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Leadership Talent Academy
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More than a management school – LTA changes perspectives
In this video, we show you why LTA goes far beyond classic management training. Former participants share their personal experiences, highlights, and the lasting impact the program had on them.
The LTA is a place of real learning – about leadership, about values, and above all about oneself. This is about more than just tools and techniques: It is about genuine "good leadership" that inspires, provides direction, and has an impact.
Learn about the specific benefits that participation will bring to your professional and personal development – and why taking the step to LTA is really worth it for you.
A heartfelt thank you to Johannes Schenk for providing us with this video.
The LTA is a place of real learning – about leadership, about values, and above all about oneself. This is about more than just tools and techniques: It is about genuine "good leadership" that inspires, provides direction, and has an impact.
Learn about the specific benefits that participation will bring to your professional and personal development – and why taking the step to LTA is really worth it for you.
A heartfelt thank you to Johannes Schenk for providing us with this video.
At a glance: Statements to the LTA
The most important thing at a glance
Appointments
Application period: January 15–February 1, 2026
Selection interviews: February/March and August/September
Start dates: for the summer and winter semesters
Infos
Information events: January 26, 2026 (on-site), January 27, 2026 (online)
Application
Majors: MINT
Status: Master students, doctoral students
Process: 1) Online application, 2) Selection interview, 3) Acceptance or rejection
Application period: January 15–February 1, 2026
Selection interviews: February/March and August/September
Start dates: for the summer and winter semesters
Infos
Information events: January 26, 2026 (on-site), January 27, 2026 (online)
Application
Majors: MINT
Status: Master students, doctoral students
Process: 1) Online application, 2) Selection interview, 3) Acceptance or rejection
Contents
Module days in the winter semester 2025/2026 (Badge #9) -
Each LTA badge comprises eight module days.
Self-leadership and leadership (October 20–21, 2025)
Reading leadership situations, responding appropriately, and staying in control are basic requirements for a good leader. In this two-day workshop, we will explore the topics of leadership and self-leadership. The focus will be on “leadership at eye level,” which is fundamental to success in a rapidly changing (economic) world. The first module concludes with the development of a personal leadership compass.Day 1: Leadership on equal terms: Recognizing roles, situations, and scope for action
Goals:
Speaker: Simone Ramelsberger M.A., M.Sc., expert in leadership development, systemic coach, and trainer in the field of innovation for over 7 years Dates:
Mon, October 20, 2025, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tue, October 21, 2025, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Reading leadership situations
- Leadership roles and recommendations for action
- Methods for leadership on equal terms
- Self-leadership and performance
- Individual values and strengths
- Personal leadership compass needle
Goals:
- Inner stability and clarity in a leadership context
- Application of specific tools for leadership and self-leadership
- Orientation for career and leadership entry
Speaker: Simone Ramelsberger M.A., M.Sc., expert in leadership development, systemic coach, and trainer in the field of innovation for over 7 years Dates:
Mon, October 20, 2025, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tue, October 21, 2025, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Authentic & Embodied Leadership: Leading with Presence and Integrity (November 27, 2025)
Part 1: “Authentic Leadership” – Leading yourself and others authentically (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Authentic leadership builds on the experience that people are particularly productive, creative, and positively motivated when they consider what they do to be consistent, meaningful, and right. The “Authentic Leadership” module offers a thorough introduction to what it means to be authentic. Two basic skills are central to this: self-reflection and self-awareness.Contents:
Objectives:
Speaker: Johannes Lober M.A., MBA, Managing Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Leadership (LETHOS) Date/time:
Thu, Nov. 27, 2025 / 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Part 2: “Embodied Leadership: Leading in Motion” – Seeing and Being Seen (2:00–5:00 p.m.)
We transfer the cognitive learning experience to the body. In the afternoon of the module day, we learn what it means to connect with ourselves and others through movement.Contents:
Speaker: Johannes Härtl, Managing Director, Iwanson International School of Contemporary Dance Date/time:
Thu, Nov. 27, 2025 / 2-5 p.m.
