The »Stiftung für Technologie, Innovation und Forschung Thüringen (STIFT)« handed the partnership over after having held it for 17 years in order to be able to focus on organising the »Jugend forscht« state competition (together with JENOPTIK AG) and supporting Thuringian competition regions in the future.

The handover took place between Dr. Sven Günther, Exectutive Director of STIFT, Prof. Dr. Jutta Emes, President (interim) of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Chem. Andrea Osburg, Vice President of Research, Art and Young Academics at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Carsten Könke, Scientific Director of the »Materialforschungs- und Prüfanstalt (MFPA) Weimar« at 3:30 pm in the university’s Main Building.

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and MFPA Weimar will be jointly organising all regional »Jugend forscht« competitions in central Thuringia. In addition to financing and organising the events, they are also responsible for arranging a supporting programme. This will allow both institutions to offer participants insight into their own research.

By doing this, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and the MFPA hope to increase the attractiveness of their degree and training programmes in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and to network more closely with schools, students and teachers in the region.

The next regional »Jugend forscht Mittelthüringen« competition is scheduled to take place on 22 February 2023 and will be hosted by the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The application period closes on Wednesday, 30 November 2022. Those interested can apply via the »Jugend forscht« website: https://anmeldung.jugend-forscht.de.

»Jugend forscht« is Germany’s most well-known competition for young scientists. »Jugend forscht« encourages and supports talented achievers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Nine out of ten competition winners go on to study a STEM-related subject. Many go on to work as scientists at universities, research institutions or in companies.

»Jugend forscht« is sponsored by the federal and state governments, »Stern« and the »Netzwerk Schule, Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft«. The Federal Minister of Education and Research is the chair of the »Stiftung Jugend forscht e. V.« Board of Trustees; the patron of the competition is the Federal President.

Each year, 120 competitions take place across the country, seven of which take place as regional and state competitions in Thuringia.

The »Stiftung für Technologie, Innovation und Forschung Thüringen (STIFT)« is the co-organiser of the » Jugend forscht« Thuringian state competition and the founder of the »Jungforscher Thüringen« initiative. The goal is to foster an early interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to promote talent through special opportunities and the strengthen STEM education from kindergarten through elementary schools to specialised instruction in secondary schools. STIFT works together with regional partners to carry out its numerous projects.