Students sitting on a bench are looking to the left

Association of Friends and Supporters

The Association of Friends and Supporters of Hochschule Offenburg (VdF) is an association of companies, entrepreneurs, graduates, private donors, and university staff, and its mission is to assist Hochschule Offenburg and its students through advice, funding, and support. This is stated in its bylaws. Since its founding in 1964, the Association of Friends has provided support in areas where government funding is no longer available and shortages arise.

And the VdF is looking for you! As a friend and supporter of young talent—society’s greatest resource. For the benefit of the business community and the region. Become a member of the Association of Friends!

Goals

Support

Photo of a female student studying abroad

The Association of Friends supports dedicated students with grants for semesters abroad, projects, and final theses. The support is socially equitable and always provided on a case-by-case basis. In this way, the VdF promotes the education of young, talented people and contributes to Germany’s future.

Networking

The Friends Association sees itself as a bridge between attractive employers and the University. In this way, the VdF connects teaching and research with decision-makers in companies.

Sponsor

Award Presentation by the Friends Association to a Student

The Friends Association supports the University in a variety of ways—through investments, grants, and film awards, as well as through athletic activities and the departments’ forward-looking projects.

Examples of Support

Grant and Travel Expenses for Project Work: Field Study in India
Bachelor's Degree/Master's Theses on Film
Grants for semesters abroad or internships abroad
Purchase of a drum set for the university orchestra
Investment in a sound system for Lecture Hall B02
Construction of a beach volleyball court on the Offenburg campus
Start-up funding for an endowed professorship in Materials Engineering
and much more

Grants

The VdF’s funding programs focus on students at the University. The funds are intended to help recipients expand their knowledge and intercultural skills and successfully complete their studies.

Funding is generally designed to be complementary. The VdF specifically encourages students’ own initiatives and creativity. The VdF provides financial support for semesters abroad, internships in Germany and abroad, final theses (bachelor's degree/master's degree), participation in research trips, field trips, film productions, and much more.

Through its support for the Germany Scholarship, the VdF also promotes high-performing and talented young professionals for companies in the region and, beyond that, for Germany as a business location.

Grant applications may be submitted at any time. Applications for grants for semesters abroad and/or internships abroad should be submitted no later than the deadlines of January 31 for the following summer semester and June 30 for the following winter semester to ensure a timely decision-making process.

Please review our funding guidelines. Applications must be submitted using the PDF form. The following additional documents must be submitted with the application:

a brief description of the project and your motivation
Curriculum Vitae
a tabular cost and financing plan that demonstrates secure funding, including the requested amount
Grading scale
Letter of recommendation/endorsement from a professor

Please send the completed grant application and the other required documents to vdf.hs-offenburg.de

"Outstanding Social Commitment" Award

The VdF regularly awards the 1,000-euro grant for “Outstanding Social Commitment at Hochschule Offenburg” (PDF). Nominations may be submitted to the VdF at any time.

Members

Graduates, alumni, companies, organizations, private citizens, professors, and staff members of Hochschule Offenburg make our mission and charitable work possible through their generous donations and membership dues. They all share a commitment to strengthening education and science for the benefit of our region.

Executive Board