At the Science Day, early-career researchers and the topic of science communication take center stage. Early-career scientists present their innovative research ideas in concise pitches to a broad audience – fostering interdisciplinary exchange within the university.
Program:
Science Slam
Selected early-career researchers compete in a science-slam-style format, pitching their project ideas. The best presentations can receive up to €50,000 in funding to realize their projects.
Keynote by Dr. Jan-Martin Wiarda
Science journalist · Blogger · Expert on education and higher education policy
We are delighted to welcome the renowned science journalist and blogger Dr. Jan-Martin Wiarda to this year’s Science Day. With his widely read Wiarda Blog, he has been shaping debates on education and science policy in Germany for years. His extensive experience – including roles as an editor at Die ZEIT and Head of Communications at the Helmholtz Association – makes him one of the most influential voices in the German education and science landscape.
Get-together
The program will conclude with an informal networking session.
Registration:
For planning purposes, please register via the Ulm University training portal.
Click here to register for the event.
(Note: The link leads to the training portal of the provider aktivKONZEPTE).
Or send us an e-mail to protrainu(at)uni-ulm.de.
Participation & Application for 2026
Your chance at the next Science Day!
Submit your project idea and take the opportunity to participate in a professional pitch training. Selected early-career researchers will then present their projects to the university community at the next Science Day.
The two best project ideas will be awarded by the Board of ProTrainU with €50,000 (1st prize) and €30,000 (2nd prize).
| July 2025 | Next call for proposals |
| By August 01, 2025 | Submit expression of interest |
| August 20, 2025 | Application deadline |
| October 2025 | Selection of the applicants who will pitch at Science Day 2025 |
| October 13, 2025 | Pitch training (2 to 5 p.m.) by Entrepreneurs Campus |
| October 17, 2025 | Rehearsal (2 to 5 p.m.) |
| October 22, 2025 | Presentation of the pitches at Young Researchers' Science Day (4 to 6 p.m.) |
| January 01, 2026 | Start of funding |
| July 2026 | Next call for proposals |
This table is intended to serve as a general guideline for your personal scheduling. However, minor short-term changes may still occur.
Downloads & Links
The updated funding directive and application template for the next call for proposals will be available in July 2026.
Information on data protection according to German law (Art. 13 DSGVO) - German only
At the 4th Young Researchers’ Science Day at Ulm University, a total of €80,000 in prize money was awarded to early-career researchers.
The first prize of €50,000 in the pitch competition was awarded to clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Hitzler. The second prize of €30,000 went to medical researcher Dr. Sarah Schröder. The other three finalists each received a mobility voucher worth €1,800.
The following video features the guest lecture by superhero scientist and science communicator Barry W. Fitzgerald on the topic “Science Communication Lessons with Iron Man and Santa Claus.”
President of Ulm University Prof. Michael Weber (right) with f.l.t.r.:
Dr. Andreas Obermeier, Ann-Kathrin Kissmann, Dr. Melissa Hitzler, Dr. Robin Lochbaum and Dr. Sarah Schröder
(photo: Elvira Eberhardt / Uni Ulm)
As part of the 3rd Young Researchers’ Science Day, Ulm University celebrated its early-career researchers. The highlight of the event was the Science Slam, where six young researchers competed against each other. The winners, Dr. Maximilian Förster and Luisa de Roy, shared a total prize of €80,000.
Communication expert Antje Diller-Wolff gave a lecture on handling media interactions with confidence. The following video is available via the university’s internal network.
f.l.t.r.
Luisa de Roy, Dr. Dominik Melville, Novitasari Sinambela, Dr. Maximilian Förster, Marco Mannes, Prof. Dieter Rautenbach, Dr. Magdalena Meyer, Antje Diller-Wolff, Dr. Cornelia Estner, Clarissa Gobiet, Pia Beyer-Wunsch
(photo: Elvira Eberhardt / Uni Ulm)
At the 2nd Young Researchers’ Science Day at Ulm University, a total of €80,000 in prize money was once again awarded to early-career researchers.
The first prize of €50,000 in the pitch competition went to social psychologist and psychotherapist Dr. Michael Barthelmäs. The second price of €30,000 was awarded to biochemist Dr. Matthias Mack. The other four finalists each received a mobility voucher worth €1,500.
The Young Researchers’ Science Day has already become very well established.
The following video features a lecture by Dr. Eleni Vomhof on “Anwendungsfelder der Wissenschaftskommunikation in der Wirtschaft”. As a graduate in biophysics from Ulm University and a Technical Marketing Specialist at WITec in Ulm, she explains the significant role science communication plays in her daily work.
f.l.t.r.
Clarissa Gobiet, Dr. Cornelia Estner, Dr. Matthias Mack,
Dr. Subrata Mandal, Dr. Michael Barthelmäs, Dr. Eileen Bendig,
Dr. Michael Schön, Pia Beyer-Wunsch, Dr. Brecht Donvil,
Prof. Dieter Rautenbach
(photo: Elvira Eberhardt / Uni Ulm)
A successful premiere of the 1st Young Researchers’ Science Day at Ulm University! The innovative pitch format was very well received by all participants and the audience, making it clear that the Young Researchers’ Science Day will be held again in 2022.
The following video features a lecture by Dr. Patrick Honecker on “Wissenschaft und Kommunikation”. (Note: Due to technical issues during the presentation, the video has been edited)
f.l.t.r.
Pia Beyer-Wunsch, Clarissa Gobiet, Prof. Dieter Rautenbach,
Dr. Silke Werle, Dr. Michael Melzer, Dr. Flora Scheffenbichler,
Dr. Jens Friedland, Rida Rehman, Prof. Michael Weber,
Dr. Cornelia Estner
(photo: Carola Gietzen Fotodesign / Uni Ulm)
