German university offering grants to people who want to do absolutely nothing

A German university is giving out scholarships in “idleness” to people who want to do as little as possible.

Researchers at the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg are searching for people to take part in a project examining laziness and lack of ambition.

Three €1,600 (£1,450) scholarships will go to applicants who successfully convince academics they will do absolutely nothing in a particularly interesting way.

The application form asks potential idlers “what do you not want to do?” and “why is it important not to do this thing in particular?”

Professor Friedrich von Borries, who designed the project, believes laziness should be studied more closely to help bring about an “eco-social” transformation. “It is about exiting the constant success spiral, getting off life’s hamster wheel,” he said.

Applicants from across Germany are invited to submit their pitches on their plans for “active inactivity” before the September 15 deadline.

“If we want to live in a society that consumes less energy, wastes fewer resources, this is not the right system of values,” Professor von Borries told Germany’s Deutsche Welle broadcaster.

“Wouldn’t it be nicer to gain social prestige by saying, ‘I have time to dream… meet friends, put up my feet – I have time to do nothing?’”

However, some Germans have been sceptical of the project. Professor von Borries said Germany’s Taxpayers’ Association have questioned the idea and demanded to know who is financing the experiment.

The project is of a planned exhibition called School of Inconsequentiality: Towards A Better Life planned at the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg next year.