Application

The Alfred Delp Studiennetzwerk supports motivated and talented individuals seeking holistic personal development and who are open to spiritual and religious questions. People of any gender and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply.

 

Applications are open to women and men between the ages of 18 and 30 who are in training, pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in any field of study. Those engaged in a research project or on a gap year or studying abroad are also eligible to apply. Entry into the program is possible at any stage of one's studies or training.

 

Applicants must reside or study in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Lithuania, or Latvia (territory of the Central European Province of the Jesuits) or be enrolled in a Jesuit educational institution in Europe or worldwide.

 

The main language within the study network is German, but proficiency in English is also required and assumed.

  • to strive to distinguish themselves in their education, studies, and research through initiative and creativity, thereby achieving strong performance.
  • to understand themselves as holistic learners and be willing to participate actively and creatively in the program’s offerings.
  • to support and accompany one another within the network and contribute to the organization and implementation of activities.
  • to be people for others and engage in society accordingly.
  • to deepen their personal search for meaning, remain open to different forms of faith, and approach people of other religious traditions or secular worldviews with respect.
  • to submit a reflection report on their experiences at the end of the fellowship year.

Mandatory events in the first year of the fellowship include the introductory days, the annual gathering, and the introductory spiritual retreat. Applicants should keep these dates free. The following dates are already fixed for the 2026 cohort:

  • October 2–4, 2026: Introductory Days in Frankfurt (Main)
  • May 5–9, 2027: Introductory Spiritual Retreat in Vienna (Austria)
  • Motivation letter (half a page to a maximum of one page): Why am I applying for funding, and how do I intend to contribute to the study network?
  • Curriculum vitae in tabular form, including a photo and contact details, as well as a study plan for the near future and intended career goal
  • Copies of recent transcripts or certificates (current academic transcript and high school diploma)
  • Letter of recommendation from a referee in the field of education, school, university, church, or a social or public institution.
    The letter should explicitly address the applicant’s suitability for support through the study network and should be between one and a maximum of two pages in length.

Please send your complete application as one single PDF file by July 12, 2026, via email to alfred-delp-studiennetzwerk(at)jesuiten.org.

After the application deadline, the new fellows will be selected by the leadership team of the Alfred Delp Studiennetzwerk based on the submitted applications. In selecting the 20-member cohort, special emphasis is placed on ensuring diversity in terms of backgrounds and academic disciplines.

Applicants will be informed of the leadership team’s decision by early August. No information about the selection process will be shared with applicants or the public.

All applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt once their application has been submitted. If you have not received a confirmation within three days of sending your application, please contact the office by email.

If you have any questions about the application or the application process, please contact Cornelius Wilke at cornelius.wilke(at)jesuiten.org.