Dear early career researchers, Imagine having clear answers to questions like: Who owns my research data? How do I avoid plagiarism? How do I negotiate authorship? How do I recognize problematic publishers? What steps can I take when facing research misconduct or power abuse?
With the new “Good Research Practice for Doctoral Researchers” E-learning course, the Berlin University Alliance has launched an innovative online course that cuts through the confusion by offering actionable strategies, interactive exercises, and engaging videos—all developed by nine respected experts. Open to all scientific disciplines and offered entirely in English, this course is your gateway to mastering research integrity!
→ Start the course now: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/grp. Looking for quick, confidential support for academic and personal challenges?
→ Find first aid counseling through dedicated support points across the university: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/mentalwellbeing/index.html. And a quick reminder: the nomination period for the Doctoral Council Election is now open. The elections will be held on June 17 and 18.
→ If you would like to stand for election, please submit your nomination by May 12 at 12 noon: https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/promovierendenvertretung/Wahlen-2025/index.html.
Best wishes and take care,
Your DRS Team

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Jump to ...

DRS Podcast

Spotlight on Research Integrity

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Offers from our partners

Calls & Announcements

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DRS Podcast "Drs 4 Docs @ Berlin"

“Doing a doctorate shouldn’t be a scary and uncertain time” - an interview with Prof. Dr. Helene Kretzmer, who received one of last year’s DRS Awards for Excellent Supervision: https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/2025/04/30/doing-a-doctorate-shouldnt-be-a-scary-and-uncertain-time-an-interview-with-prof-kretzmer/ - the latest DRS podcast episode on GOOD SUPERVISION.

The Dahlem Research School podcast "DRS 4 Docs @Berlin" (https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/) supports prospective and current doctoral researchers during their early career phase. It features expert interviews covering all stages of a doctorate and chats with winners of the supervisor award.

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Spotlight on Research Integrity

NEWS AROUND GOOD RESEARCH PRACTICE
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/drs/research-integrity/gwp-news/index.html

E-LEARNING MODULE ‘GOOD RESEARCH PRACTICE FOR DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS’
https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/grp

FU BERLIN X BUA OPEN SCIENCE TRAINING (Offered through a Berlin University Alliance grant, these specialized events are brought to you by the FU Open Science Ambassador Team (Stephanie Häring, Helen Niemeyer, and Lars Schulze):

1. Open Data und sensible Daten: Ein 1x1 des Datenschutzes (BIH, Charité‑Universitätsmedizin Berlin
   Date: May 7, 2025; join the online session: https://fu-berlin.webex.com/fu-berlin-en/j.php?MTID=m19c9782fa8ff1684ef8d2c500253e39f, Meeting-Kennnummer: 2794 855 8645, Meeting-Kennwort: d34YJwqeHp8
2. Open educational resources (Universitätsbibliothek, Freie Universität Berlin).
   Date: June 4, 2025; registration: www.fu-berlin.de/sites/ub/forschen-lehren/fortbildungen_ful/workshops/OER-2025_06_02.html
3. Partizipative Forschung: Lessons learned (Freie Universität Berlin).
   Date: July 2, 2025; venue and link for online participation tbc

More OPEN SCIENCE in the Berlin University Alliance: https://berlin-university-alliance.de/openx-initiative.

UNIWIND'S OPEN SCIENCE GUIDE — A MUST-VISIT! (in German)
A glossary, FAQs and links to resources tailored for early career researchers and science managers. Perfect for understanding the benefits of Open Science! https://www.openscience.uniwind.org/.

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Upcoming Workshops and Events

Dahlem Research School offers an extensive workshop program, most of which is open to all doctoral researchers from the partner institutions of the Berlin University Alliance. Visit our booking platform and check the announcements: www.drs.fu-berlin.de/course_list.

NEW USERS: Register with an institutional email address and confirm your membership.
REGISTERED USERS: Confirm your continued membership once a year.

