Paul Hoffmann Foundation

The Paul Hoffmann Foundation was established on the initiative of Dr. Werner Hoffmann, retired academic from the predecessor institution of Hochschule Geisenheim University. The name of the Foundation honors his father Paul Hoffmann, Sr. and his brother Paul Hoffmann, Jr. His father also studied horticulture in Geisenheim in 1911/12. The property of the brother's former plant nursery in Trebbin (Brandenburg) is the capital of the foundation today.

In 1945, Paul Hoffmann, Jr., and his brother Hans were expropriated and sentenced to death by a Soviet military court for anti-Soviet propaganda. Later, the sentence was changed to ten years of imprisonment in a camp in Siberia. In 1947, Hans Hoffmann had a fatal accident in the coal mine. Paul Hoffmann, Jr. returned home in 1953.

In 2001, the brothers were rehabilitated by the Russian General Prosecutor's Office. It took until 2008 for the property of the former nursery, which became the Foundation's capital, to be returned to the Hoffmann family. Therefore, the Foundation was established in December 2008.

Within the framework of its funding guidelines, the Foundation provides grants for Geisenheim students who go abroad for study-related internships, project work or theses, and sponsors international students at Hochschule Geisenheim University who are involved in projects which support the goals of the foundation. The grants usually consist of a travel allowance for stays abroad or a financial contribution to living and travel expenses for research stays in Germany.

To apply for the scholarship, please submit all required documents and the completed application form (see “Application”) to the Foundation Board (info(at)paul-hoffmann-stiftung.de).

Who is eligible? Students studying for a degree in Horticulture (B.Sc.), Crop and Horticultural Science (M.Sc.) or related programs at Hochschule Geisenheim University, as well as students from international universities are entitled to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Average grade „GOOD“ or better; all semesters up to and including the semester prior to the application will be included in the calculation of the average grade
• Successful completion of modules on plant-based food production
• Good language skills (at least English or native language of host country)

The Foundation Board will select the recipient of the grant and determine the amount based on the funds available in each fiscal year. There is no legal right to receive a grant.

Please submit your application online (info(at)paul-hoffmann-stiftung.de) and attach the following documents:

• Degree certificate (copy)
• CV
• Completed application form (see document)
• Written statement of your thesis supervisor
• Description of your project (max. 10 pages); please address in particular:
  • State of technical and scientific knowledge as well as preliminary work 
  • Project aim
  • Methods to be used
  • What progress is expected from the project?
  • How will the results be put into practice?
  • What are the benefits for the local community?
  • How will the benefits be communicated and why are the results expected to be accepted?
• Detailed list of project costs

Board of Directors:

• Prof. Dr. Jana Zinkernagel, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Chairperson
• Prof. Dr. Annette Reineke, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Deputy Chairperson
• Dipl. Ing. Sabine Rasim, Hochschule Geisenheim University

Board of Trustees:

• Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz, Präsident der Hochschule Geisenheim University, Vorsitzender
• Dipl.- Bankbetriebswirt (ADG) Helmut Colloseus, Geisenheim
• Prof. Dr. Werner Eigler, Rüdesheim
• Dipl. Ing. Andrea Fütterer, GEPA, Wuppertal
• Pfarrer Johannes Hoffmann, Guntersblum
• Dipl. Ing. Eike Kaim, Hochschule Geisenheim University
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. H.-J. Linke, TU Darmstadt
• Dipl. Ing. Robert Lönarz, Präsident VEG-Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V.
• Prof. Dr. Wolfram Spreer , Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf