CHRO Immanuel Hermreck encourages employees to participate in the scholarship program.
The application phase for the “Bertelsmann Scholarship Program” is nearing its end – employees have until November 30 to secure a place in one of the program’s renowned online offerings. Immanuel Hermreck, Bertelsmann’s CHRO, encourages everyone to take advantage of this opportunity: “The Scholarship Program enables our employees around the world to prepare for the future in a targeted way – through subjects that shape our digital working world and how we collaborate. I’m delighted by the continued strong interest and firmly believe that anyone who applies now is laying the foundation for personal and professional growth.”
Three learning providers – three paths to success
More than 2,000 scholarship places will be awarded this year across Coursera, Udacity, and Harvard Online. Applicants choose one learning provider. To help with the decision, we’re once again highlighting the three partners and their key strengths below.
Coursera – broad range of topics and flexibility
Participants receive up to twelve months of access to the platform and can choose from courses in technology, data, AI, and – for the first time – human-centric skills. Whether Agentic AI, Data Science & Engineering, or Creative Thinking, Coursera puts individual development front and center. A major benefit: learners can take courses from internationally renowned universities and institutions and earn recognized certificates. The flexible, self-paced format is ideal for employees who want to learn independently, in a hands-on way, and at their own speed.
Udacity – learning through hands-on projects
Udacity stands for applied learning. Its five intensive Nanodegree courses – “Intro to Cybersecurity (Beginner),” “AI Product Manager (Beginner),” “Agentic AI (Intermediate),” “Generative AI (Intermediate),” and “Data Engineering with Azure (Advanced)” – allow learners to apply their skills directly through practical projects. The program is ideal for anyone looking to dive deep into future-relevant topics and prepare specifically for key IT roles.
Harvard Online – structured, cohort-based learning
The four-week “Data Science Principles” program offers a compact introduction to the fundamentals of data analysis. It demonstrates how data can be used to make better decisions – with no mathematical or technical background required. The course is particularly suitable for leaders who want to build a solid understanding of data-driven decision-making. At the same time, it’s also a strong option for employees who want to strengthen their data literacy in their day-to-day work. Participants receive a recognized certificate from Harvard Online upon completion.
Apply now – in less than ten minutes
The countdown is on: you can apply for one of the scholarship places in the “Bertelsmann Scholarship Program” until November 30. Participation is free of charge, and the application process is simple. All applicants will receive a response by mid-December. Courses begin on January 15, 2026. “I strongly encourage all colleagues to seize this opportunity,” says Immanuel Hermreck. “The program offers a great opportunity to broaden your perspective, learn something new, and continue developing your potential.”
24/11/2025
Learning for the Future: The Bertelsmann Scholarship Program 2026
Participants share their experiences – and you can still apply!
Over the past few years, the program has given employees the opportunity to build focused expertise in technology, data, and artificial intelligence – areas that are shaping our digital future. This year, it’s expanding even further: for the first time, the program also includes “Human-Centric Skills.” One thing hasn’t changed: the Scholarship is open to anyone who’s curious and eager to grow.
Applications are open until November 30 – and to give you a glimpse of what it’s like, three colleagues share how the program has inspired their professional and personal growth.
Ario Prariyadi (BMG) – Strengthening Finance Expertise Through Data and Technology
When Ario Prariyadi applied for the Bertelsmann Scholarship for the first time in autumn 2022, his motivation was clear: he wanted to complement his finance background with technological and analytical skills. Although he wasn’t selected on his first try, he didn’t give up – quite the opposite. The initial rejection encouraged him to keep learning and apply again the following year.
The second time around, he succeeded. Through the Scholarship, Ario deepened his knowledge of data analysis, programming, and machine learning via Coursera. What fascinated him most was how theory became tangible through practical exercises and coding projects. He even used weekends to apply what he learned to real scenarios – including work on his master’s thesis in the “Machine Learning for Finance” program.
Ario describes the experience as “exciting and enriching,” and one that has fundamentally changed the way he thinks. Professionally, his new skills help him make more data-driven decisions and increase efficiency. Personally, the scholarship proved to him “that anyone can learn something completely new – no matter their prior knowledge.”
Today, as part of his master’s thesis, he is researching ways to automate the valuation of intangible assets using machine learning in compliance with IFRS Standards. His morivation remains the same: "Learning never stops. I want to stay curious – and maybe take the next course in Data Literacy soon."
Cecilia Malinowski (Arvato) – Responsible Data Use
For Cecilia Malinowski at Arvato, the Scholarship was a way to combine scientific curiosity with practical work. She believes that decisions and communication should be based on facts – not assumptions or bias – and the Harvard program offered exactly that: well-founded knowledge, critically examined and taught with real-world relevance.
Cecilia spread her learning over two to three days each week, which helped her fully absorb the material. This rhythm allowed her to understand topics like data ethics, information management, and cybersecurity not only intellectually but emotionally. Real case studies made a lasting impression on her, including how hospitals handle sensitive patient data or the risks created by unsecured systems. Her key takeaway: "responsible data handling starts with small actions – every email, every message, every decision."
