Record: 103 students at Fachhochschule Dortmund will receive a Germany Scholarship for the 2026/27 funding year, amounting to 300 euros per month. The FHDO Scholarship was also awarded for the first time.
Accompanied by the music of pianist Florian Zeidler, the scholarship recipients and donors gathered at the Westfälischer Industrieklub in Dortmund. They listened to remarks by Rector Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel and scholarship recipient Fatih Çengel. They got to know one another, made connections, and shared insights into their perspectives and ideas.
“The Joy of Others”
“True joy is the joy of others,” said Rector Tamara Appel in her opening remarks. She thanked the supporters for “far more than a financial contribution: You offer trust, open up opportunities, and show that the development of the scholarship recipients is important to you.”
She congratulated the students on their achievements and dedication, which made the scholarship possible: “This isn’t just about good grades, but also about initiative, creativity, and social engagement.”
The Germany Scholarship has once again proven itself to be “a compelling model of social responsibility. After all, we can only overcome the challenges of our time together—with diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences.”
"My path is being recognized"
“I’m the first student in my family,” said Fatih Çengel. “My parents taught me a lot, but I had to figure out many aspects of college life on my own.” As a dual-track computer science student, he experiences the practical focus of the Fachhochschule Dortmund time and again: “What I learn in a lecture helps me at work. And sometimes it’s the other way around: I’m sitting in a lecture and think, ‘I know this—we’ve already worked with this at the company.’”
Funding “also means recognition and trust. It’s a great feeling to realize: Someone wants to support me as I continue on my path.”
He’ll be studying in Athens this coming summer semester. The scholarship helps him cover the costs of travel, housing, and living expenses there. “It gives me more leeway to pursue an experience that can help me grow both professionally and personally. Because I find this opportunity so valuable, I’m also part of the Deutschlandstipendium ambassador group.”
The First FHDO Small Donation Scholarship
The new FHDO scholarship is now opening its circle of supporters to small donors for the first time. University staff, alumni, and emeritus faculty members jointly raised the funds for it; Chancellor Svenja Stepper serves as the mentor.
The first FHDO scholarship goes to Katharina Schulz, a student in the Theater and Digitality master’s program. “This is a special honor for me because I know that many different people have contributed both intellectually and financially to make this possible.”
On their way home, donors and scholarship recipients each took home a stylish FH wooden cube and a certificate from the Ministry of Research as souvenirs—along with new contacts and fresh insights.
The Deutschlandstipendium
For the Germany Scholarship, companies, foundations, and private individuals recruited by the Fachhochschule Dortmund provide half of the financial support. The other half is provided by the BMFTR (Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space).
Academic excellence is one of the criteria used to select scholarship recipients. However, an exceptional educational background or social engagement may also be viewed favorably. The funding period is two semesters (one year).
To make this grant available to even more students, the Fachhochschule Dortmund has now introduced the Donation Scholarship. It allows individuals to contribute smaller amounts toward a collective Germany Scholarship.
