Registration for the Science Day:
To enable us to take your participation into account for planning purposes (seating, drinks and snacks), please register via the Ulm University training portal.
You can register here.
(Notes: The link leads to the training portal of the provider aktivKONZEPTE).
Alternatively, please send us an e-mail to protrainu(at)uni-ulm.de.
Young Researchers' Science Day 2025
22 October 2025, 4:30 to 6:00 pm
Venue: Multimedia Room N27
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.
Programme:
Science Slam
Selected young scientists compete against each other in the style of a science slam, pitch their project ideas and can receive funding of up to €50,000 to realise their projects.
Keynote speech by Dr Jan-Martin Wiarda
Science journalist - blogger - expert for education and higher education policy
We are very much looking forward to welcoming the prestigious science journalist and blogger Dr Jan-Martin Wiarda. With his widely read Wiarda Blog, he has been following developments in education and science policy for years. His many years of experience - including as an editor at ZEIT and Head of Communications at the Helmholtz Association - make him one of the most prominent voices in the German education and science landscape.
Get-together
Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to socialise and network.
Exclusive meeting with Dr Jan-Martin Wiarda
In a small group of a maximum of 15 participants, this exclusive meeting offers the opportunity to talk to Dr Jan-Martin Wiarda. The political scientist, economist, author and science journalist will provide insights into his work at the intersection of science, politics and education.
From 18:15 to 19:30, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics from his work. The workshop is aimed at doctoral students and postdocs as well as anyone interested in current developments in the scientific and educational system and the role of politics and society.
Date: Wed, 22 October 2025
Time: 18:15-19:30
Location: Glaskasten in N27
Speaker: Dr Jan-Martin Wiarda; journalist, moderator, questioner
You can register here.
Further information about Dr Jan-Martin Wiarda:
Participation & application for 2026
Your chance at the next Science Day!
Submit your project idea and secure the opportunity to take part in professional pitch training. The selected young scientists will then present their projects to the university public.
The best two project ideas will be honoured by the board of the Young Scientists Academy and awarded €50,000 (1st place) or €30,000 (2nd place).
Time table
| 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
REVIEW 2024
Ulm University awards high prize money at the 4th Science Day
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)
REVIEW 2023
Ulm University’s early-career researchers showcase their work
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)
REVIEW 2022
Ulm University awards high prize money at the 2nd Science Day
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)
REVIEW 2021
The 1st Young Researchers’ Science Day was a great success!
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)