ABOUT THE ELITE SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP
The Elite Sports Scholarship supports athletes in balancing their studies and elite sports as part of their dual career. Due to the time and effort required for training and competitions, elite athletes find it particularly difficult to complete a degree. Yet, precisely because of their experience in sports, they are capable of achieving top performance in academic careers as well.
Whether it's artistic cycling, field hockey, inline speed skating, or soccer,
anyone
who is studying, would like to study, or is pursuing a doctorate at one of the program’s partner universities.
Our partner universities – the University of Mannheim, the the University of Heidelberg, the Mannheim Business School, the DHBW Heilbronn, the DHBW CAS, the Heilbronn University and the Technical University of Munich, Heilbronn Campus – offer a wide range of degree programs and allow for personalized combinations of academic majors and sports.
The Elite Sports Scholarship helps athletes coordinate their daily lives and makes it easier by providing direct points of contact (elite sports coordinators) who can mediate between athletes and professors when seminar or exam dates conflict with important training camps or competitions.
SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW
Service list
-
List element 1List element 1
Individual support and advice from personal contacts (dual career advisors)
-
List element 2
Financial support: up to €200 per month for at least two semesters
-
List element 3
List element 3Support from mentors, professors, lecturers and administrative staff at the universities
Service list
-
List element 1List element 1
Coordination of study and examination schedules
-
List element 2List element 2
Time adjustment of the standard period of study (if necessary)
-
List element 3List element 3
Funding of individual tutorials
-
List element 4List element 4
Support in finding internships and starting a career
The scholarship is initially granted for two semesters. If academic performance and athletic performance are in order, an application for an extension for another two semesters can be submitted.
INSIGHTS INTO THE SCHOLARSHIP
Welcome parties
Every year, we welcome our new scholarship recipients at a formal ceremony. The highlight of the event is the official presentation of certificates by the respective university administration. Invited guests include university supporters and staff, professors, and representatives from the region’s sports community. The program’s sponsors also take part in the celebration.
Our videos offer a glimpse into the events of past years:
What others say about us
Expansion of the Elite Sports Scholarship
On September 12, 2024, the Elite Sports Scholarship officially announced the expansion of the program to Heilbronn’s universities during a press conference. Thanks to the support of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation , competitive student athletes at the DHBW Heilbronn, DHBW CAS, Heilbronn University and TUM Campus Heilbronn Apply for a spot in the elite sports scholarship program
On May 4, 2018, thanks to the support of the Dietmar Hopp Foundation, the scholarship was awarded to University of Heidelberg . The press conference featured Dietmar Hopp and Klaus Greinert, as well as the then-rectors of the the universities of Mannheim and Heidelberg. Many thanks to Alugha for the video!
Introducing the Elite Sports Scholarship
What is the Elite Sports Scholarship all about?
Our promotional video offers insights into the concept behind the scholarship, the support we provide to our athletes, and the unique connection between elite sports and academic studies:
Our INFO brochures available for download
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP SINCE 2009
2009 the scholarship was established as
the Mannheim Sports Scholarship by its founder Klaus Greinert and the
University of Mannheim . Initially, 8 scholarship recipients were supported by the scholarship. To date, more than 400 athletes have been supported in their dual careers through the scholarship.
In 2018 In 2018, thanks to the Dietmar Hopp Foundation, be awarded to University of Heidelberg . Since then, students at the University of Heidelberg have also been able to apply for a elite sports scholarship.
Since 2020, this opportunity has also been available to students at the
Mannheim Business School (MBS).
2024 was made possible, thanks to the commitment of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, by the expansion of the elite sports scholarship to universities in Heilbronn . Student elite athletes at DHBW Heilbronn, DHBW CAS, Heilbronn University, and the TU Munich Heilbronn Campus can now also apply for a spot in the scholarship program.