External Calls for Proposal

As part of its Future Mission Education initiative, the Stifterverband is seeking innovative contributions to the further development of STEM higher education. To this end, the following two application opportunities, among others, have been announced:

MINTchallenge plus

The Stifterverband and the Dr. Friedrich Jungheinrich Foundation promote innovative technical degree programs in the STEM field—for example, in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, process engineering, or related disciplines—that enable successful study paths with individual learning paths through flexible study structures and effective talent identification. The search is on for study programs that continuously support and motivate young people, training them to become skilled professionals for the rapidly changing job market.

Five degree programs or teaching concepts will be selected and each will receive 5,000 euros. The formats must already be implemented and established, their success must be proven, and ideally they must also be transferable. The funds will be used to create a video documentation of best practices.

The call for applications is aimed at faculties, program directors, and university initiatives that want to further develop or evaluate STEM teaching programs.

The application deadline is February 6, 2026.

Further information is available here: MINTchallenge plus | StifterverbandExternal link

FutureMINT Thinkathon

A FutureMINT Thinkathon focuses on students' perspectives and experiences in order to develop innovative solutions to challenges in STEM degree programs (e.g., increasing attractiveness, improving academic success). The Thinkathon takes up this challenge and seeks new approaches to curricula, interdisciplinarity, practical relevance, and future-oriented learning and study environments. The best concepts will later be presented at a conference and can be implemented in partnership with universities.

From March 26 to 28, 2026, the Stifterverband is inviting around 50 students from all over Germany to work together on solutions. Students from all semesters who are enrolled at a German university are eligible to participate. Particular emphasis is placed on a diverse student body; the participation of young women and international students in STEM subjects is expressly welcomed.

The application deadline is February 6, 2026.

Further information is available here: https://www.stifterverband.org/future-mint-programmExternal link

Previous tenders were as follows:

• Network Focus 2026 – Strengthening networks as drivers of innovation
• The world is my campus
• 'Freiraum 2026' - Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching
• 'Lehrarchitektur.' Shaping the university of the future
• 'Freiraum 2025' – Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching
• 'Freiraum 2023' – Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching
• 'Fokus Portale/Fokus Netzwerke' – Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching
• 'Freiraum 2022' – Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching
• Empowering University Teaching through Digitalisation

Previous tenders were as follows:

• eTeach free spaces in the eTeaching Network Thuringia
• Cooperative impulse projects in the eTeach network Thuringia 2024
• Cooperative impulse projects in the eTeach network Thuringia 2023
• Cooperative impulse projects in the eTeach network Thuringia 2022

Previous tenders in this area were as follows:

• Ars legendi prize for excellent university teaching 2025
• Ars legendi prize for excellent university teaching 2024
• Ars legendi prize for excellent university teaching 2023
• Ars legendi Faculty prize in Medicine
• Ars legendi Faculty prize in Mathematics and Natural science

Previous tenders in this area were as follows:

• Fellowships for Innovations in digital University Teaching 2025/26
• Fellowships for Innovations in digital University Teaching 2024/25
• Fellowships for Innovations in digital University Teaching 2023/24
• Fellowships for Innovations in digital University Teaching 2022/23
• Fellowships for Innovations in digital University Teaching 2021/22

Previous tenders in this area were as follows:

• MINTchallenge: expertise in sustainable development
• SMART qualifies 2022: MINT for digital world
• SMART qualifies: MINTplus - plusMINT

Previous tenders were as follows:

• Digital Education Area - FMER announcement on the development of a digital education platform
• Promotion of artificial intelligence in higher education (federal-state initiative)

Previous tenders were as follows:

• German Employer Award for Education 2025
• Futureversities: Strengthening universities as drivers of social transformation
• Data Literacy Learning Steps (Stifterverband)
• AI-Campus searches Teaching Fellows 
• Employer award for education 2022
• Room laboratories - Stifterverband and Dieter Schwarz Stiftung (Stifterverband)
• DigitalChangeMaker Fellowships (Stifterverband)
• 'Kolleg Didaktik:digital': Junior Fellwoships of the Joachim Hertz Stiftung
• Curricula of the future