Horizons
The program for employees' children
Family is very important at Freudenberg. In 2024, the 175th anniversary year, we therefore also want to arouse the curiosity of those family members who may still need an idea or an impulse for their career choice: the children of our employees.
Freudenberg is engaged in social projects worldwide and has already supported around 190 education and environmental initiatives as part of its e2 program since 2015. Horizons builds on this commitment, offering sustainable support that accompanies children from school through to university education.
The program consists of four components:
Studying with a tailwind.
Freudenberg’s scholarship program offers financial support to children of employees aiming to study in one of seven focus countries: Germany, the United States, India, China, Mexico, Italy, or Turkey. The program is open to applicants regardless of their country of origin. The funding may cover up to four years, depending on the country, university and individual study path.
Horizons scholarships open doors to academic education.
Process note:
The application process for the “Class of 2026” begins in July 2025 and takes place in several stages:
- Registration and application (July 15 – September 15, 2025)
- Pre-selection by local screening teams (October 2025)
- Holistic evaluation by country and global teams (November 2025)
- Notification of the Horizons Class of 2026 scholarship recipients (December 2025)
- Publication of results and preparation for the next application cycle (February – May 2026)
Note on selection criteria:
Qualified applications are reviewed by Country Representative Teams, consisting of employees, managers, and HR representatives.
Applications are primarily evaluated based on the child's individual achievements and qualifications, such as academic performance, extracurricular engagement, and the submitted video essay.
As part of the overall selection process, the parent’s position within Freudenberg is also taken into consideration: if two applicants are equally qualified, preference is given to the child of an employee in a lower-level position.
Experience work, discover Freudenberg.
An internship is a great way to get a feel for the working world. Through Horizons, young people have the opportunity to complete internships at Freudenberg – in a variety of countries and departments. Internships are organized locally and tailored to specific regional conditions. Horizons internships offer a first step into hands-on experience.
Process note:
Points of contact and application procedures differ by location and are communicated locally.
Career orientation with Horizons – practical, flexible, supportive
The Horizons program’s Job Orientation module offers young people the opportunity to gain initial insights into Freudenberg’s working world – in a structured, hands-on way tailored to their individual interests.
The offering is locally implemented and begins with preparatory materials for parents and a short questionnaire to be completed together with the child at home. This is followed by an informal application in which the young participants outline their interests and ideas for job orientation. On site, participants are introduced to various career paths, typical tasks, and required qualifications – complemented by conversations with employees and a brief “look & feel” experience. Those who wish to do so can take part in a so-called “Deep Dive” to actively try out specific tasks in a chosen area. This makes job orientation tangible and personalized.
Accompanying mentoring and additional tips round out the experience and help participants take their next steps toward the future.
Growing Together and Learning from Each Other
The "Horizons" Alumni Network will be an open platform for anyone who has participated in the program or plans to, or wishes to get involved as a mentor. It is designed for young people, young adults, and experienced internal mentors, offering a space for sharing experiences, knowledge, and support.
Our Offerings
- An interactive community platform for discussions and collaborative projects.
- Regular virtual and in-person meetings for networking and knowledge exchange.
- Mentorship programs to foster talent and support personal development.
The name describes the goal very well: children of employees of the company should be given opportunities to open up new horizons in their development through education and professional orientation.
- Dr. Mohsen Sohi, CEO of the Freudenberg Group
