Students can apply for the X-Tutorials with their own project idea. This program is one of the few formats that enable students to pursue their own research topics early in their studies. Students from all four partner institutions may participate in the funded courses, creating a versatile learning and research environment that transcends disciplines and institutions.

Doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers with a teaching concept can apply for X-Student Research Groups in which they investigate research questions pf their choice together with students. Nadine Vietmeier, a doctoral candidate at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, says about the program, “The format is an excellent way to implement your own research ideas with students and involve them more intensively in research. In my teaching, it is important to me that students learn about research from different perspectives, experience it in practice, and, above all, understand that they can make a valuable contribution to it – regardless of their background. That is exactly what the X-Student Research Group facilitates: students contribute their individual skills to an interdisciplinary team and share responsibility for the joint work.” During the 2021 summer semester, Vietmeier and her X-Student Research Group investigated a computer-based method for use in the diagnosis of children and adolescents with social anxiety disorder.

The applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee consisting of members of the four partner institutions. Prof. Dr. iur. Eva Inés Obergfell, spokesperson for the steering committee for the cross-cutting theme Teaching and Learning and Vice President for Teaching and Learning at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin until September 2021, emphasizes: “It is essential that the applications are convincing in terms of subject matter and didactics and that exciting, innovative research projects are offered with students in mind. For this reason, the review committee includes teachers, research assistants, and students.” During the current winter semester, the BUA is funding 16 X-Tutorials and 24 X-Student Research Groups.

Interested persons can get information about the formats and ask questions about the application process on October 22 (German) and October 25 (English) at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. Access data for the information events can be found on the Call for Proposals websites.

The Berlin University Alliance

The Berlin University Alliance is a consortium consisting of the three major Berlin universities – Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin – and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, established to shape research and education in Berlin. The four partners joined forces to further develop Berlin as a research hub with international drawing power. Together the partners explore major societal challenges, increase public outreach, promote the training of junior researchers, address issues of quality and standards in research, and share resources in the areas of research infrastructure, teaching, diversity, equal opportunities, and internationalization. The Berlin University Alliance is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the State of Berlin under the Excellence Strategy of the German federal government and the German states.

Joint press release issued by Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Press Contact

Hans-Christoph Keller, Acting Press Spokesperson for the Berlin University Alliance and Press Spokesperson for Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Email: medien@berlin-university-alliance.de

Related Links:

• Student Research Opportunities Programx (StuROPx): https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/teaching-learning/sturop/index.html

• Call for Proposals for X-Student Research Groups: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/teaching-learning/sturop/research-groups/call-for-proposals/index.html

• Call for Proposals for X-Tutorials: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/teaching-learning/sturop/tutorials/call-for-proposals/index.html