On November 23, four members of the DoV met with the Rhineland-Palatinate State Secretary for Science and Health, Denis Alt (SPD), and his team at the Ministry's premises in Mainz. The main purpose of the meeting was to provide information about our work almost two years after the introduction of the DoV and to discuss our needs and goals. Topics included the Act on Fixed-Term Employment Contracts in Academia, the financial situation of doctoral candidates (particularly with regard to scholarships and the underfunding of state positions), the Deutschlandticket and the specific situation for doctoral candidates at Mainz University. We found the discussion very enriching and are pleased with the interest with which the state representatives met us.