The newly admitted cohort of the Software Campus met for the first time in Berlin on the 7th of July, 2025. We were hosted by the Einstein Center Digital Future for the half-day event, followed by an evening event.
As every year, it was important to us to warmly welcome and offer our latest participants, around 30 people, the best possible start into the program with the kick-off. Since the micro-research projects—that each participant carries out alongside a company, the so-called industry partners from the program—are a main element, initially, the focus was to give a general organizational introduction. Our participants receive each up to €115,000 in funding per person from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR, former BMBF). To apply for the initial funding, each participant must prepare a project description, so-called “Vorhabensbeschreibung.” Next to the motivation and description of the scientific and technical goals of the research project, it must also include a work plan covering financial and personnel planning. The DLR Project Management Agency, which supports the micro-projects in terms of content and administration on behalf of the BMFTR, provided an explanation of the initial steps for applying for and releasing funds, along with detailed examples.
Afterward, our participants—who are doing their PhDs throughout Germany—had the opportunity to get to know each other, network, and be creative in small groups during a promptathon. There, they had to create an AI-generated video and show how the superpower of each project could contribute to a better world.
The application for funding will now be prepared by autumn, allowing it to be approved by the end of the year. Projects will begin at the start of 2026.
