Young Researchers' Science Day
The Young Researchers鈥� Science Day provides selected early-career researchers from all faculties with the opportunity to present their research ideas and to further develop their skills in science communication.
Project funding under the Young Researchers鈥� Science Day scheme is designed to support outstanding early-career researchers of Ulm University. Its aim is to foster scientific independence, the development of an independent academic profile, and the advancement of innovative project ideas.
How can you take advantage of this opportunity?
First, submit your project idea in response to the call for proposals. A selected group of early-career researchers will be invited to present their project ideas at the Young Researchers鈥� Science Day. To help them prepare, those selected will be offered professional pitch training.
Based on the submitted documents and the presentation of the research project on Young Researchers鈥� Science Day, the two best project ideas will be awarded by the ProTrainU Executive Board and will receive the following funding amounts:
1st place: EUR 50,000
2nd place: EUR 30,000
Funding period: 24 months
The funding may be used for materials, equipment, and student assistants. Please refer to the applications guidelines for details on how exactly the funds may be used.
Who can apply?
Postdoctoral researchers from all faculties of Ulm University are eligible to apply prior to submitting their habilitation thesis. Members of the Medical Faculty should please observe the details in the call for applications guidelines.
Further information on the eligibility criteria, the assessment criteria and the selection process can be found in the call for proposals.
FAQs
Here you will find frequently asked questions.
Information Session on the Application Process
Would you like to submit an application but still have questions about the program or the application process?
Then we invite you to join our online information session.
During the session, you will receive a brief overview of the funding program as well as practical tips on how to apply. You will also have the opportunity to ask your questions directly.
Dates
鈥� July 22 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | German
鈥� July 23 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. | English
Both sessions cover the same content and differ only in the language of the event.
Time table
| July 2026 | Next call for proposals |
| July 22/23 | Information Session |
| August 19, 2026 | Application deadline |
| October 2026 | Selection of the applicants who will pitch at Science Day 2026 |
| October 13, 2026 | Pitch training (2 to 5 p.m.) by Entrepreneurs Campus |
| October 16, 2026 | Rehearsal (2 to 5 p.m.) |
| October 21, 2025 | Presentation of the pitches at Young Researchers' Science Day (4 to 6 p.m.) |
| January 01, 2027 | Start of funding |
This table is intended to serve as a general guideline for your personal scheduling. However, minor short-term changes may still occur.
REVIEW 2025
At Science Day 2025 at Ulm University, the event was about more than a pitch competition: Dr. Julia T茅oule (endometriosis research) and Dr. Christine Schillings (body awareness under stress) were honored for their projects, while guest speaker Dr. Jan-Martin Wiarda sent a strong signal in support of science communication and academic freedom. Further background information on the event can be found in the press release.
f.l.t.r.:
Prof. Dieter Rautenbach, Dr. Julia T茅oule, Dr. Christine Schillings, Dr. Lina Braun, Dr. Miray Fidan Assfalg, Gabriela Flores Rangel und Dr. Johannes Ziegler
(Foto: Elvira Eberhardt / Uni Ulm)
Keynote speech by Dr Jan-Martin Wiarda
Science journalist - blogger - expert for education and higher education policy
We were delighted to welcome the renowned science journalist and blogger Dr. Jan-Martin Wiarda. With his widely read Wiarda Blog, he has been covering developments in education and science policy for years. His extensive experience 鈥� including as an editor at Die Zeit and head of communications for the Helmholtz Association 鈥� makes him one of the most prominent voices in the German education and science landscape.
REVIEW 2024
At the 4th Young Researchers鈥� Science Day at Ulm University, a total of 鈧�80,000 in prize money was awarded to early-career researchers.
The first prize of 鈧�50,000 in the pitch competition was awarded to clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Hitzler. The second prize of 鈧�30,000 went to medical researcher Dr. Sarah Schr枚der. The other three finalists each received a mobility voucher worth 鈧�1,800.
The following video features the guest lecture by superhero scientist and science communicator on the topic 鈥淪cience Communication Lessons with Iron Man and Santa Claus.鈥�
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 Schr枚der
(photo: Elvira Eberhardt / Uni Ulm)
REVIEW 2023
As part of the 3rd Young Researchers鈥� 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 F枚rster and Luisa de Roy, shared a total prize of 鈧�80,000.
Communication expert Antje Diller-Wolff gave a lecture on handling media interactions with confidence. The following video is available via the university鈥檚 internal network.
f.l.t.r.
Luisa de Roy, Dr. Dominik Melville, Novitasari Sinambela, Dr. Maximilian F枚rster, 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
At the 2nd Young Researchers鈥� Science Day at Ulm University, a total of 鈧�80,000 in prize money was once again awarded to early-career researchers.
The first prize of 鈧�50,000 in the pitch competition went to social psychologist and psychotherapist Dr. Michael Barthelm盲s. The second price of 鈧�30,000 was awarded to biochemist Dr. Matthias Mack. The other four finalists each received a mobility voucher worth 鈧�1,500.
The Young Researchers鈥� Science Day has already become very well established.
The following video features a lecture by Dr. Eleni Vomhof on 鈥淎nwendungsfelder der Wissenschaftskommunikation in der Wirtschaft鈥�. 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 Barthelm盲s, Dr. Eileen Bendig,
Dr. Michael Sch枚n, Pia Beyer-Wunsch, Dr. Brecht Donvil,
Prof. Dieter Rautenbach
(photo: Elvira Eberhardt / Uni Ulm)
REVIEW 2021
A successful premiere of the 1st Young Researchers鈥� 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鈥� Science Day will be held again in 2022.
The following video features a lecture by Dr. Patrick Honecker on 鈥淲issenschaft und Kommunikation鈥�. (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)