Begegnungszonen (Encounter zones)
Promotion of interdisciplinary events in the natural sciences
Interdisciplinary research needs communication and suitable networks. With our "Begegnungszonen" funding program, we support the design and implementation of interdisciplinary events for young scientists.
Promotion
Who is the funding aimed at?
The call is addressed to organizers of events such as workshops, symposia, colloquia, meetings and conferences as well as summer or winter schools in the natural sciences, which
- address interdisciplinary topics with a focus on the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics),
- actively involve doctoral students and postdocs and enable exchange with established scientists,
- last at least three days, have 30 to 150 participants,
- ideally test new (also digital/hybrid) event formats and
- take place between September 1, 2023 and November 30, 2024.
Involvement of international stakeholders is desired. Sustainability aspects in the sense of the Sustainable Development Goals are important to us. Please feel free to consider these in the design and planning of your event. Applications must come from a public research institution or a non-profit organization in Germany.
Application
Applications must come from a public research institution or a non-profit organization in Germany. Please submit all documents online.
Application documents:
- Completed application form
- Project outline, including cost plan and (preliminary) program of the event
- Scientific background of the main applicant(s) (max. 3,600 characters each, including spaces)
Apply now until May 16, 2023 by email to begegnungszonen(@)joachim-herz-stiftung(dot)de.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Begegnungszone?
It is an event grant that financially supports interdisciplinary networking among early career scientists and with experienced researchers within the natural sciences. The event format can be freely chosen and ranges from conferences, seminars and seminar series to workshops, summer schools and more.
What funding volume can be applied for?
There are no requirements regarding the minimum or maximum amount of the requested funding volume. Since events vary in size and design, the only important thing in this context is that the cost plan for the planned event is realistic and reasonable. An "overhead" cannot be taken into account. For guidance, please see the overview of previously funded events.
Which disciplines are funded?
According to our statutes, we fund the following three domains in the natural sciences: biology, chemistry and physics. Funding of neighboring disciplines such as (bio)informatics, (bio)medicine or engineering is not excluded. Further information can be found in the FAQ document.
Is a connection to the USA obligatory?
No, a funded Begegnungszone does not have to have a reference to the USA. An international focus is desired, although the international partnership can be freely chosen. National meetings in German are also funded.
Is partial funding conceivable?
Yes, in addition to full funding, Begegnungszone can also be applied for as partial funding together with one or more partners.
Contact
Sponsored events
WiNS School 2022 - Energy for (your) future
The funding was used for the implementation of the Summer School"Energy for (your) future" with the focus on "Energy production and storage". The aim was, among other things, to enable young female scientists a platform for networking across disciplinary boundaries and to attract them to a career in science. Around 30 women of 14 different nationalities and all career levels participated. All participants were working in different fields of the natural sciences: from astrophysics and biochemistry to environmental sciences and mechanical engineering.
"Thanks to funding from the Joachim Herz Foundation, we were able to put this event out to tender across Europe. Now, due to the exceptionally great success, we are immediately planning a continuation next year," says Dr. Petra Metz (HU Berlin), one of the organizers of the Summer School.
Here you will find an overview of the events that have been funded so far.