Only applicants who were under 28 years of age when awarded the degree qualifying them for a doctorate are eligible.
Final grade for the degree (Master's, for state examinations: Sec. II) must be 1.5 or higher. For degrees gained abroad a separate evaluation will take place to assess the applicant's suitability. The final grade for state examinations in law is also evaluated separately.
The foundation does not award PhD completion grants: follow-up funding of sponsorships by a third party with a grant period of over 1 year or grants covering a period of less than one year will be considered completion grants.