Inspiration Stage Programme
Transform your research into an inspiring talk and step onto our most popular stage.
Made up of short, engaging talks from across scientific disciplines, the Inspiration Stage Programme highlights outstanding emerging voices in science. Early-career researchers are invited to present their research in accessible, captivating talks designed for a non-specialist audience, and to connect with visitors eager for fresh insights and inspiring breakthroughs. The programme provides expert coaching and mentorship, helping you refine your public speaking skills and prepare your research for public engagement, all in preparation for your 12-minute talk on the Inspiration Stage at our Festival Centre, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, on 7–8 November 2026.
Applying to the Inspiration Stage Programme offers a unique opportunity to learn how to communicate your research to a non-specialist audience and speak at Germany’s biggest science festival. With coaching and support included, the programme is the ideal platform to refine your presentation skills, gain visibility for your work, and connect directly with a curious and engaged audience.
Start your journey to the Inspiration Stage by applying today. Applications close on 24 May.
TAKE THE STAGE AT HAUS DER KULTUREN DER WELT
In 2026, Berlin Science Week’s Festival Centre will be hosted at Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW), one of Germany’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Over three days, the Festival Centre will welcome thousands of curious visitors eager to explore cutting-edge science in a lively, transdisciplinary setting.
The Inspiration Stage is one of our most popular stages, drawing in an audience predominantly made up of adults: from scientists and researchers to curious minds with an interest in how science, culture, and society intersect. Visitors value expert perspectives, enjoy thoughtful debate, and respond to formats that are creative, interactive, and sometimes unexpected.
The Inspiration Stage is one of our most popular stages, drawing in an audience predominantly made up of adults: from scientists and researchers to curious minds with an interest in how science, culture, and society intersect. Visitors value expert perspectives, enjoy thoughtful debate, and respond to formats that are creative, interactive, and sometimes unexpected.
PREPARING YOUR TALK
You’ll have 12 minutes to take the stage and inspire the public with your research. Your talk will be grouped with three other presentations on related topics, forming a block presented either fully in English or fully in German. After each block, we host a 20‑minute informal “Meet the Scientists” session with all four speakers. It’s a relaxed moment for visitors to ask questions and engage directly with your work.
Make sure to tailor your talk for a broad adult audience. Visitors come from diverse backgrounds and seek clear, engaging, and accessible content. Include a short section connecting to this year’s theme, In Touch, for example by highlighting how your research touches society, the human stories behind it, or its impact on everyday life.
You’ll have 12 minutes to take the stage and inspire the public with your research. Your talk will be grouped with three other presentations on related topics, forming a block presented either fully in English or fully in German. After each block, we host a 20‑minute informal “Meet the Scientists” session with all four speakers. It’s a relaxed moment for visitors to ask questions and engage directly with your work.
Make sure to tailor your talk for a broad adult audience. Visitors come from diverse backgrounds and seek clear, engaging, and accessible content. Include a short section connecting to this year’s theme, In Touch, for example by highlighting how your research touches society, the human stories behind it, or its impact on everyday life.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Joining the Inspiration Stage Programme gives you the chance to share your research with a wide audience, receive expert coaching, and develop the skills to communicate your work confidently and effectively. By participating, your talk becomes part of the official programme, you’ll be Berlin Science Week Speaker, and your institution is recognised as a Programme Partner. As a speaker on the Inspiration Stage, you get:
- Your Moment on Stage: Full professional production of your talk, with 12 minutes to present your research, followed by a 20-minute informal “Meet the Scientists” session to engage with the audience.
- Online Coaching & Mentorship: Three coaching sessions to help you craft your key message, refine your slides, improve your public speaking, and receive personalised feedback.
- Visibility Where it Matters: Your talk will appear in the official Berlin Science Week programme (online and in print), reaching tens of thousands of Berliners and visitors who actively seek out science events.
- Photo of Your Talk: A professional photograph capturing you speaking on stage, perfect for sharing on social media or including in your portfolio.
- Certificate of Participation: After the festival, you’ll receive a certificate confirming your role as an official Inspiration Stage speaker, ideal for Linkedin or your CV.
- Branding & Promotion Tools: You’ll receive a Berlin Science Week media kit to help you promote your talk across your own channels.
- Access to our Community: An exclusive invitation to our Festival Centre Lunch on 6 November at HKW, a networking event where you’ll have the chance to meet and connect with fellow researchers, scientists, and scientific institutions shaping the festival programme.
Participation is determined through a selection process. If selected for the programme, a participation fee of €750 applies, covering coordination, production, communication, coaching, and documentation. We strongly encourage applicants to consult their institution or funding body to explore financial support for the participation fee.
Here you’ll find all questions from the application form and our selection criteria. All our key information is bundled in easy-to-download PDFs for you here.
MEET YOUR COACH
The Inspiration Stage Programme includes professional coaching to help you transform your research into a compelling, accessible talk for a non-specialist audience. With expert support, you'll build a story around your research, refine your presentation skills, and step onto the stage with confidence. Now, meet your coach!
