Alwin Lehner Scholarship
About the Alwin Lehner Scholarship
Alwin Lehner was one of the founders of the family-owned enterprise ALPLA and, for many years, the driving force behind its innovations.
At 200 locations in 46 countries, ALPLA manufactures plastic packaging such as bottles, closures, injection-moulded parts, preforms and tubes, making it one of the world’s leading companies in the packaging industry.
Topics such as innovation, sustainability and recycling are extremely important to ALPLA. There are numerous initiatives and collaborations in these areas that present new and interesting opportunities for the future.
ALPLArecycling, for example, stands for consolidated expertise in plastics recycling. Our international network now comprises 14 businesses in 10 countries.
In memory of Alwin Lehner, the ALPLA Group is funding a scholarship for exceptionally talented and dedicated students from Austria and abroad. Applicants must demonstrate merit and be enrolled on a course of study relevant to ALPLA at an institution specified by ALPLA (university, university of applied sciences).
‘Supporting young talent was always close to Alwin’s heart,’ explains Carmen Lehner, Family Office Manager at ALPLA. This is why the Alwin Lehner Scholarship was established.
In the spirit of our founder, scholarships have been awarded to talented students at home and abroad every year since autumn 2021. Applications are open to students wishing to pursue a course of study relevant to ALPLA or who are already in the middle of their studies. In addition to the financial assistance, the scholarship also includes paid internships at ALPLA in Austria and abroad.
For the time being, the scholarships are available for students at renowned universities (of applied sciences) in Austria and Germany. ‘In the long term, however, we can very well envisage a more global award,’ says the Family Manager.
Call for applications in 2025
We are delighted to be able to award five scholarships again for the 2025/26 academic year. Please note the application deadline (1 June 2025).
People targeted
Exceptionally talented and dedicated students from Austria and abroad who demonstrate merit and are enrolled on a course of study relevant to ALPLA at a university supported by ALPLA.
Which courses of study are eligible for funding and where can I study them?
Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, AT
Computer Science, MSc
Aalen University, DE
Polymer Technology, MSc
Merseburg University of Applied Sciences
Polymer Materials Science, MSc
JKU Linz, AT
Sustainable Plastics Technology and the Circular Economy, BSc
Polymer Engineering and Science (PES), MSc
Sustainability and Plastics Management (SPM), MSc
MU Leoben, AT
Circular Engineering, MSc
Plastics Engineering, MSc
Materials Management and Materials Technology, BSc
Recycling Engineering, MSc
Responsible Consumption and Production, MSc
Environmental and Climate Protection Engineering, MSc
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, AT
Environment and Bioresources Management, MSc
Civil Engineering and Water Management, MSc
The chosen courses of study are ones that are highly strategically relevant to ALPLA.
Number of scholarships
A maximum of 5 scholarships will be awarded in total.
Duration of scholarship entitlement
The maximum duration of the scholarship is two academic years. This applies to bachelor’s and master’s students alike.
Scholarship amount
EUR 3,600 per semester. The aim is to contribute to the cost of living and tuition fees (grant).
Scholarship payment
Payment is made at the beginning of each semester.
If the course of study is discontinued, this must be reported immediately. The scholarship will then be stopped.
Proof of achievement
Positive proof of achievement is required for the scholarship to be paid out. This means a minimum of 20 ECTS credits per semester.
Proof of achievement must be submitted at the end of each semester for the following semester.
An internship report must be submitted for each internship completed.
Full-time study
The student must have the status of a full-time student.
Internships; bachelor’s/master’s thesis
We would also like to point out that internships can be completed at ALPLA during the scholarship. Internships at one of ALPLA’s numerous international locations are particularly attractive.
Duration of long-term internship: at least 12 weeks. Duration of short-term internship: 6–8 weeks each.
The scholarship recipients often also write their bachelor’s/master’s thesis at the company, provided that the student, the company and the supervisor at the institution concerned agree on a topic.
Relevant application documents
- CV (German or English)
- Covering letter on the following topic: ‘What is my motivation to apply for an Alwin Lehner Scholarship?’ (max. 2 pages)
- An explanation of why a scholarship is needed from a financial perspective
- Certificate of enrolment/study or confirmation of a place for the next semester in one of the requested subject areas (if already available)
- University certificate, A-level certificates, internship references (if already available)
- Copy of passport
Application process
The application deadline is 1 June 2025. The required documents must be sent to the following email address: Stipendien@alpla.com
After an initial screening, selected applicants will be invited to a personal interview at company headquarters in Hard, Vorarlberg (Austria).
The in-person interviews will be held on 4 July 2025. The successful applicants will be chosen by 25 July 2025 at the latest.
Mentor
While in receipt of the scholarship, the scholarship holders will be assigned a mentor from the relevant department.
The mentor is the main point of contact for the scholarship recipients and guides them during their onboarding at the company and for the duration of the scholarship.
Company
‘Promoting young talent was always close to Alwin’s heart.’Carmen Lehner, Family Office Manager
