Careers in a duet: Stuttgart supports highly qualified couples!

Careers in a duet: Stuttgart supports highly qualified couples!

On October 17, 2025, the focus will be on the Dual Career Program at the University of Stuttgart, which specifically supports couples with highly qualified partners. This program is coordinated by the university network “dualcareersolutions” and works closely with partner universities in the region. The main goal is to meet the career aspirations of academics, which is particularly important in science. Education, science and innovation are central pillars of the region's prosperity, which is why it is of great importance to attract the best scientists to the location and retain them in the long term.

Ines Aufrecht, responsible for the Science and Universities Department in Stuttgart, emphasizes the importance of the reception, which serves to support newly appointed academics and promotes their integration into the scientific community.

Challenges for dual career couples

Dual Career Couples are couples in which both partners are highly qualified and employed. Such dual career couples are common in science, although the long qualification phases and often precarious employment relationships complicate the situation. The German Research Foundation (DFG) is committed to the goal of equality and equal opportunities in science. This aspect becomes particularly relevant when it comes to considering dual-career aspects in the DFG's decision-making process, which must not be interpreted in a disadvantageous manner.

Although the DFG does not offer any specific funding formats for dual career couples, it strives to reduce obstacles in the funding process. Researching couples can benefit from flexible funding options, for example by applying for research projects jointly or in parallel. If applications are submitted in parallel, it is possible to synchronize the procedures, which enables simultaneous decisions.

Funding opportunities and support

Dual-career partners can also use funding programs that provide funds for project management. When submitting an application, you can cite family reasons as a justification for choosing the location, whereby the principle of competition applies to all applications. However, the individual life situation is only taken into account for the benefit of the applicant.

In addition, dual career measures can be financed from lump sums for equal opportunity measures in DFG-funded projects. Dual career coaching and awareness-raising measures are also possible, provided appropriate applications are submitted. It is recommended that you seek advice from dual career services at universities or research institutions. Information about vacancies in DFG-funded projects is available on the respective websites of the projects or institutions.

The challenges and opportunities that arise for dual career couples in science require committed support from universities and research institutions in order to offer highly qualified scientists an environment in which they can achieve their career goals.