OPEN DOOR TALK: Doctoral Research and Care Responsibility (online)
Date: May 20, 10am – noon
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/112581

WIRTSCHAFTSWISSEN KOMPAKT
Der Workshop vermittelt in anwendungsorientierter Form Grundlagen der Betriebswirtschaftslehre für all diejenigen, die sie nicht studiert haben.
Date: 26. + 27. Mai, 9:00-16:00 Uhr; Hittorfstr. 16 (Dahlem Research School)
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/112259

EINFÜHRUNG IN DIE GUTE WISSENSCHAFTLICHE PRAXIS
Die Teilnehmenden lernen die Grundlagen guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis kennen und wenden sie auf ihre eigenen Fälle an.
Date: 03. Juni (9:00-17:00) + 04.Juni (9:00-12:00); Hittorfstr. 16 (Dahlem Research School)
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/108020

THE CONVINCING EXPOSÉ
Explore and discuss the expectations the readers of your exposé might have. Work on both the academic content and the work plan of your research project, the two main components of the exposé.
Date: June 19, 9am–12noon; online
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/108027

ONLINE COMPETENCE TOOL
A self-assessment platform that helps doctoral researchers and postdocs identify and enhance interdisciplinary skills for diverse career paths.
https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/postdoc-academy/competence-tool/

Even though many workshops are already fully booked, please still register for the waiting list so that we can gauge the level of interest or need you have for the workshops. This helps us plan future sessions or make adjustments.

Also check for free places in the BUA GRADUATE STUDIES SUPPORT PROGRAM OVERVIEW (by Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin): www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/projekte/graduate-studies-support-program/list/

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Offers from our partners

BERLIN UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE
https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/events/index.html

BUA POSTDOC ACADEMY
https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/postdoc-academy/index.html

CAREER SERVICE DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/career/veranstaltungen/index.html

CAREER PERSPECTIVES with a PhD in Natural & Life Sciences
https://www.bcp.fu-berlin.de/en/graduiertenzentrum/promovierende/veranstaltungen/careertalks/index.html

CENTER FÜR DIGITALE SYSTEME (CEDIS): E-Learning & E-Research (website in German)
https://www.cedis.fu-berlin.de/services/fortbildung/index.html

COUNSELING SUPPORT in case of sexualized harassment, discrimination or violence
Confidential counseling is available to provide you with the support and guidance you need.
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/nein-heisst-nein/NEU_Anlaufstellen/index.html 

DAHLEM CENTER FOR ACADEMIC TEACHING
Professionalisation of teaching skills and development of innovative teaching formats.
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/dcat/index.html

DIVERSITY AT FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN
Policies, support networks, events and initiatives that promote equal opportunity.
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/diversity/index.html

FIRST AID COUNSELING
Quick, confidential support for academic and personal challenges through dedicated support points across the university.
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/mentalwellbeing/index.html

PHILOLOGISCHE BIBLIOTHEK DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT
Das Exposé zur Dissertation, Publikationsstrategien, Dissertationspreise
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/philbib/schulungstermine-fuer-das-Wintersemester-2024_25/index.html

STATISTISCHE BERATUNGSEINHEIT DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT - FU:STAT
(Deutsch oder Englisch, fachbereichsspezifisch und disziplinenoffen):
https://www.stat.fu-berlin.de/schulungen_neu/interne-start/index.html

TOOLBOX GENDER AND DIVERSITY IN TEACHING
Unlock a wealth of practical guidelines, innovative methods, and essential insights designed to help educators create inclusive, discrimination-free learning environments.
https://www.genderdiversitylehre.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html

UNIVERSITÄTSBIBLIOTHEK DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT
u.a.Richtig Zitieren, offene Schreibsprechstunde, Literaturverwaltung, Fake-News erkennen, Qualitätskriterien für die Literaturauswahl
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/ub/ueber-uns/termine/index.html

WEITERBILDUNGSZENTRUM (website in German)
The Continuing Education Center offers career-related continuing education, including Science Management, Research and Digital Transformation.
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/weiterbildung/weiterbildungsprogramm/wimi/index.html

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Calls & Announcements

DOCTORAL COUNCIL ELECTION // Nominations by May 12 at 12 noon
Interested in standing as a candidate or know someone you would like to nominate? Submit your nomination until May 12 at 12 noon!
Information and forms: https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/promovierendenvertretung/Wahlen-2025/index.html
The elections will be held on June 17 and 18.

