The Dr. Jost Henkel Foundation sponsors talents and not certain disciplines - the selection process of the scholarships prioritizes students who verify that they cannot finance their studies either with their own funds or with the help of others.

Scholarship holders are supported personally during their studies and their career entry. Moreover, the Dr. Jost Henkel Foundation helps them to find internships and stays by their side during their diploma thesis or dissertation. The Foundation tries to bring its scholarships in line with demand by focusing on people who will play a key role in future social and economical development. At the moment that includes prospective economists and social scientists, natural scientists and engineers. The Foundation Board has decided to stay abreast of the changes on the educational sector where more and more private schools position themselves next to public models. The Foundation is committed to foster private initiatives.

The scholarship can only begin after the intermediate diploma or a comparable intermediate examination. It includes the semester breaks (except for months in which the student has a job).  Special rules apply for doctoral promotions and semesters and internships abroad.

Postgraduate and studies abroad - including post-doc and MBA studies - are considered trendsetting. Also internships abroad, doctoral theses and projects that are connected to the studies can be sponsored. That applies for scholarship holders from abroad who want to study in Germany, as well as for German students who want to study abroad. However, they have to satisfactorily show that it would not be possible to gain the same benefits - meaning expertise relevant for their studies, both qualitatively and quantitatively - in Germany.

The Dr. Jost Henkel Foundation attaches great importance to gaining insights into the scholarship holders’ studies. The sponsored students have to account for the success of their education. Well before each new semester the student has to submit a report on the previous semester, including certificates. The scholarship holders commit themselves to using the sponsorship purely for their studies and to arrange these in a way that they will complete their final exams successfully within an adequate time.  Besides this there are no further obligations towards the Foundation and the responsible company.

The Dr. Jost Henkel Foundation grants the following benefits, alternatively:

• monthly payments;
• one-time payments per semester for the acquisition of teaching materials and aids that are necessary for the course of studies;
• one-time payments (grants, compensation for travel expenses etc.);
• interest-free loans (after an exceptionally excellent graduation of the study or the doctoral thesis the loan can be converted to a scholarship afterwards).