A spotlight on marine science | Current calls & upcoming events | German Marine Research Alliance, small and medium enterprises in Germany & more ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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Newsletter June 2025

Dear reader,  
 
On June 8, people all over the planet celebrate World Ocean Day. While the ocean is the biggest ecosystem on Earth and central to the balance of the planet, only a very small part of it has been explored. Marine science is not only vitally important to understand and protect this system but also to harness the great potential for innovation and technological advances that lie in the depths of the sea – from medical discoveries to sustainable food and energy sources to climate regulation.  
 
Germany plays a pivotal role in global marine science, contributing through cutting-edge research institutions, international collaborations and active participation in global initiatives like the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The country’s new government has confirmed its commitment to marine science and sustainability research in its coalition agreement, with the new Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) in charge. In this newsletter issue, we present important players, resources and research news from marine science in Germany. Happy reading – and happy Ocean Day!
Wherever you see this tag, the post connects to our monthly spotlight topic.

Current calls

Apply by: 15 June 2025 
PhD: all disciplines, thematic focus on environmental research

Doctoral Scholarships from the German Federal Environmental Foundation

Go to German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) (application in German)
Apply by: 15 June 2025  
PhD & Postdoc: all disciplines

Top-Talents-Track

Go to Young Entrepreneurs in Science (YES)
Apply by: 15 June 2025 
PhD & Postdoc: all disciplines, thematic focus on green hydrogen research

2025 DAAD Green Hydrogen Research Tour

Go to German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Apply by: 30 June 2025 
PhD: humanities, social sciences, economics, law

Ph.D. Scholarship Program “Uncertainty”

Go to ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS
Apply by: 15 July 2025 
PhD: all disciplines

Scholarships for PhDs and research fellowships

Go to Hanns Seidel Foundation (partially in German)
Apply by: 28 August 2025 
PhD, Postdoc & Advanced research: all disciplines

ERC Advanced Grants

Go to European Research Council
Apply by: 31 August 2025 
PhD & Postdoc: all disciplines with focus on climate change and extreme weather events

Allianz Climate Risk Award

Go to Allianz SE
Apply by: various deadlines 
PhD & Postdoc: all disciplines

Falling Walls Labs 2025

Go to Falling Walls Foundation

A spotlight on: marine science

© Shaun Wolfe/Ocean Image Bank
WEBSITE
Together for a sustainable use of the oceans: the German Marine Research Alliance 
 
Germany occupies a leading international position in marine research. Its research landscape is characterised by a broad spectrum, ranging from basic to solution-oriented science. The German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) brings together Germany’s leading institutions in marine science and is one of the largest marine research alliances in the world.  
 
The current research activities of the DAM focus on a mission-oriented approach that involves actors from politics, industry and civil society to support science-based decision-making for the protection and sustainable use of coasts, seas and oceans. To keep up with the latest developments in German marine research, the website offers a regularly updated news section and links to key marine science resources – an excellent starting point for anyone passionate about marine research and the oceans.
Marine science through the research lens of our featured partners 
 
Dresden University of Technology 
En route to Antarctica on board the Polarstern: TUD geoscientists research in the frozen South 
 
Dresden University of Technology 
The budget is closed: the individual contributors to global sea-level rise match up 
 
Forschungscampus Mittelhessen 
Seabird research at JLU 
 
Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg 
Carry out your marine research at one of the global meccas of ocean science – funding included!
Find out more about these articles and dive into groundbreaking research from our featured partners across Germany.

A closer look: work in Germany

© Emanuel Wenzlaff, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
VIDEO

Exploring the deep sea with GEOMAR

Have you ever wondered what actually happens on a deep-sea expedition? This video follows an international group of 22 scientists led by GEOMAR – the world-renowned Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel – on an expedition into the North Atlantic. The passion of the scientists aboard the German research vessel is evident and contagious. Speaking of passionate scientists: GEOMAR’s GAME programme offers up to 20 enthusiastic students each year the possibility to take part in large outdoor marine experiments. Find out more on their website!
© iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages
ARTICLE

Small and medium-sized enterprises: a very German phenomenon

The German “Mittelstand” – meaning small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs – is often called the backbone of the German economy. SMEs make up more than 99% of German companies and provide more than half of all jobs. There are also many so-called “hidden champions” among them – innovative world market leaders in industries that the public is rarely aware of. Dive into the heart of the German economy with this article!

The bigger picture: life in Germany

© iStock/Sonja Filitz
ARTICLE

For the love of the ocean: Germany's islands

Greece may be unbeatable when it comes to islands, but Germany doesn’t have to hide either: around 80 islands dot its coastline on two seas. All of them have their very own charm, from the tidal islands in the North Sea’s Wadden Sea to the large Baltic Sea island of Rügen and its neighbours. Germany’s islands are popular with tourists for their sandy beaches, wild nature and fascinating history – make sure to visit on your next trip!

In case you missed it

Learn German with the Kurz und leicht news videos

German news service Deutsche Welle (DW) offers the latest daily news from around the world in easy-to-follow videos that train your listening comprehension. The full text with a glossary is available to read along and download as a PDF. There are new videos from Monday to Friday. Stay informed – and improve your German at the same time!

Germany’s central hub for marine research data: the Marine Data Portal

The Marine Data Portal provides free access to important marine research data for scientists, government agencies, industry and the public. Targeting the German research community as well as international partners, the platform fosters collaboration and innovation worldwide. From centralised data access to an overview of the expeditions of German research vessels to cutting-edge visualisation tools – this website is essential for everyone involved in marine science.

Upcoming events

24.06. 

JUNE 2025 · ONLINE

DAAD Climate Lecture Series 2025: Translating innovations to startups in the water sector – challenges and opportunities

27.06. 

JUNE 2025 · ONLINE

DFG Info Talk: DFG Funding Opportunities for Research Careers 

(in German)

09.07. 

JUL 2025 · ONLINE

Meet Your Future You – Working and living in Berlin

23.09. 

SEPT 2025 · BERLIN / GERMANY

German Ocean Festival

Your turn!

If you are working in marine science – what motivated you most to pursue a career in this field?
Environmental impact
Field work
Global collaboration

Last month’s results: 
What attracts you most to a PhD in Germany?

There are many good reasons to consider doing your PhD in Germany. When we asked you last month what would attract you most to a German doctorate, not surprisingly, strong research ranked in first place with 38%. More surprising: the appeal of German pretzels was as strong as the absence of tuition fees, both at 25%, followed by international teams at 13%. German cuisine – as good a reason as any!

Let’s stay in touch

Get updates about research career options and funding opportunities in Germany, the latest research news, interesting research projects and upcoming events.
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