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Dear reader,
This newsletter marks an innovation in more ways than one. Not only have we fundamentally updated our newsletter design and content, but we have also chosen innovation as the first of our new monthly spotlight topics. We did not make this choice randomly – all changes are based on what you, our readers, named as their preferences in a December 2022 survey. Thank you once again to all participants.
Participation is also built into the new concept: in the final section “Your turn!”, you can vote on questions relevant to the newsletter or to research in Germany in general. We are curious how you like this issue – and hope you enjoy reading!
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 SPOTLIGHT
Wherever you see this tag, the post connects to our monthly spotlight topic.
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Current calls
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Apply by: 1 September 2023, 1,300+ €/month, 3 years
PhD: all disciplines
Doctoral scholarships by the Heinrich Böll Foundation
Go to Heinrich Böll Foundation
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Apply by: 1 September 2023, accommodation & ticket expenses, 6–10 November 2023
Media representatives & journalists: all disciplines
Falling Walls Science Summit Journalist Fellowship
Go to Falling Walls Foundation
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A spotlight on: innovation
© iStock/Teamjackson
Since 2019, the German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, SPRIND, brings together radical thinkers from science and business. Its goal: promoting groundbreaking innovations from Germany that make all our lives sustainably better – from new systems for water purification to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
SPRIND is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as well as the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and supports innovators both financially and structurally. One of the agency’s most important instruments are its SPRIND Challenges, innovation contests in which teams can receive funding of up to 3 million euros. The currently open challenge – deadline for applications is 17 September – focuses on circular biomanufacturing. Check out SPRIND’s website for more information, interviews with inspiring minds and insights into the agency’s exciting work.
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A closer look: work in Germany
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© iStock/gorodenkoff
The podcast startuprad.io reports on important developments in the German-speaking start-up world. You can listen to interviews with politicians and entrepreneurs or tune in to the monthly start-up news. Find out in this episode how Munich became one of the fastest-growing start-up hubs in Europe and a global centre for deep tech.
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© iStock/monkeybusinessimages
What does the “party evening” have to do with a working day? The Instagram account “Meet the Germans” by the international broadcaster Deutsche Welle explains this and many other quirky phenomena of German (work) culture – entertaining, informative and authentic.
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The bigger picture: life in Germany
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© iStock/Halfpoint
Voluntary work means taking responsibility for our society and is crucial for a strong democracy. But how many Germans actually do volunteer regularly? And which fields are the most popular for volunteering? Here are some facts and figures about the Germans’ commitment to society – for your information as well as inspiration.
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© iStock/Christian Ader
49 euros for all local public transport: since May 2023, you can travel all over Germany with one monthly ticket. While you might not always be the fastest (express trains are exempt), using the subscription-based Deutschland-Ticket is an excellent way to explore the country – from the North Sea to the Alps.
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In case you missed it
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… a new method of reading! A recycling system for textiles! A carbon capture system for ships! These are just three of this year’s gold winners of the German Innovation Award, which honours cutting-edge innovation in areas as diverse as gardening and aviation. The awards are organised by the German Design Council and have been presented since 1953.
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re:publica Berlin is the largest festival for the digital society in Europe. This year, it was all about CASH. The sessions held by international researchers, entrepreneurs, politicians, artists and journalists are now collected on the re:publica YouTube channel; many of them are available in English. Topics range from generative AI to the power of technology in Iran’s revolution and the costs of climate change – dive in and enjoy!
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Wouldn’t it be exciting to see what has become of former participants of a space innovation contest? This was the idea of this year’s INNOspace Masters Highlight Conference: after seven competition rounds, the German Space Agency (DLR) and its partners selected the best project developments of INNOspace alumni, focusing on space technologies and their cross-industrial transfer. No worries though: competition round no. 8 is to come.
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Upcoming events
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SPOTLIGHT
19. – 20.08.
AUG 2023 · HANNOVER / GERMANY
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23.08.
AUG 2023 · ONLINE
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13. – 15.09.
SEPT 2023 · BERLIN / GERMANY
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Your turn!
Which of our new content categories do you like best?
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Let's stay in touch
Get updates about research career options and funding opportunities in Germany, the latest research news, interesting research projects and upcoming events.
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