The Max Planck Society offers bundled postdoc positions to interested top talents.
Deadline: May 13, 2025.
URL: https://postdocprogram.mpg.de

PUBLIC KEYNOTE: UNFOLDING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS
Join Prof. Ahu Tatli (Queen Mary University of London) at FU Berlin for an inspiring talk on an emic, compassion-based approach to intersectionality, followed by a reception.
Target Group: Researchers and academics interested in diversity, gender studies, and organisational change.
Date: May 15, 2025
Registration: https://www.polsoz.fu-berlin.de/soziologie/arbeitsbereiche/gender-studies/PM-registration-ahu-tatli

JSPS FUNDING INFO SESSION
Description: In-person session on research opportunities and fellowships in Japan.
Target Group: Doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty from Freie Universität Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin across all disciplines.
Date: May 15, 2025 (11:00 AM – 12:30 PM), Registration: https://ssl2.cms.fu-berlin.de/fu-berlin/en/international/news-events/PM-event/index.html
Location: Graduate School of East Asian Studies, Hittorfstr. 18, 14195 Berlin

ERNST-REUTER-AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DISSERTATIONS AT FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN
Description: Award for the best dissertations completed at Freie Universität in 2024
Target group: Early career researchers & their supervisors
Nomination deadline: May 15, 2025 (to be submitted by the respective FUB departments)
URL: https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/drs/funding/awards/erp.html

TIBURTIUS AWARD
Description: Award for the best dissertations completed at a Berlin university in 2024
Target group: Early career researchers & their supervisors
Nomination deadline: May 15, 2025 (to be submitted by a professor)
URL: https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/drs/funding/awards/tiburtius.html

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAM MEDICAL NEUROSCIENCES
Description: Seeking candidates with substantiated interest and experience in cell and molecular biology with a strong clinical connection in the field of Neuroscience.
Dates: May 15, September 15
URL: https://medical-neurosciences.charite.de/en/application_admission/application_doctoral_program

X-STUDENT RESEARCH GROUPS
The Berlin University Alliance supports research projects in which junior researchers and students conduct joint research.
Deadline: June 1, 2025
URL: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/teaching-learning/sturop/research-groups/call-for-proposals/index.html

UNA EUROPA: INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS AND SUPERVISORS
Target group: Doctoral researchers and supervisors from social sciences, humanities and law domains: boost your interdisciplinary methods and research skills – and your impact!
Application Deadline: June, 1, 23:59 CEST.
URL: https://www.una-europa.eu/calendar/training-programme-for-doctoral-researchers-and-supervisors

TECHNOLOGIES D’AVENIR SCHOLARSHIPS
Description: 1–3  month research stays at French institutes on topics including eco & energy transition, AI/Quantum, health, and creative industries.
Target Group: Master’s students (with a research focus), doctoral candidates, and postdocs
Application Deadline: June 4, 2025
URL: https://www.science-allemagne.fr/non-classe-nodisplay/du-master-au-post-doctorat-lappel-a-candidature-technologies-davenir-est-ouvert/

DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN
(Annual) Calls for doctoral places, doctoral positions and/or fellowships
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/doctorate/structured-or-individual/drs_programs

DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
A selection of the most important institutions that award doctoral scholarships
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/funding/grants/index.html

FORSCHUNGSPREISE (in German)
www.fu-berlin.de/forschung/service/foerderung/informationen/preise

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Please send your questions and comments to: skills@drs.fu-berlin.de

Dahlem Research School (DRS)
Hittorfstr. 16
14195 Berlin
+49 30 838 620 61
www.fu-berlin.de/drs

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