For more detailed information, please change to the German version of this website.

Application for EXIST Women @ UdK

To apply, you must submit the following documents:

Please note that application documents for the EXIST Women program must be submitted in German, as the official language of the program is German.

  • Application form

  • CV

  • Motivation letter

  • Application video

All submitted applications are checked by the Career & Transfer Service Center (CTC) team for completeness and eligibility. They are then prepared for evaluation by the jury.

The jury consists of UdK alumnae who have successfully founded companies. During a jury meeting, the applications and individual evaluations are discussed, and the candidates who will receive funding through the EXIST Women program are selected.

The jury also includes representatives from the Career & Transfer Service Center.

Application for EXIST Women 2026

  • Please note that application documents for the EXIST Women program must be submitted in German, as the official language of the program is German.

    1. Fill out the application form (in german)

    Please name the file according to the following format:
    LastName_ProjectName_ApplicationForm

    Application form (only in german)

     

    2. Write a motivation letter (in german)

    Outline what you would like to achieve during the eight months of the EXIST Women program (maximum 3000 characters including spaces; exceeding this limit will lead to disqualification).

    Consider the following questions:

    • Why do I want to apply for this program?

    • Why am I the right person for the program?

    • What specific support needs do I have?

    • Which specific components of the program could help me address the needs mentioned above?

    • Which of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are particularly important for me?

    Please name the file according to the following format:
    LastName_ProjectName_Motivation

     

    3. Record a video on your mobile phone (in german)

    The video must meet the following criteria:

    • Video recorded on your mobile phone with the following file name: LastName_ProjectName_Video (no umlauts)

    • Answer the question: Why am I the right person for the EXIST Women program with my idea?

    • Maximum 2 minutes; exceeding the time limit will lead to disqualification

    • Landscape format, MOV or MP4, max. 20 MB (please reduce the file size if necessary)

    Please name the file according to the following format:
    LastName_FirstName_Video

     

    4. Create a CV (in german)

    Please name the file according to the following format:
    LastName_ProjectName_CV

     

     5. Send us your files

    Please send your complete application with the subject line “Application EXIST-Women” to the following email address:

    existwomen_ @udk-berlin.de

     

    Please make sure that your application is sent as a PDF and does not exceed 5 MB.
    The application deadline is March 20, 2026.

    Note: Participation in the kick-off event on May 6, 2026, from 10:00 to 14:00 is mandatory.

  • Questions about the Application?

    In-person information session on EXIST Women consultation:

    March 10, 2026, 10:30 – 11:30 AM at UdK campus Einsteinufer, Room 321, Registration under: https://ctc-workshops.udk-berlin.de/de/events/019cb81b-e76b-72b0-8907-cf1716cdc13a

     

    Online information session on EXIST Women consultation: 

    March 12, 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 AM, Registration under: https://ctc-workshops.udk-berlin.de/de/events/019cb825-b29b-7aa0-ab2e-c7fed42aba62

     

    Timeline

    • March 20, 2026 – Application deadline

    • April 14, 2026 – Jury meeting, including notifications of funding decisions

    • May 6, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Kick-off event for selected EXIST Women and their mentors

    • Funding period: May 2026 – December 2026