Sparkling Science is a research programme of the Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF) which adopts an unconventional way in the promotion of young scientists that is unique in Europe.

The specific characteristic of the programme: in so far more than 160 projects scientists work side by side with young people in current scientific research projects: Sparkling Science supports both big research projects and smaller school research projects.

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In the 111 big research projects the young colleagues take an active part and work independently on parts of the research projects. As junior colleagues they introduce important suggestions into the research approach. They collaborate in the conception and conducting of investigations, conduct polls, collect data, interpret it together with the researchers and present the results at schools, universities and even at scientific conferences.

In the framework of a second support track of the Sparkling Science programme the BMWF awards grants for smaller projects – in this case “school research projects” submitted and conducted by schools. In these projects, too, schoolchildren work closely together with researchers and support them in their research work; these, however, are funded by other national and international research programmes outside the Sparkling Science programme.

Both support tracks are open to a broad thematic spectrum. Research is carried out on all sorts of different topics. From mechatronics and molecular biology to migration research, from acoustics and biometrics to literature research.

The combination of first class research with the promotion of young scientists already at the interface between school and university has proved itself to be an exceptionally successful win-win model for breaking down barriers which results in lasting institutional partnerships.