HOW IT WORKS
Begin by shaping the key message of your 12‑minute talk. Think about the one idea you want the audience to remember: the human story behind your research, why it matters now, and how it connects to this year’s theme In Touch. At this stage, it can help to sketch a simple outline or identify the key moments you want to highlight.
We also recommend reaching out to your institute early to secure institutional or project‑based funding to cover your participation fee, as internal approval processes can take time. The participation fee is only due after selection and signing the offer.
Submit your application through our online platform.
In your application, please describe your talk in a way that is engaging and accessible for a non‑specialist audience and explain why your topic matters today. This helps us understand the potential and impact of your contribution.
Participation is decided through a selection process. A participation fee of 750€ applies, covering coordination, production, communication, coaching, and documentation. You will be asked for your (or your institution’s) payment details in the application form.
If your institution wishes to support more than one speaker, please contact us in advance at info@berlinscienceweek.com.
Selection criteria for the Call for Participation 2026:
- Scientific Quality
- Connection to the Festival Theme
- Audience Value
- Clarity and Engagement
You can find more information in the PDF in the downloads section.
If selected — congratulations! You will receive an official confirmation and sign an offer to secure your place on the Inspiration Stage. All participants will be informed by the end of June / beginning of July.
Selected speakers will receive a second form to submit their final title, description, and materials for publication on our channels. We will organise all selected talks into sets of four, grouped by related topics and presented either fully in English or fully in German. Your language preference in the application helps us place your talk in the right block.
All selected speakers take part in an online coaching programme designed to help you refine your talk, strengthen your delivery, and feel confident on stage. All coaching sessions take place online unless stated otherwise. Attendance is mandatory to ensure a strong experience for both you and the audience.
The coaching includes:
- Early October: A group session on public speaking (approx. 1.5h): Build confidence, learn how to connect with a non‑specialist audience, and practice key techniques for clear and engaging communication.
- Mid-October: Small‑group feedback session (approx. 2h): Share a draft of your talk, receive constructive feedback, and refine your talk in a supportive setting.
- Mid-October: A presentation workshop (Keynote/PPT basics): Learn how to design impactful, visually clear slides that support rather than distract from your story.
Pre‑recorded backup video: After the coaching sessions, we’ll ask selected speakers to record a simple 12‑minute backup version of their talk to ensure it can still be included in case of short‑notice illness. A horizontal MP4 with clear sound and good light, recorded on a phone or webcam, is completely sufficient. We’ll share the upload deadline closer to the festival.
The full programme goes live on 3 September, launching our citywide and digital campaign. To maximise your reach, we encourage you to run your own communication efforts in parallel, as we cannot guarantee attendance levels for individual events. You’ll receive downloadable copy, social media assets, and logo guidelines to support your outreach. Please tag us @berlinscienceweek.
Talks will take place on 7 and 8 November at the Festival Centre (HKW).
- Slides will be submitted in advance, latest by 31. October; the upload instructions will be shared with selected speakers.
- A short optional technical rehearsal on site will also be offered so you can test your slides, clicker, and stage setup. The rehearsal will take place on the day of your talk.
We highly recommend being present for all three days at HKW especially for the exclusive Network Event on 6 November for our contributors to make the most of networking and community opportunities.
After your talk, we kindly ask you to complete a short feedback form to help us improve the programme each year.
FAQS
About the Inspiration Stage
The Inspiration Stage is a curated programme of short, powerful science talks presented at the Berlin Science Week Festival Centre at HKW. It highlights outstanding new voices from across disciplines and gives early-career researchers the chance to share fresh ideas, surprising insights, and inspiring breakthroughs with a non-specialist public of curious minds.
Selected speakers present a 12‑minute talk, take part in a 20-minute Meet the Scientists session, receive professional coaching, and gain visibility at one of Europe’s leading science festivals.
Early‑career researchers, PhD candidates, postdocs, innovators, and practitioners from all disciplines are welcome. No prior public‑speaking experience is required.
All selected talks will be organised into blocks, each containing four talks on related topics. To ensure a smooth experience for the audience, each block will be presented entirely in either English or German. The festival team oversees this curation and will assign your talk to the most suitable block, guided also by the language preference you indicate in the application form.
Audience & Content
Talks are aimed at an adult, non‑specialist audience. Visitors come from diverse backgrounds, so your talk should be accessible, engaging, and understandable without expert knowledge.
Please include a short section in the application form that shows how your research touches people’s lives, whether through human stories, societal impact, or everyday relevance. To help you understand what we’re looking for, you can find here this year’s annual theme and its guiding ideas.
Each speaker will deliver a 12-minute talk on stage, followed by a 20-minute ‘Meet the Scientists’ session.
After each block, speakers take part in a 20‑minute Meet the Scientists session; an informal Q&A where visitors can ask you questions about your work. No additional preparation is required.
