Howard and Gabriele Kroch Scholarship

Who can apply?

Young researchers (including Bachelor's and Master's students, doctoral candidates and other early career researchers) who are employed at the BNITM or associated with the BNITM.

Postdocs are eligible to apply if, at the time of application, no more than three years have passed since they completed their doctoral degree and they have not yet been the principal investigator (PI) of their own grant. Justified exceptions, such as family obligations, maternity leave, parental leave, illness, etc. during the three-year period following the completion of the doctoral degree, will of course be taken into account. In addition, if the applicant is caring for one or more children under the age of 18, this period is extended by two years per child.

What is supported?

Funding is available for small scientific projects (with a duration of up to 12 months) that may be associated with a stay at a partner institution abroad with which BNITM maintains an active collaboration. Eligible projects must focus on a tropical disease and/or have potential for significant medical benefit for vulnerable population groups in resource-poor regions.

The research project must be agreed between the applicants and the respective department or group management. The funding should cover living expenses on site as well as travelling expenses. 

The funding amount totals 7,500 euros, which is paid to the scholarship holder in monthly instalments via the BNITM in consultation with the respective department or research group head. Funding may only be requested to cover living expenses and travel costs. It is also possible to apply for smaller amounts.

Application procedure

Application documents must be sent in a PDF file by e-mail to kroch-stipendium@bnitm.de by 29.06.2026. The documents must include:

• a CV 

• a project description (max. 2 pages)

• a letter of support from the current supervisor for the planned project

• a short summary of the project (approx. 100-200 words, in simple and clear language)

Proposals will be evaluated based on their overall scientific merit, methodological soundness, feasibility, and potential to support the professional development of early-career researchers.

The selection takes place in two stages and, after the first selection, includes an invitation to a presentation to the foundation after which the final decision on funding is made. The decision to award the scholarship is made by the Howard and Gabriele Kroch Foundation in consultation with the BNITM.

FAQ 

Is it possible to apply for funding even if a stay abroad has already begun?

Answer: Applications can be submitted even if the stay abroad has already started. However, the scholarship is intended to support projects that would not otherwise be feasible. Applicants who have already begun their stay may be considered less competitive, as this suggests the project can be carried out without funding. Priority will generally be given to projects that depend on the scholarship to take place.

What are the deadlines for submitting an application?

Answer: The call for applications is issued annually, typically in spring/summer. Specific deadlines and a list of required documents will be announced at that time.

Who should provide the Letter of Support?

Answer: The Letter of Support should be provided by the person who directly supervises the applicant’s scientific work, such as the research group leader.

Can the scholarship cover travel costs for project collaborators?

Answer: Yes, travel costs for collaborators can be covered as part of the overall project budget, provided the individuals in question are directly and actively involved in the project.

What types of projects are eligible for the scholarship?

Answer: The scholarship is open to a wide range of research projects in the field of tropical medicine and related disciplines, including interdisciplinary projects, provided they require a qualifying research stay abroad and meet the general eligibility criteria. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their project aligns with the scholarship’s objectives in their application.

What is the recommended duration for the research stay?

Answer: The scholarship is intended to support research stays of up to 12 months. The duration should be appropriate to the scope of the project and may be subject to the availability of scholarship funds.

Does the scholarship cover the applicant’s salary?

Answer: No. The scholarship covers living expenses at the host location and travel costs. It cannot be used to replace an existing salary.

What constitutes a “partner institution” for the purposes of this scholarship?

Answer: A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) is not required. However, the BNITM or one of its established partner institutions must be substantially involved in the proposed project. Applicants should clearly describe the nature of the collaboration in their application.

What is the maximum project duration supported by the scholarship?

Answer: The scholarship supports research stays of up to 12 months. The duration should reflect the requirements of the project and is ultimately subject to the availability of funds.

Is a Letter of Support from the partner institution required?

Answer: A Letter of Support from the BNITM research group involved in the project is mandatory. A letter from the collaboration partner or host institution is welcomed and may strengthen the application, but is not a formal requirement.

Is it possible to apply for less than €7,500?

Answer: Yes, that is possible.
 

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the application for Howard and Gabriele Kroch Scholarship, please do not hesitate to contact us: kroch-stipendium@bnitm.de.