Smart Brains for Energy Transition

The Jugend forscht competition for up-and-coming researchers is designed to encourage young people to pursue a career in STEM and to foster young talent. The special award (in German only)­ is presented to developers of ideas with an explicit focus on the energy transition.

^{Insights into research and career options in the context of the energy transition}

The 40 laureates of the federal, state and regional Jugend forscht competitions came to Berlin not only to present their innovative research projects in Berlin, but also to receive information about possible careers in the context of the energy transition. For instance, they all went on a visit to the large-scale research installation BESSY II, the solar modal test field at the Helmholtz Center and the production hall at Colibry Energy dedicated to battery technology for logistics and special applications.

There was also an opportunity to engage in discussions with staff of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, members of the energy research networks and employees working for the foundation that organises Jugend forscht. “Energy research is important for the energy transition and we in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy support it on many different levels, the State Secretary explained. He went on to stress: “Companies that translate these ideas from research into practice, often in cooperation with startups, are just as important.”

The young researchers were visibly very interested in making the most of their visit to the Ministry to learn more and ask plenty of questions on issues such as hydrogen, demand for energy, long-term storage and the energy research programme. “Young people are very interested in the energy transition and climate action, which are key forward-looking issues, and this interest has long become a factor in choosing a degree and career path. In future, we will need even more young talents that do their bit to foster a sustainable and environmentally-compatible development of our society, said Dr Jessica Bönsch from Jugend forscht.

^{Germany’s best STEM talent receive awards at the finals of the federal competition of Jugend forscht in Hamburg.}

The winners at the federal level of the 60th edition of Jugend forscht were honoured by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in Hamburg in early June. The competition is a joint initiative of the federation, the German states (Länder), the scientific community, stern magazine and a large number of schools. Every year, there are more than 120 competitions across Germany – all designed to get young people up to the age of 21 excited about STEM, to foster talent and to help them kickstart their careers. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy continues to foster laureates’ interest in energy-related issues even after they have taken their awards home – for instance by organising meetings among them or with alumni.

Every year, cash and non-cash prizes worth more than €1 million are awarded by Jugend forscht, which is Germany’s biggest public-private partnership of this kind, involving more than 250 partners. More than 5,000 mentors and teachers and more than 3,000 experts from science and business are involved on a voluntary basis.

(Source: Federal Ministery for Economic Affairs and Energy)