Authentic leadership builds on the experience that people are particularly productive, creative, and positively motivated when they consider what they do to be consistent, meaningful, and right. The “Authentic Leadership” module offers a thorough introduction to what it means to be authentic. Two basic skills are central to this: self-reflection and self-awareness.Contents:
- The importance of authenticity for one's own life, especially in a leadership role
- Self-reflection: questioning one's own motives, values, and goals
- Self-awareness: reflecting on and dealing with emotions
Objectives:
- Exploring the idea of authentic self-leadership
- Training self-awareness and self-reflection
Speaker: Johannes Lober M.A., MBA, Managing Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Leadership (LETHOS) Date/time:
Thu, Nov. 27, 2025 / 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Part 2: “Embodied Leadership: Leading in Motion” – Seeing and Being Seen (2:00–5:00 p.m.)
We transfer the cognitive learning experience to the body. In the afternoon of the module day, we learn what it means to connect with ourselves and others through movement.Contents:
- Movement experience and awareness creation
- Contact experience
- Circle of Life
Speaker: Johannes Härtl, Managing Director, Iwanson International School of Contemporary Dance Date/time:
Thu, Nov. 27, 2025 / 2-5 p.m.
Tba (November 28, 2025)
The contents of this module will be announced at a later date.
Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution (December 15, 2025)
Effective communication and conflict resolution are key success factors in leadership roles. The ability to communicate clearly and purposefully and to resolve conflicts constructively is crucial for productive and harmonious collaboration. Given the complexity of modern working environments, developing these skills is becoming increasingly important. In this module, participants gain a basic understanding of communication strategies and conflict resolution approaches and learn how to apply them specifically to their everyday working lives and derive appropriate measures for different situations.Contents and objectives:
Speaker: Susanna FeldmeyerDate/time:
Tue, Dec. 15, 2025 / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Communication basics: Understanding and applying communication models, behaviors, and styles
- Effective communication: Experiencing the effects of limited communication and strategically counteracting them in everyday practice
- Conflict resolution: Understanding the mediation process, reflecting on one's own role and attitude as a manager, and effectively supporting conflicting parties in finding solutions
Speaker: Susanna FeldmeyerDate/time:
Tue, Dec. 15, 2025 / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Intercultural Leadership (December 16, 2025)
Intercultural leadership is a key success factor for international companies. However, leadership concepts vary considerably from culture to culture. In view of the increasing global networking and internationalization of companies, identifying and understanding cultural differences and their influence in an economic and business context is becoming increasingly important. In this course, participants gain a basic understanding of relevant cultural theories and learn how to apply them specifically to the leadership context and derive appropriate measures for different situations.Contents:
Tue, Dec. 16, 2025 / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Introduction to intercultural leadership: Definition and significance of intercultural leadership
- Culture and cultural differences: Concept of culture and cultural dimensions as well as intercultural sensitivity
- Intercultural communication: Communication styles and patterns in different cultures as well as challenges and practices for communication in international teams
- Leadership in different cultures: Cultural influences on leadership concepts as well as culturally adapted leadership strategies
- Conflict management in intercultural teams: Recognizing and overcoming conflicts in multicultural teams, and developing conflict resolution strategies
Tue, Dec. 16, 2025 / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Business Integrity (January 22, 2026)
Business Integrity – Assuming ethical responsibility in companies
As a manager, you have to make decisions every day, often decisions with far-reaching consequences – and ones that present difficult dilemmas. The Business Integrity module prepares you for conflict situations, equips you with the ability to speak and act ethically, and thus promotes the development of ethical conflict management skills. Contents:
Thu, Jan. 22, 2026 / 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As a manager, you have to make decisions every day, often decisions with far-reaching consequences – and ones that present difficult dilemmas. The Business Integrity module prepares you for conflict situations, equips you with the ability to speak and act ethically, and thus promotes the development of ethical conflict management skills. Contents:
- Multiple crises and dwindling trust in politics: What must the state do, what can the market do, what should companies do?
