The Elsa-Neumann-Scholarship provides funding for doctoral researchers at the four Berlin universities. Scholarships can be awarded either as full scholarships to prepare a doctoral thesis (up to 36 months) or as completion scholarships for advanced doctoral research projects (maximum 12 months).

To have a chance of success, an applicant's academic performance must be far above average, which is usually demonstrated by the final grade of their university degree(s). The doctoral project must be expected to make an important contribution to the candidate's field of research. Applicants are only eligible for an Elsa Neumann scholarship if they have not yet received public funding for their doctoral project.

There are two regular application periods every year: in April (scholarship then starts in October) and in November (scholarship then starts in April).

The results of the 78th application round will be announced in mid-July.