Talks can be held in English or German. Please indicate your preferred language in the application form or select “either” if both work for you, as this gives us more flexibility when we select and group talks.
Selection Process
You will be asked for:
- A clear description of your talk for a non-specialist audience
- Relevance and impact of your
- A connection to the theme In Touch
- Billing details
- Basic personal and professional information
All application questions are available in the Downloads section of this page.
Click the Apply Now button to enter our online platform. Please create an account first. Once you’re logged in, follow this path to reach the application form:
Berlin Science Week | Call for Participation 2026 → Apply for the Inspiration Stage Programme
Please describe your talk in a way that is engaging and accessible for a non‑specialist audience and explain why your topic matters today. This helps us understand the potential and impact of your contribution.
We recommend submitting one strong proposal. If you feel you have two distinct ideas, please contact us before submitting multiple applications.
You’ll receive an official confirmation, sign an offer, join the coaching programme, and submit your final talk details for publication.
All applicants will be notified after the selection process is completed. The selection process will take place in June. Please be patient since this takes time for us to review all the applications. We will aim to notify all participants by mid-June.
Yes, you’ll receive a second form to submit your final title, description, and materials for publication.
Speakers are chosen based on
- Scientific Quality
- Connection to the Festival Theme
- Audience Value
- Clarity and Engagement
You can find more information in the PDF in the downloads section.
We recommend seeking institutional or project‑based support as early as you can. Please note that free participation is not possible, so having funding in place will be important for taking part.
Travel and accommodation are not covered by the programme. We recommend speaking to your institute early to secure institutional or project‑based support.
Yes. If your institution wants to support multiple speakers, please contact us at info@berlinscienceweek.com.
No. Applications are only accepted from individual speakers.
- Applications open: 21 April
- Applications close: 24 May
- Coaching sessions: Dates shared with selected speakers
- Festival: 1–10 November
- Festival Centre at HKW: 6-8 November
- Exclusive Contributors Network Event at HKW: 6 November
Due to the high number of applications, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback.
Yes. You can withdraw your application at any time before the selection process is completed. If you need to withdraw after being selected, please contact us as soon as possible so we can adjust the programme accordingly. Please note that cancellation periods and fees apply once the official offer has been signed.
Coaching
Selected speakers join a coaching programme. You'll start with a 90-minute group workshop where you'll discover how to craft a hook that pulls your audience in from the first sentence, structure your 12-minute talk so non-experts actually follow, and weave this year's theme In Touch into your story in a way that feels natural and true.
Then, in your small-group coaching session, you'll get to present your talk and receive direct, structured feedback on your content, story, presence, and clarity in a warm and supportive space with fellow scientists who get it.
Additionally, selected speakers also benefit from
- A workshop on writing clear and compelling titles and descriptions
- A presentation workshop (Keynote/PPT basics for general audiences)
No, the programme is designed to support early‑career researchers without prior experience.
Participation & Festival Experience
A standard participation fee of 750€ applies. This covers:
- Professional stage production
- Coaching and training
- Communications and programme inclusion
- Documentation (photos, and recordings if feasible).
We strongly encourage applicants to seek institutional or project‑based support.
The stage is equipped with:
- A microphone
- A preview screen with timer
- A main presentation screen
- A clicker
- Water
- Standard audiovisual support
Yes! You’re welcome to use slides. We recommend keeping them simple, visually clear, and focused on supporting your story rather than overwhelming it. Since your talk is 12 minutes long, a good rule of thumb is no more than 12 slides, giving you at least one minute per slide.
You’ll receive guidance on effective slide design during the coaching sessions, and we may also provide a template to help ensure consistency across presentations. Technical guidelines for slides will be shared with selected speakers.
Slides will be submitted in advance; the deadline and upload instructions will be shared with selected speakers. A short technical rehearsal will be offered on site.
Documentation is planned: photos will be produced and shared with speakers for personal and professional use. Recordings are not yet confirmed; final feasibility will be confirmed closer to the festival.
While participation over all three days is not mandatory, we highly recommend attending the full three days at HKW, especially the Festival Centre Network Opportunity exclusively for contributors on 6 November, to make the most of networking and community opportunities.
HKW is fully accessible. If you have accessibility needs for the venue, the coaching sessions, or the stage, please let us know, we’re happy to support you!
We truly hope this won’t be the case, but if you become ill and cannot attend your talk, we will do our best to still include your talk in the programme. To make this possible, we ask speakers to prepare a pre‑recorded version of their 12‑minute talk as a backup. This recording is optional but strongly recommended. A simple horizontal MP4 filmed with a phone or webcam, with clear sound and good light, is perfectly fine. We will share the upload deadline closer to the festival. If you are unable to attend on short notice, we may show your pre‑recorded talk so your work can still be part of the programme.
Yes. All selected speakers receive an official Certificate of Participation.
Don’t miss your chance to take the stage.
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Inspiration Stage Programme 2026