- Social responsibility as an open concept: The role and significance of social stakeholders
- Interplay of corporate values, strategy, and corporate culture—value discourse, value hierarchy, and principle-based pragmatism as a foundation
- Benefits of the ethical responsibility toolbox in the area of conflict between “legality” and “legitimacy”
- Significance of leadership personalities and corporate culture based on the case study of the diesel scandal
- Consideration of a business case for acting with integrityObjectives:
- Becoming familiar with ethical theory and its applicability to acting with integrity in business with the help of a “toolbox”
- Strengthening ethical language and action skills and encouraging participants to take responsible steps of their own in resolving ethical conflicts
Thu, Jan. 22, 2026 / 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Integration, Transfer & Academy Celebrate (January 23, 2026)
The closing event, featuring welcoming remarks from representatives of KIT and the Karl Schlecht Foundation, provides a prestigious setting for the presentation of participant certificates.We are also looking forward to a “hot seat” session, which will feature insights from a leader's practical experience, followed by a discussion.Contents:
Speaker: Lena Held (LTA Project Manager), tba. Date/time:
Fri, Jan. 23, 2026 / 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Review of the Leadership Talent Academy and outlook on personal perspectives
- Exchange on the guiding principles and message behind the Leadership Talent Academy
- “Hot seat”: Impulse and open exchange with a leader
Speaker: Lena Held (LTA Project Manager), tba. Date/time:
Fri, Jan. 23, 2026 / 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Application process
Here’s how to apply for the LTA
The application period for the 2026 summer semester is from January 15 to February 1, 2026.
We'll keep you posted on when the application period for the 26/27 winter semester starts.
We'll keep you posted on when the application period for the 26/27 winter semester starts.
Selection criteria
Phase 1: Online application
Requirements:
Application materials:
Submit application::
- Master's degree or doctorate at KIT (engineering/natural sciences)
- Just before transitioning into professional life
- Interest in leadership responsibility, value-oriented personality and career development, and self-reflection
- Willingness to participate in all workshop and seminar days and to further engage in the program
- Very good German language skills (C1)
Application materials:
- Motivation Letter (max. 1 page): Why are you interested in the Leadership Talent Academy? What does "Good leadership" mean to you? What do you want from the program?
- Tabellarischer Lebenslauf
- Certificate of enrollment or acceptance as a doctoral candidate: (for the relevant semester)
- Certificates and transcript of grades: University graduation certificates and current transcript of grades (foreign certificates can only be considered with a German translation and grade classification)
- Evidence of social or professional commitment: Information will only be considered with proof
- Other certificates: as stated in the CV.
- Language Proficiency Test for non-native speakers:
Submit application::
- Only available online!
- Login with KIT account data on the Career Service website (no extra registration required)
- During application phases you can upload your application in our provided form.
Phase 2: Selection interviews
- Why? We want to get to know you as a person during the selection interviews. We are interested in who you are and what motivates you to participate in the LTA. This is not a technical interview.
- When and where? The selection interviews last about 30 minutes per applicant and take place in Karlsruhe. We will inform you of an exact date after we have received a positive response to your application.
- Important: The selection interviews can only take place during the specified time period and cannot be postponed. In exceptional cases, we can offer online appointments with a verifiable justification.
Phase 3: Confirmation or Cancellation
- When? In the week after the selection interviews
- How? Via email – please also check your spam folder
- Important: Please understand that due to the large number of applications, we cannot provide detailed information on the reasons for any rejection. If you are unable to participate at this time, we would be happy to receive your application for the next round!
Informationsveranstaltung
FAQ - Do you have any questions?
What does the funding include?
The support programme comprises eight module days with workshops on personal development and seminars on the topic of good leadership, rounded off by a kick-off and a closing event. All participants also have the opportunity to attend three individual coaching sessions. After completing the programme, participants are invited to network at the LTA alumni events.
How often does the programme start?
The programme starts every six months at the beginning of each semester.
How many interested parties will be given the opportunity to participate?
Up to 25 applicants per round can take part in the programme.
What are my obligations as a participant?
If you are selected, you should be available on all workshop and seminar days. At the end of the programme, we would be delighted if you would get involved in the next round as an alumnus/alumna. The success of the support programme stands and falls with this commitment!
Target group
Who can apply?
