Logo of the University of Mannheim
Search
Accessibility
Intranet
Search
Barrierefreiheit
DE  EN
Drei Frauen sitzen in einem Seminarraum und führen ein Gespräch.
Credit: Anna Logue

Program for Female Doctoral Students

acadeMIA – Your academic career

The University of Mannheim invites women and other FLINTA* individuals to apply for the one-year acadeMIA program. The program is open to doctoral candidates from all disciplines at the university. Supported by the Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity as part of the Professorinnenprogramm 2030, the program fosters the academic and personal development skills essential for a successful doctorate. It prepares participants for the next stages of their academic careers. Through well-structured, interactive workshops, acadeMIA aims to strengthen academic profiles, enhance key competencies, expand professional networks, and support strategic career planning towards professorships and other leadership roles in academia.

*FLINTA stands for women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender individuals.

  • Program structure

    • Duration: May 2026 – May 2027

    • Format: Monthly full-day, in-person workshops (hybrid arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis)

    • Modules: Structured into four phases, the program covers a broad spectrum of topics, including well-being and conflict management, career development, academic publishing, and acquiring external funding.

    • Language: English

  • Overview of dates and topics

    The first session will take place on May 6, 2026. Subsequent dates will be communicated to participants in a timely manner.

  • Eligibility

    Applicants must:

    • Preferably be in the early stages of their doctoral studies

    • Demonstrate motivation for personal, professional, and academic development

    • Commit to attending all program modules and actively engaging in networking activities, including tandem partnerships designed to foster exchange and peer support

    We particularly encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including those with caregiving responsibilities, disabilities, and first-generation academics.

  • Required application documents

    • Completed application form (download here (DOCX, 124 kB))

    • Academic CV

    • Letter of motivation outlining the title and objectives of the dissertation project, personal development goals, and reasons for applying (maximum two pages)

    • Enrollment certificate (if available)

    • Letter of recommendation from the supervisor (optional but encouraged)

    Information on data protection (PDF, 290 kB)

  • Submission and application deadline

    Please submit your complete application as a single PDF file via e-mail to Dr. Izadora Silva Pimenta (izadora.silva.pimenta@uni-mannheim.de) with the subject line: acadeMIA Application 2026. Applications are open through 10 April 2026.

    We are happy to answer any informal questions you may have before submitting your application.

  • Fees

    Participation is free of charge.

Cosima Meyer hat mittellange blonde Haare. Sie trägt ein buntes Oberteil und lächelt in die kamera.
Credit: Jula Jacob
acadeMIA is a unique program offered at the University of Mannheim bringing together inspiring female early-stage researchers. In addition to providing a wide range of input during the workshops, the program also contributes to the creation of a group cohesion that lasts beyond acadeMIA!
Cosima Meyer, academic staff member at the chair of Political Science IV and in the “Data and Methods Unit” of the Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES).
Kerstin Lux hat mittelange blonde Haare. Sie trägt ein rosanes Oberteil und einen dunklen Blazer darüber.
Credit: Privat
acadeMIA has been rewarding for me, both from a professional and from a personal perspective. During the training program, I was able to further develop my professional skills and improve the perception of my strengths. In addition, I came into contact with many fascinating young female researchers from various disciplines, thus expanding my horizon enormously. Working with them and the coaches was great fun!
Kerstin Lux, doctoral student at the chair of Scientific Computing
Anna Bruk hat lange braune Haare mit Locken. Sie trägt ein dunkles Oberteil und lächelt in die Kamera.
Credit: Timo Hecht
The acadeMIA program was very helpful for both my professional and personal development. Thanks to the program, I was able to build a network of women from different disciplines, and the exchange of ideas stimulated exciting interdisciplinary research questions. In addition, I also made some friends during the program, which I still cherish very much even years later.
Anna Bruk, academic staff member at the chair of Micro-Sociology and Social Psychology

Contact

Dr. Izadora Silva Pimenta (she/her)

Officer for Transformation: Diversity
University of Mannheim
Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity
B 6, 30–32
68159 Mannheim
Phone: +49 621 181-2568
E-mail: izadora.silva.pimentamail-uni-mannheim.de

Tracking cookies are currently allowed.

Do not allow tracking cookies

Tracking cookies are currently not allowed.

Allow tracking cookies