Support for female researchers in field research and laboratory disciplines during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences helps female early-career researchers to remain constantly involved in academia while they are pregnant and breastfeeding by funding additional measures designed to make life easier for them.

In particular, support with field and laboratory work allows them to continue their research if and when they face restrictions for medical reasons in order to ensure that work can be completed on schedule despite their pregnancy and motherhood.

Work can be covered by a (graduate) student assistant, research assistant or technical assistant depending on what it involves. Up to €30,000 in funding is available to female doctoral students, postdocs and W1 professors.

A researcher and the head of their working group can make a joint application at any time, simply by submitting a letter in German or English clearly outlining their reasons. There are no other formal requirements. All that matters is that the measures will bring tangible benefit to the applicant and that they and the head of their research group are in agreement on their specific needs. Applications are to be sent directly to the Dean.

There is no legal entitlement to any funding.

Laboratory-based support is available from when the person announces their pregnancy until the first six months of the child’s life.

The effectiveness of the measure must be confirmed in a brief report when the funding comes to an end and confirmed by the applicant and the head of their working group.

The Gender Equality Officer in our faculty will be happy to advise you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.