research at JLU.
• At public appearances (e.g., at conferences) and in publications, the support provided by the Dr.-Ernst-Lepold-Klipstein-Foundation and thus the connection to JLU Giessen must be clearly indicated.
• Engaging in additional professional activities—in addition to the fellowship—that would interfere with the doctoral project is prohibited; This includes paid work outside of academia that takes up more than 16 hours per month. However, professional activities that are beneficial to the doctoral project are permitted, such as working as a student assistant for no more than 42 hours per month. Income from the latter activities is not counted against the scholarship amount.

Requirements for a postdoctoral fellowship

• Completion and Certification of a Doctorate
• Above-average academic and examination performance, demonstrated, for example, by outstanding publications
• Exceptional aptitude for scientific research
• Compliance with the Statutes of Justus-Liebig-University Gießen on ensuring good scientific practice in all work 
• The planned project should contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the above-mentioned disciplines and provide a benefit/input to research at JLU. The project leadership is to be based at JLU Giessen. The research work is generally to be conducted at JLU; exceptions are possible in justified cases (e.g., field trials requiring different climatic conditions).
• At public appearances (e.g., at conferences) and in publications, the support provided by the Dr.-Ernst-Lepold-Klipstein-Foundation and thus the connection to JLU Giessen must be clearly indicated.
• Engaging in additional professional activities—in addition to the fellowship—that would interfere with the scientific project is prohibited; This includes paid work outside of academia that takes up more than 16 hours per month. However, professional activities that are beneficial to the research project are permitted, such as teaching assignments or other scientific activities for no more than 42 hours per month. Income from the latter activities is not counted against the scholarship amount.

General information

• The Foundation Board decides on the allocation of the Foundation’s income. The Foundation Board also decides on exceptions to the stated funding opportunities and/or any extensions of funding (which are only possible in justified exceptional cases). 
• If a grant is awarded, the grantee is required to submit a written report on the progress of the work to the Foundation Board within the timeframe specified in the grant notification; a summary in both German and English must be attached
• General information regarding the grants (number of scholarships awarded, topics of funded projects, etc.) will be published on the Foundation’s website; with the consent of the grantees, details about the recipients may also be included. A corresponding declaration is made via the application form. 
• There is no legal entitlement to receive a grant from the Foundation’s funds; expenses incurred through the application process cannot be reimbursed.