Call for proposals: WIN Conferences 2027
The Heidelberg Academy of Sciences welcomes applications for the organization of interdisciplinary conferences (
) organized by early career researchers.
As the state academy of Baden-Württemberg, the Academy has been promoting outstanding Baden-Württemberg scientists and scientists in the post-doctoral phase for more than ten years through financial support and scientific advice on organizing conferences via
Junge Akademie | HAdW
.
The aim is to give young scientists the opportunity to organize international interdisciplinary scientific conferences
on their own responsibility and in complete independence. Such conferences are specifically promoted
to bring young scientists into contact with established figures in the disciplines involved
. The number of participants should be based on this model
. The conferences can be held at the academy or at another location in Baden-
Württemberg.
The Academy provides financial resources for this purpose, advises on organization, and also offers scientific advice
. In accordance with the Academy's self-image
, the conferences are intended to promote scientific dialogue across disciplinary boundaries and must therefore
have an interdisciplinary thematic focus.
Supported by
- Financial support of up to €11,000. The money can be used for material resources (e.g., travel expenses, meals, printing costs, etc.) and personnel resources (assistants for preparation and implementation). Open access publications can be funded. However, the money must be spent in full in the year in which the conference is held.
- Free use of the academy's rooms in the historic setting of Heidelberg's old town. The academy's lecture hall can accommodate up to 60 people. Smaller rooms for working groups are available. The rooms are technically equipped for hybrid events. The conference can also take place at another location in Baden-Württemberg.
- Advice on independent planning and implementation (including budget responsibility) by the staff of the Academy's administrative office.
- Support in the production of conference and promotional materials (typesetting and layout in the Academy's corporate design) and advertising.
- The possibility of operating a conference website via the academy's website.
Applications from teams of several applicants are possible. Funding is primarily provided for traditional conference formats, but applications with other formats are also possible in principle. Congresses and similar large-scale events are not eligible for funding.
All applicants must, at the time of the application deadline
- have completed their doctoral studies.
- work at a research institution in Baden-Württemberg.
- not hold a tenured professorship. Junior and tenure-track professors may apply, even after receiving a positive evaluation.
The planned conference
- must be interdisciplinary in nature, i.e., answering the question requires interdisciplinary expertise, which the planned speakers also possess.
- should be designed in such a way that it promotes dialogue between different generations of researchers (for example, by limiting the number of participants).
The application deadline is March 31, 2026. Applications may be submitted in German or English (no preference).
If you have any questions, please contact the Young Academy | HAdW representative at the Academy's office, Mr. Georg Wolff (georg.wolff@hadw-bw.de, email link).
Please send the application documents in a PDF file with the subject line "WIN Conferences 2027" to georg.wolff@hadw-bw.de (mail link).
The complete application documents include
- the cover page
- the application text, which outlines the topic to be addressed, explains why the specific question requires interdisciplinary expertise to answer, and briefly presents the content and methodological concept of the conference (max. 5 pages).
- A preliminary conference plan (max. 1 page). This does not need to contain specific names, but should list the topics to be covered and the scientific backgrounds of the proposed speakers.
- A financial plan (max. 1 page). Please break down the expected costs according to objective criteria and, where possible, disclose your calculations.
- A resume with the most important publications for each applicant (maximum 2 pages per person).
Your application will be evaluated in a peer review process. The goal is to provide feedback by the end of July 2026.
Tender text (German) (pdf):
Call for Applications (English) (pdf):
Cover sheet (German) (docx):
Cover sheet (English) (docx):