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Frequently asked questions

Social Engagement

  • Implementing social commitment in a project: what does that mean?
    After accepting the scholarship, the scholarship holders or the foraus project team determine a socio-political topic area for the year on which we are working together. As a next step, all scholarship holders should participate in the physical expert workshop (4-5 hours) at the beginning of the scholarship. There are no limits to further participation after the launch event, but a minimum of 10 hours of individual further work on the project per person is expected. The projects can be implemented alone, as a team or in partnership with civil society organisations of your choice. Your proposed solutions to the social challenges of your group can take different forms: For example, information campaigns, music or art projects, public events or written analyses. Your social commitment is important to us as a foundation and we want to support students who see it that way.
  • What do I do if I am unable to attend the foraus expert workshop?
    Any absences must be justified and documented to the organizers. If you do not participate in the event, you will have less influence on the direction in which the proposed solutions to your year's question develop. It is then all the more expected that you will actively participate in the online discussion after the workshop and work on a proposed solution. Their corresponding commitment will be evaluated individually.

Application and award

  • Can I apply for a grant even though I am not a Swiss national?
    Yes. The grant is conditional on your pursuing a master's degree at a Swiss university of applied sciences.
  • Can I apply for a grant even though I already have a master's degree?
    Yes. This is often the case with arts degrees. Please enclose in this case a copy of your master's degree documents. You might also ask the professors of your master's degree programme for a recommendation.

  • I was admitted to the master's program "sur dossier" without a previous bachelor's degree. Can I still apply?
    Yes, this is possible, the decisive factor is admission to the master's program. Please then submit two letters of recommendation from your Master's program.

  • What is meant by “social engagement”?
    We are keen that grant holders demonstrate social responsibility during their studies. Socio-political activity is voluntary and takes place in the student’s spare time. We do not specify the form of the engagement, but we encourage active and regular participation in the areas of sport, politics, environmental protection and art in schools, student organisations at university, clubs and youth organisations, charities, social projects and so forth.

  • Can letters of recommendation be submitted by professors teaching on master’s degree programmes?
    Yes, if the bachelor’s degree programme lies a few years back or the master’s programme has already been started.

  • What should the letter of recommendation contain?
    It should make reference to the Hirschmann grant. It should describe the student’s achievements and his or her character from the point of view of the signatory – and thus substantiate the recommendation. The length of the letter is down to the writer.  

  • Can students attending schools/universities of teacher education also apply for a Hirschmann grant?
    The Hirschmann grant is available to students pursuing master's degrees at a Swiss university of applied sciences. The foundation is unable to consider applications from students pursuing other forms of tertiary education such as at research universities or universities of teacher education.

  • Are my results a determining factor in the Foundation's considerations?
    The Foundation considers all the criteria outlined.

  • Who decides on the awarding of grants?
    The Grants Committee of the Foundation Board makes its deliberations twice a year.

General

  • What size are the grants?
    The grants come in the form of one-off disbursements; they are usually CHF 5'000, very occasionally CHF 10'000.

  • Does the grant have to be paid back?
    Only if the conditions are not met and/or the studies discontinued.

  • Which degree programmes are eligible for grants?
    Any consecutive master that can be pursued at a Swiss university of applied sciences.

  • Which languages are accepted for an application?
    We accept applications for a grant in German, French, English and Italian.

  • In quale lingua posso inviare la mia applicazione?
    Accettiamo le applicazioni in tedesco, inglese, francese e italiano.