Scholarships for women in MINT (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering, also called STEM) are aimed at women studying these subjects. Offers vary. Some are awarded by individual universities, others by foundations or companies, and their conditions differ widely. This guide shows how to find suitable programmes, what to check and what a concrete example looks like.
Short answer: Women remain clearly in the minority in STEM subjects. In the winter semester 2024, their share was 23.2 percent in computer science and 27.1 percent in engineering excluding computer science (Destatis, cited by the Stifterverband). Targeted scholarships are mostly awarded by universities. Check the conditions in each call. Last updated: October 2026.
The Essentials at a Glance
- Women are in the minority in MINT subjects. In the winter semester 2024, their share was 23.2 percent in computer science and 27.1 percent in engineering excluding computer science.
- Targeted scholarships for women in MINT often come from individual universities. Foundations and companies less often have their own schemes.
- Conditions differ in start of study, degree programme, application format and amount. Compare them carefully.
- Many offers run through a time-limited call. Funding in one year gives no claim for the next.
- The example of the BTU shows a typical structure: 250 euros a month for nine months, with selection based on a motivation letter or a short video.
How Large Is the Share of Women in MINT?
The figures below show the share of women among students in each subject. They come from an analysis of Destatis data published by the Stifterverband (German).
| Subject area | Share of women, WS 2024 | Share of women, 2018 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science | 23.2 percent | 21.4 percent | Destatis, cited by the Stifterverband |
| Engineering excluding computer science | 27.1 percent | 24.5 percent | Destatis, cited by the Stifterverband |
Overall, according to the same analysis, about a quarter of all female students study a MINT subject, compared with about half of male students. These figures explain why scholarships target women specifically. They say nothing, however, about the quality of a single offer. You need to check the conditions yourself.
Where Do You Find Suitable Programmes?
A systematic search starts with the bodies that advertise scholarships themselves. Work through the following order so that you do not miss anything.
- University: check the website of your university under student finance or equal opportunities. Some universities run their own programmes for women in MINT.
- Student advice and student council: ask specifically about offers for your degree programme. Advisers often know schemes that are not prominently advertised.
- Scholarship databases: they help you narrow the search. Always check the details against the original call.
- Foundations and companies with a MINT focus: read the calls directly from the provider, not only in overviews.
An Example: The BTU MINT Scholarship for Women
For the winter semester 2025/26, the BTU advertised a MINT scholarship for women starting a bachelor’s degree. The university’s information shows how such a programme can be structured.
| Feature | Information on the BTU website |
|---|---|
| Target group | Women starting a bachelor’s degree in one of 18 eligible MINT subjects at the BTU, for example computer science, mechanical engineering, physics or mathematics |
| Funding | 250 euros a month for nine months, 2,250 euros in total |
| Deadline | 31 August 2025 (closed for that winter semester) |
| Selection | Motivation letter (max. two pages) or short video (max. three minutes), CV, university entrance qualification, optional letter of recommendation from a MINT subject |
The deadline has passed, but the example remains instructive. The page stresses that personal motivation for MINT subjects is decisive alongside school performance. Master applicants and women already studying at the BTU were excluded. Payment followed enrolment.
If you write a motivation letter, read it from the point of view of a selection committee. A clear purpose in the first sentences and two concrete examples usually work better than a list of stations. A short video is an alternative. Choose it only if you can produce it well technically and in content.
Foundations and companies also set up their own programmes, often tied to calls with fixed periods. For your planning, what matters more than the source of the money are the conditions and the deadline.
Which Conditions Should You Check?
Compare two or three offers side by side before you decide. The five points below cover the main differences.
- Target group: degree programme, bachelor or master, start of study and university.
- Amount and duration: monthly amount, number of months and whether one-off payments occur.
- Application format: cover letter, short video, letter of recommendation or grade overview.
- Deadline and call year: is the offer current, or is only an old page online?
- Offsetting: how the scholarship affects BAföG and other funding.
How Does This Fit With the Deutschlandstipendium and BAföG?
A MINT scholarship for women is often a supplement rather than a replacement for other funding. The Deutschlandstipendium is independent of income and tied to the university. BAföG, by contrast, depends on income. Check whether the two can be combined before you commit. The German guide Deutschlandstipendium gives an overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be enrolled at the university already?
That depends on the call. The BTU example required you to start a bachelor’s degree, and payment followed enrolment. Whether you can apply beforehand is stated in the call.
Are there scholarships for women in STEM at master level?
The BTU example applied only to bachelor’s degrees. Other programmes need to be checked individually. That one example is limited to bachelor’s degrees does not mean there are no offers for master’s students.
Does a MINT scholarship count as income for BAföG?
There is a separate guide on this. The answer depends on the funding and the BAföG office. See the German guide Stipendium und BAföG. Our English guide on whether a scholarship is taxable covers related questions.
Is it worth applying without top grades?
The BTU example shows that motivation counts alongside school performance. Whether your grades are sufficient is stated in the call itself. Read the selection criteria closely before you give up.
Can I combine several scholarships?
Check the rules of each provider. Some exclude other funding or set it off. Do not accept anything that rules out another award without asking the provider or your university first.
What to Do Next
- Search for programmes at your university and with foundations or companies that focus on MINT.
- Make a list with deadline, amount, application format and possible offsetting.
- Write a motivation letter that shows concretely why you want to study a MINT subject.
- Clarify before you apply whether the scholarship fits with BAföG or other funding.
Related Guides
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
- How to Apply for a Scholarship: Tips That Impress
- Studying Without BAföG: Your Funding Options
- Is a Scholarship Taxable? Tax and Social Insurance
Sources: Stifterverband: MINT students 2026 (Destatis data, winter semester 2024), in German; BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg: MINT scholarship for women, information for winter semester 2025/26, in German
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
