The main program includes a 12-month leave of absence over the course of two years and is targeted at clinically active and research-active physicians from the 4th year of residency training up to 8 years after state examination. In addition to the leave of absence, the fellows receive 2,000 Euros in material resources. The fellows are accompanied by two mentors during the two-year program and are supported by a personalized continuing education program, which lays the foundation for their future clinical-scientific career. 

The prerequisite for an application is a completed doctoral thesis and at least one accepted publication.

After the first funding started in the 1990s, the program was relaunched in 2009 and further developed and expanded through continuous support of the School of Medicine.

Since the beginning of the program, approximately 150 fellows have gone through the main program, often while successfully completing their habilitation.

Fellows are selected based on an outstanding curriculum vitae, a scientifically excellent project, and a balanced gender distribution, which specifically promotes the career paths of female physicians engaged in research.

Currently, 13 fellows from a wide variety of disciplines are in the main program, with a 60% share of women.