Today, she’s more mindful about how information is shared and used. This awareness shapes both her day-to-day work and her broader thinking about social responsibility in a digital world. Her advice to others: “If you’re ready to broaden your perspective and think critically about data and its impact, you should definitely apply.” For her, the Scholarship marked the beginning of continuous learning – and a step toward greater digital mindfulness.
Mike Mendoza (Penguin Random House) – Four Nanodegrees and Counting
Mike Mendoza at Penguin Random House (PRH) is a great example of what continuous learning really looks like. He has completed four Udacity Nanodegrees so far: “Cloud Architect using Microsoft Azure” (2022), “Cloud DevOps using Microsoft Azure” (2023), “Enterprise Security – Bertelsmann” (2024), and “Ethical Hacker” (2025). Each course brought him closer to his goal of gaining a holistic understanding of modern IT security architectures.
The journey was anything but easy: Mike often started his days at five in the morning to make enough time for learning alongside his job. Although PRH provides IT employees with dedicated learning hours, these were rarely enough for Udacity’s intensive projects. His discipline paid off: each Nanodegree required applying knowledge in real-world scenarios reviewed by Udacity assessors.
For Mike, one of the most inspiring aspects was that the program not only builds technical skills but also creates a community of like-minded learners who motivate and support one another. Professionally, he benefits from his new competencies every day: the cloud and security technologies he has learned flow directly into his work in Identity Security – a key pillar of PRH’s IT infrastructure. His biggest insight? “Growth happens outside your comfort zone. With persistence, curiosity, and ambition, almost anything is achievable.”
His next objective is already set: in 2026, Mike plans to start the new “Udacity Agentic AI Nanodegree” to better understand & help shape the next generation of AI systems.
Interested? Apply Now!
You can apply for a scholarship within the Bertelsmann Scholarship Program until November 30. The application process is quick and straightforward – it takes less than ten minutes.
Here’s how it works:
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Choose your learning provider – for Udacity, select the Nanodegree that interests you.
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Enter your personal information – a short form will guide you through the process.
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Answer up to two brief motivation questions.
(Please note: you can apply to only one learning provider.)
You’ll find more information about available learning options and the application link in the attached material.
So what are you waiting for? ✨
Turn your spark into skills – and get ready for the future with Tech, Data, AI, and Human-Centric Skills!
10/16/2025
Apply Now: The Bertelsmann Scholarship Program 2026
The Bertelsmann Scholarship Program is back - and it's bigger and better than ever!
Once again, employees from all countries and divisions can apply for an online scholarship with one of three renowned learning partners. The program, organized by Bertelsmann University, helps participants prepare for the future by developing their skills in Technology, Data, and Artificial Intelligence – and, for the first time, in Human-Centric Skills. Applications are open now and will be accepted until November 30, 2025.
New Focus: Human-Centric Skills
This year marks an exciting step forward in the evolution of the Scholarship Program. While previous years focused on Tech, Data, and AI, the 2026 edition expands into a new, equally essential area: Human-Centric Skills.
These include abilities such as emotional intelligence, communication, collaboration, and critical, creative, and future thinking – personal and professional strengths that are vital for teamwork, adaptability, and innovation.
“I’m really pleased that our Scholarship Program continues to give all Bertelsmann employees the opportunity to keep growing – both professionally and personally – in key areas for the future,” says Immanuel Hermreck, Bertelsmann’s Chief Human Resources Officer.
“We are further expanding the program: there are now more seats available, and with Human-Centric Skills we are introducing new and exciting areas of focus. This means even more learning opportunities tailored to our colleagues’ individual development.”
More Seats, More Opportunities
The program has grown significantly this year – giving more colleagues than ever the chance to participate.
- 1,500 scholarships with Coursera
- 250 scholarships with Harvard Online
- 400 scholarships with Udacity
Each learning provider offers a unique experience, tailored to different learning preferences:
-> Coursera offers 12 months of access to curated learning paths across Tech, Data, AI, and Human-Centric Skills – including topics like Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, and Future Thinking.
-> Udacity provides five structured, hands-on Nanodegree programs in high-demand fields such as Cybersecurity, Agentic AI, AI Product Management, Generative AI, and Data Engineering with Azure.
-> Harvard Online invites learners to explore the Data Science Principles course and gain a deeper understanding of how data drives decision-making – no coding experience required.
How to Apply
Applying for a scholarship takes less than ten minutes:
- Visit the landing page to explore all providers and details.
- Choose your preferred provider (and your Nanodegree, if you select Udacity).
- Complete the short application form and answer up to two brief motivation questions.
Applications close on November 30, 2025.
Selected applicants will be notified by mid-December, and all courses begin on January 15, 2026.
For those who would like to learn more, there will be an Info Session on October 23 at 4 p.m. (CET) – you can join via MS Teams.
Your Learning Journey Starts Here
No matter which provider you choose, each program offers a unique way to grow your skills – from hands-on projects to flexible online learning or academic excellence.
Ready to take the next step?
Apply now and secure your seat for the Bertelsmann Scholarship Program 2026!