Support for scientists in early career phases

The university is setting up the "Oldenburg Young Academy (OYA)", a cross-university academy for top talents in the postdoctoral phase and for junior professorships. The aim is to identify excellent academics in early career phases, make them more visible and promote interdisciplinary networking.
The OYA brings together top talents to discuss current issues in scientific practice and how they relate to society. They develop positions and solutions to the current challenges of scientific work and social change. The OYA can thus also act as an advisory body, e.g. for the university and city management level of the city of Oldenburg.

The University is developing an Honours Programme for particularly committed and talented Master’s students from all disciplines who demonstrate a special interest in research, academia and interdisciplinary work, with the aim of recognising the achievements of the participants. The aim is to inspire students to pursue an academic career and/or prepare them for positions of responsibility in our society. Even whilst studying for their Master’s degree, students are to gain in-depth insights into academic work and research processes, thereby receiving targeted support.

This webpage contains general information about the programme, an introduction to the first class and insights into the specific plans for the first year. The pathways into the Honours Programme are also outlined here: Link to the website

The ‘International Conference of Undergraduate Research’ (ICUR) network comprises up to thirteen universities, including the University of Oldenburg, which aim to work together to support their students in their research during their undergraduate studies. The aim of the network is to organise an annual hybrid interdisciplinary conference for Bachelor’s students, bringing together students from all over the world. The conference has been taking place simultaneously at all participating universities for more than 10 years, without students having to travel in person. In addition to the students’ presentations and posters, a joint social programme rounds off the event.

The university has joined the network and now organises an annual local event in Oldenburg. A first pilot event took place in 2025 (see www.uol.de/icur). In the coming years, students from the University of Groningen (RUG) will also be invited to attend the conference in person, supported by a travel grant.

The travel grant scheme for students, which emerged successfully from the ‘forschen@studium’ programme, is to be continued and expanded under the Programme for Excellence; consequently, the University of Oldenburg now funds not only (inter)national conference travel but also research trips undertaken by students. This supports students in becoming actively involved in research themselves, gaining experience in academia and presenting their own findings. It gives students the opportunity to gain an insight into academic careers, gain experience at a national and international level, and build networks at an early stage.