• Expert meeting
  • Symposium

May 23, 2023, 10:00 AM - May 24, 2023, 04:00 PM

Forum "Experiment!" 2023

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Grantees of 2021 and of previous years are invited to present their results in exploring bold research ideas at the 8th "Forum Experiment!". Oral and poster contributions will showcase the outcomes of on-going and completed grants at this final forum that concludes the funding initiative.

The funding initiative "Experiment! – In Search of Bold Research Ideas" supports radically new topics and controversial approaches in the natural and life sciences as well as engineering. This year’s forum is a platform of exchange for recent "Experiment!" grantees. In 28 talks and several posters, they present preliminary results, including failures. The audience is united by a common interest in high-risk topics and an openness for unexpected findings and (un)foreseen difficulties. In the "Experiment!" initiative, failure with respect to reaching the original aim is not considered negative but a valuable learning experience for further research. Therefore, all speakers are encouraged to not only focus on project highlights but to also mention disappointments and lowlights.

Registration

The Forum is open for "Experiment!" grantees and project co-workers. Please register until April 12, 2023.

Registration

Registration

The Forum is open for "Experiment!" grantees and project co-workers. Please register until April 12, 2023.

click here for Registration

Program and Conference Topics

Sessions on Biomedical Sciences, New Therapies, Biomaterials, Modeling, Biological Sciences, and Engineering are planned. A Program will be downloadable here soon.

Background

After eight successful calls, the funding initiative "Experiment!" is now closed. The initiative was very popular with 5.051 applications in total. In the end, grants for 183 bold ideas have been supported. The Foundation piloted a partially randomized selection (i. e. additional decision by lot) from 2017 to 2021. Accompanying research has shown that such new ways of research funding are well received, and that there are good reasons for more diversity in the funding landscape and for experimentation with selection procedures.

Initiative "Experiment!"

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Do you have questions about our scientific events? Check out our FAQ!

FAQ scientific events
Where do the Volkswagen Foundation events take place?

The events take place at the Xplanatorium Herrenhausen Palace, Herrenhäuser Straße 5, 30419 Hanover. Access by public transport: Üstra lines 4 and 5, stop 'Herrenhäuser Gärten'

How do I get to the Xplanatorium Herrenhausen?
  • by public transport: tram lines 4 and 5, bus line 136: stop "Herrenhäuser Gärten" or "Schaumburgstraße".
  • by bike: There are bike racks in front of the Xplanatorium. E-bike batteries should be taken into the building and not left on the bike.
  • by car: The Xplanatorium is located within Hanover's environmental zone. Motor vehicles are only allowed to drive in the low emission zone with a green fine dust sticker. Parking spaces (with parking fee) are available at the "Great Garden".
  • by train: Hanover main station is excellently connected through many long-distance trains from all over Germany and in some cases from other European countries.
  • by plane: Please check whether a flight can be replaced by a train connection. Hanover Airport is directly connected to the S-Bahn network in the greater Hanover area. Please take the S5 towards Paderborn or Bad Pyrmont from the airport to get to the city center.
How much are the fees for participating at academic events?

There are no registration fees for participating at conferences, symposia or academic workshops.

When can I check in and get my name tag at the venue?

You can check in 60 minutes before the event begins.

Is the venue barrier-free?

The Xplanatorium Herrenhausen is barrier-free.

Are the academic events recorded or broadcast live (streaming)?

As a rule, academic events are not recorded or broadcast live (streaming) in order to enable the participants to talk about research results that have not yet been published and to obtain corresponding feedback.

I wish to attend an academic event as member of the audience. Who will cover my travel and accommodation costs and do the necessary bookings?

The participants bear the costs for travel and accommodation themselves. We ask all participants without an active part to take care of their own hotel and travel arrangements. If we provide a contingent of rooms at a specific hotel, you will find more information on the respective event pages.

I am a speaker, chair, or travel grantee at an academic event. Who will cover my travel and accommodation costs and do the necessary bookings?

Please get in touch with the respective contact person for the event. You can find the contact details on the website for the event.

Are food preferences and/or intolerances taken care of?

They are usually taken care of. Please indicate your preferences when registering for the event. Catering/Meals at Volkswagen Foundation events are all vegetarian with several vegan options.

Is there a cloakroom?

At Volkswagen Foundation events held at the Xplanatorium Herrenhausen, you are welcome to use our cloakroom free of charge.

I lost or forgot something at an event at the Xplanatorium, whom can I contact?

Please contact Schloss Herrenhausen Veranstaltungs- und Betriebs GmbH at: +49 511-763 744-0

Who can I contact if I have further questions?

If you have any questions, you can reach our hotline from Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at +59 511 8381-200