This competition rewards university commitment to the integration of international STEM students into the German labor market and is part of the Alliance for STEM Professionals within the Future Mission Education.
The Stifterverband and the Fritz Henkel Foundation are looking for university projects and initiatives that open up paths for international STEM students into the German labor market or build bridges between students and employers. These could, for example, be measures that contribute to this:
– create concrete practical experience for international STEM students,
– better inform international STEM students about possible practical experience, reduce fear of contact, provide support during implementation and network,
– support international STEM graduates in their integration into the job market, for example by cooperating more closely with potential employers in the region and drawing attention to vacancies,
to improve the framework conditions for international STEM students, e.g. in the areas of language acquisition, social integration and support with immigration and VISA issues,
– offer financial support programs and scholarships or provide information about existing programs that promote a permanent stay for international STEM students and contribute to networking with practice partners and social integration through accompanying non-material support formats.
Up to five winning projects will be supported with prize money of 5,000 euros each. The funds will be used to further develop and implement the winning measures. The selection of the winners will be followed by a phase of (digital) collaboration to further develop the existing projects in a peer process and to learn from each other.
A video (maximum three minutes, smartphone is sufficient) and/or a presentation (maximum 8 slides) can be submitted as an application. A jury made up of representatives from scientific institutions, employers and students will decide on the award winners.
The closing date for applications is July 19, 2024. The full text of the call for entries and further information on the MINTchallenge International can be found here.