Sports Scholarships 2026/27

Sports scholarships will be awarded again in the 2026–27 academic year. Nine scholarship recipients are delighted to receive this support.

Congratulations to all scholarship recipients!

Name: Hannes Degenkolb
Degree program: Hydrosciences
Sport: Cycling (cyclocross, cross-country mountain biking)

What I appreciate most about my sport is the time spent outdoors in nature. When you’re on a bike, you learn a lot about your surroundings if you pay close attention.
The sport has taught me patience. Reaching your goals can take longer than you expect. You shouldn’t let that discourage you too quickly, but you also shouldn’t be stubborn.
My greatest athletic achievements are my two German championship titles.
In golf, on the other hand, I’m not a natural.
The scholarship is an important source of financial support for me, helping me focus better on my athletic and academic careers.

Name: Loic
Degree program: Mechanical Engineering
Sport: Orienteering

What I love about orienteering is that every race is a new, unknown challenge.
Through sports, I’ve learned to handle high-pressure situations, which is always very helpful before exams.
Next year, I want to make a smooth transition from the junior to the elite category and, above all, take my training to the next level.
My coolest competition experience this year was the Jukola. It’s an overnight relay race in Finland that, with nearly 20,000 participants, is the world’s largest orienteering competition.
Thanks to the sports scholarship, I can focus fully on competitive sports and also invest more money in my health.

Name: Vanessa Huth
Degree program: Psychology
Sport: Handball

What fascinates me most about handball is the mix of speed, team spirit, and individuality. It’s a sport in which everyone can and must continue to develop—both as individuals and as a team.
Handball has taught me important qualities such as discipline, motivation, ambition, and teamwork. The sport has also taught me not to let setbacks discourage me, but to learn from them and move forward stronger.
The athletic scholarship is a vital source of support for me in balancing the demands of my studies and competitive sports. It allows me to reach my full potential in both areas and continue to grow.
My big dream: to advance to the Women’s Handball Bundesliga 1.

Name: Konstantin Kunckel
Degree program: Mechanical Engineering
Sport: Orienteering

What excites me about my sport is the combination of physical and mental
challenges. Consistent effort leads to success. This knowledge also helps me in my studies, just as does good annual planning and setting clear priorities during critical phases.
My greatest athletic achievement was placing 19th in the knockout sprint at the 2026 World Championships. Next year, I’d like to qualify for the European Championships and achieve the best possible result there. My coolest competition experience, however, was racing at night in very rainy, bad weather alongside about 1,500 other competitors.
I use the sports scholarship to fund training camps and equipment.

Name: Vivienne Morgenstern
Degree Program: Business Administration and Economics
Sport: Track and field, 400-meter hurdles

I started competitive gymnastics at age 6 and switched
10 to track and field. What I love about hurdling is that you always have a new goal to reach—after all, there are 10 hurdles to clear.
Stamina and ambition play a major role for me, but through sports I’ve also learned how important self-discipline and good time management are. To balance my studies and training, I plan my weeks very carefully and set priorities. I organize my time in a very structured way and plan my semesters accordingly.
Two of my greatest athletic achievements were placing third at the U23 European Championships and winning first place with the 4x400m relay team at the World University Games.
I use the athletic scholarship to fund training camps and purchase nutritional supplements to stay healthy and support my body as best as possible.

Name: Marek Pompe
Degree Program: Medicine
Sport: Orienteering

What I love about orienteering is that even while running at high intensity, you still have to stay mentally sharp enough to find the fastest route to the finish line.
In both sports and my studies, it helps that you usually reach the finish line—or your goal—faster, and definitely more efficiently, if you develop a “plan” beforehand.
Next year, I’d like to compete in the World Championships in Italy and become the German champion.
My coolest competition experience was defending the German Club Championship title this year with my home club. It was a very exciting 5-person relay race.
I use the sports scholarship to fund training camps and training and competition gear, such as running shoes.

Name: Timo Schwaiger
Degree Program: High School Teaching, German and History
Sport: Handball

What excites me about my sport is that you can only be successful as a well-functioning team. I’m also fascinated by the tactical and athletic aspects, since handball is an extremely fast-paced sport.
In my studies, it helps me that I’ve learned through handball not to dwell on failures, but to use them constructively.
My greatest personal athletic achievement to date was my debut in the 2nd Handball Bundesliga. Another major success was winning the university championships and the resulting qualification for the 2026 EUSA Games.
The athletic scholarship helps me balance my studies and competitive sports by earning me greater recognition and acceptance from the faculties, while also providing financial support—which is especially helpful when it comes to nutrition.

Name: Selina Stamer
Degree program: Medicine
Sport: Karate

Competitive karate is a very diverse sport that brings together a wide variety of elements. Both physical endurance and coordination are required to a high degree in order to execute a technique with lightning speed and precision—at exactly the right moment and from exactly the right distance—in a controlled manner against an opponent.
Through competitive sports, I’ve learned perseverance, discipline, and the belief that I can rise to the challenge—even when it seems overwhelming at first.
My coolest competition experience was the Wado European Cup three years ago, where we won the title by a single point after some nerve-wracking bouts.
Without the athletic scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to afford important competitions or trips to training camps. Thanks to the support from the TU, I’m able to participate in both training and world-ranking tournaments.

Name: Sina Stöckmann
Degree Program: Master’s Program in Spatial Development and
Natural Resource Management
Sport: Volleyball

I love the feel of the ball and the teamwork. What I find coolest are the powerful attacks where the setter passes the ball very quickly so you can hit it with full force before the block closes in.
Self-discipline and the drive to see things through are very important in both competitive sports and my studies. I notice this especially when it comes to term papers.
My biggest challenge is being away from campus during my
season during the winter semester. It’s important to plan ahead and
be dedicated. I manage many lectures and courses on my own with
the help of course materials, while at the same time I have a large number of exams and
in-person classes condensed into the summer semester.
The support I received from the athletic scholarship program helped me balance my studies and sports.