Committed master's and doctoral students of the KIT from the fields of engineering and natural sciences who are about to enter professional life can apply. German language skills of at least C1 level are a prerequisite for participation
I am NOT studying or doing a doctorate at KIT - can I still take part in the programme?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. The programme is offered exclusively for KIT Master's students and doctoral candidates
Can I apply if I am doing a second degree or a postgraduate programme?
Yes.
I am doing a doctorate, can I also apply?
Yes.
Can foreign students apply?
Yes. The funding programme is open to Master's students and doctoral candidates of all nationalities. If you are a non-native speaker, we require proof of German language proficiency at level C1.
Is there an age limit for the application?
No.
I am on leave of absence, can I still take part in the programme?
As long as you can ensure that you can regularly attend all workshop and seminar days, there is nothing to stop you.
Is the standard period of study relevant for the application? I exceed my standard period of study during the programme, can I still apply?
The standard period of study is not relevant for the application. Exceeding the standard period of study is therefore not an obstacle to participation in the programme. The only important thing is that you remain enrolled and can take part in all workshop and seminar days.
Can I apply if I finish my studies or doctorate during the programme?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. A major focus of the programme consists of self-awareness elements and building a sustainable community together with the other participants. Therefore, continuous participation in all workshop and seminar days is required.
I can NOT participate in all workshop and seminar days of the programme. Is it possible to take part in individual days only or to suspend participation in the programme, e.g. due to a semester abroad/internship abroad?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. A major focus of the programme consists of elements of self-awareness and building a sustainable community together with the other participants. Therefore, continuous participation in all workshop and seminar days is required.
I change universities, will I lose my participation in the programme?
If you can foresee that you will change universities during the semester in which the programme takes place, participation in the programme is unfortunately not possible.
I receive BAföG, a scholarship from the Begabtenförderungswerke or one or more other scholarships. Can I still take part in the programme?
Yes, participation in the Leadership Talent Academy programme is not dependent on receiving BAföG, funding from the Begabtenförderungswerke or another scholarship. However, please also clarify possible participation in the Leadership Talent Academy with the relevant BAföG office, talent promotion organisation or scholarship provider before you apply.
Application process
How does the application process work?
To participate in the Leadership Talent Academy, you must first submit your written application documents online. After reviewing your documents and providing positive feedback, we would like to get to know you in the second part of the selection process, which consists of interviews.
What grade point average should I have to have a good chance of participating?
There is no fixed grade criterion or numerus clausus (NC) as is the case with university admissions, but in addition to your individual motivation, your academic achievements and any social engagement will also be taken into account in the selection process.
I am studying for a master's degree. Do I have to submit my bachelor's degree certificate?
Please submit all application-related documents, such as internship, student assistant, or employment references, as well as current transcripts and (final) certificates, together within the application period.
I have a student assistant/work position. Should I also submit proof of this?
Please submit all application-related documents, such as internship, student assistant, or employment references, as well as current transcripts and (final) certificates, together within the application period.
I am studying at two faculties. Do I have to choose one degree program during the application process?
Yes. When applying online, please choose one of your two degree programs and specify it. Only the grade point average for this degree program will then count.
What form should the proof of my social engagement take?
Your proof should show how intensively you have been involved and what kind of involvement it was.
Are selection interviews planned?
Yes. Selection interviews usually take place in the week after positive feedback on the submitted application documents. Please make sure you keep these dates free, as there will be no alternative dates.
Is the LTA also accessible to students studying to become teachers?
No. The program is designed for students and doctoral candidates in the natural sciences and engineering without a background in education.
Can I reapply at a later date after being rejected?
Yes. A rejection does not mean that you have automatically been rejected for the future. You can reapply for each round.
I don't know if my application was successfully received. How
Please apply using the digital application form. You will find the link for this on the Application page. As soon as we have received your application, you will receive an automated confirmation of receipt. Please also check your spam folder if necessary.
Will my personal data be forwarded to third parties as part of an application?
Within KIT, only authorized employees have and receive access to your personal data if they absolutely need to know about your application.
What about data protection, and where can I find information on this topic?
The privacy policy for the application process can be found on the online application form, which is activated during the application period. By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read the privacy policy. In addition, KIT's general privacy policy also applies when visiting the website.
