Nils Torben Schäfer from the WESys research group (Wind Energy Systems) is one of twelve students accepted into the pilot cohort of the University of Oldenburg’s new Honours Programme. The programme supports particularly committed Master’s students with above-average academic performance – and specifically prepares them for a career in academia. Dr Vlaho Petrović from the WESys group and ForWind is responsible for the academic supervision of Nils Torben Schäfer.

Participants benefit from individual support, workshops on research skills and academic communication, as well as exclusive networking opportunities both within and outside the university. A highlight of the pilot cohort is participation in the ‘Posters in the Bundestag’ exhibition in June, where students from across Germany present their research.

The programme is being implemented as part of the “Programme for Excellence”, funded by “zukunft.niedersachsen” – a joint research funding programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation. From April 2027, 30 places will be available on a regular basis; applications will be accepted from early 2027.