FAQ

General questions

 What do I do if I’m not sure whether my subject is eligible for funding from the Foundation?
Please send us a short project summary by email We will be in touch within a few days to let you know whether you can apply.

What is the phone number for Henkel AG & Co. KgaA in Düsseldorf?
+49 (0)211 7970




Applications

 If my confirmation of receipt includes a request for missing documents, will I be sent another confirmation once these missing documents have been submitted?
No, you are responsible for making sure that all the necessary documents and references are properly submitted. Due to the number of applications we receive, we regret that we are not in a position to send further confirmations after the initial confirmation of receipt.

Should documents be submitted in English or German?
The Foundation accepts both, although German is preferred where possible.

Can anyone request funding for printing?
Publishing aid can only be claimed for projects which are already receiving funding from the Gerda Henkel Foundation. However, not all projects will be awarded funding for printing as the current budget for publishing aid is extremely limited.

How much are the grants?
Details of the grants can be found under “Grants” > “Payment”.

How should I submit my documents?
Please send documents by post. Applicants for the Special Programmes Eastern Europe and Central Asia are asked to send copies by email as post is often delayed.

In what order should the documents be submitted?
The order for documents can be found on each programme’s page on our website.

In which languages does the Foundation correspond?
German and English.

What happens to my submission if it is incomplete?
Incomplete submissions will not be considered and will be put back to the next selection round.

When is the next deadline for submissions?
The deadlines can be found under “Proposals” > “Application deadlines”. Please note that not all programmes have deadlines.

What should my working plan and schedule include?
They should include as many details as possible of the work stages planned for the period of funding, including research trips and their planned duration.

What do you require for travel and material expenses claims?
We require a list of costs with each individual expense in as much detail as possible.

Can I apply to receive a civil servant salary instead of a research grant?
The Foundation’s committees have decided not to award civil servants salaries (“Bundesangestelltentarifvertrag” or “Tarifvertrag öffentlicher Dienst”) except in special circumstances as they involve considerable expense. Tax-free research grants are the preferred means of support, fixed according to the age and qualifications of those applying or involved with the project. Details of the grants can be found under “Grants” > “Payment”.

Can I reapply if my application has already been refused?
Yes, a second application is possible. However, all the documents must be submitted again.

Does the Foundation provide reasons for refusing applications?
The Academic Committee’s deliberations are confidential so the Foundation does not provide detailed reasons for refusals.



Grants in general

 What should I do once I have received the letter of approval?
Please let us know in writing whether you accept the grant and the terms of appropriation. If you do accept, please also supply your current bank details and include when you wish payments to start.

Can grants be transferred to overseas accounts?
Yes. Please supply your SWIFT/BIC code and IBAN. We would however prefer to make transfers to a German account.

What are my obligations if I accept the funding?
You must inform the Foundation of any changes which have a bearing on the payment of the grant or the amount paid. Teaching positions and other employment must be agreed with the Foundation if they exceed an average of 5 hours a week.

How should references be made to the Foundation in my work?
We ask that the Foundation be mentioned in any publications that arise from the funded project. The Foundation should also be included in the imprint of any publications for which publishing aid was supplied. For other media, such as conference posters or flyers, please use the logo available in the “Service” section of our website. Please also mention the Foundation at events and in any contact with journalists (e.g. via your university’s press office), including in any press releases.

Can the grant or parts thereof be used for other purposes?
No. The grant is only to be used for the purposes detailed in the letter of approval.

Do I have to take out insurance if I am awarded a grant or does the Foundation cover those costs?
As grant recipients are not technically employed by the Foundation, national insurance contributions are not paid. The Foundation recommends that all grant recipients take out medical insurance. No additional funding is available for these costs.



References

 What should be included in letters of recommendation or references and what form should they take?
The Foundation has no specific requirements as far as references are concerned. Referees generally provide an assessment of the quality of the project and the applicant’s qualifications.

Does the Foundation accept references by email?
References can be sent by email in advance but an original signed copy must be supplied for the Foundation’s consideration.

Do referees have to be professors or attached to a university?
No, it is up to the applicant to choose referees.

Do you accept references from abroad?
Yes.

Do you accept references from other subject areas?
Yes.



Doctorates

What does the Foundation mean by its age limit of 28?
The age limit refers to obtaining a degree. If you were under 28 when you obtained your degree, you could apply for doctoral funding at the age of 35, for example. Exceptions will be made to take the following situations into account: night school, bringing up children, military service, work experience and other exceptional circumstances. If there are no extenuating circumstances, applications from those aged 28 or over cannot be accepted.

Can doctoral students from overseas apply for a doctoral grant?
Yes.

Can students write their doctorate overseas?
Yes.

Can all applications for doctoral funding include an application for travel or material expenses?
Yes, as long as the foreseen expenses are directly linked to the doctorate.

Are there any interviews? Can I present my subject to the Foundation in person?
No, decisions are based solely on the application submitted.

Can I submit an application for doctoral funding if I have not yet been formally registered by the university or not yet had my place confirmed?
Yes.

Can I ask when the Foundation’s quarterly committee meetings are held?
No, the Foundation does not provide any information about when the committees meet to assess applications. Once all necessary documents have been submitted (incl. reference), you should expect to wait a maximum of six months for our decision.

Can I apply for funding if I have already started my doctorate?
Yes, the Foundation also awards grants to help students complete their doctorate.

Which documents do I have to submit for funding if I have already started my doctorate?
Please submit the same documents as for a standard doctorate grant.

If I am given a doctoral grant, do I have to start my doctorate immediately?
Doctorates must be started within twelve months of the grant being agreed.

Can I work during the grant period?
Yes, as long as the employment does not exceed an average of five hours a week.

Can I apply for a doctorate grant if I have finished my undergraduate degree but not officially graduated?
No, to make sure all applicants are treated equally, we do require a written confirmation of your degree results.

Can I apply with a 2.0 grade or does the grade have to be better than 2.0?
The Foundation will only consider applicants with a grade which is better than 2.0
We will check any applications with degrees obtained outside Germany before deciding whether to put them through into the next stage.





Invoices

 How do I write an invoice?
Invoices for travel and material costs must take the form of a detailed list of expenses with brief explanations and numbered receipts attached.

Do original receipts have to be sent?
Generally yes. Should third parties need the originals for billing purposes (e.g. university offices), please submit copies and ensure that the originals are held for at least ten years in case they need to be checked.

Will my family’s costs be reimbursed for research trips?
No. These must be covered by the grant recipient.



Gerda Henkel Prize

 Do nominees have to have published a postdoctoral dissertation (habilitation)?
No. Nominees do not have to have doctorates either.

Does current or past funding received by the nominee from the Gerda Henkel Foundation have any influence on their consideration for the prize?
No. Grant recipients and project partners are subject to the same conditions.



General questions
Applications
Grants in general
References
Doctorates
Invoices
Gerda Henkel Prize
 
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