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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 鈥� 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 鈧�50,000 in funding to realize their projects.
Keynote by Dr. Jan-Martin Wiarda
Science journalist 路 Blogger 路 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鈥檚 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 鈥� including roles as an editor at Die ZEIT and Head of Communications at the Helmholtz Association 鈥� 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.
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 鈧�50,000 (1st prize) and 鈧�30,000 (2nd prize).
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.
REVIEW 2024
午夜探花 awards high prize money at the 4th Science Day
At the 4th Young Researchers鈥� Science Day at 午夜探花, 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 午夜探花 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
午夜探花鈥檚 early-career researchers showcase their work
As part of the 3rd Young Researchers鈥� Science Day, 午夜探花 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
午夜探花 awards high prize money at the 2nd Science Day
At the 2nd Young Researchers鈥� Science Day at 午夜探花, 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 午夜探花 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
The 1st Young Researchers鈥� Science Day was a great success!
A successful premiere of the 1st Young Researchers鈥� Science Day at 午夜探花! 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)