GRADUATE

ACADEMY

Where to get money for research

The Research Funding Advisory Service team regularly offers events on funding opportunities from the major public funding bodies.

• DFG funding
• Federal funding, federal budget
• Funding from the state of Saxony-Anhalt
• HORIZON Europe / International Funding
• Funding by foundations, research in databases
• Tips for the application

 Dear Interested Parties and Members of the Evangelical University Council,

The winter semester of 2025 has already come to an end, but our commitment to the academic community and dialogue on faith continues. After a successful academic church service at the beginning of the year, I would like to bring your attention to the upcoming events in the summer semester through this newsletter. We have an exciting season ahead with many opportunities to engage in conversation, ask questions, and grow together.

Dates for the Summer Semester 2025:

April 29, 2025: Academic Church Service

• Time: 19:15
• Location: Wallonerkirche
• Preacher: Prof. Dr. Thomas Schmidt
  The first academic church service of the summer semester will begin with an inspiring sermon by Prof. Dr. Thomas Schmidt. This service is a wonderful opportunity to engage with faith in the academic setting and to experience community.

May 13, 2025: Academic Evening

• Time: 19:00
• Location: Community Hall, Neustädter Str. 6
• Topic: Studying Under Challenging Conditions – Identifying Problems and Finding Solutions through Selected Examples
  The academic evening will provide a platform to discuss the challenges faced by students. In times of societal and global upheaval, it’s crucial to reflect on how students and universities can adapt to changing conditions. Together, we’ll work on solutions and engage in meaningful dialogue.

June 25, 2025: Academic Church Service

• Time: 19:15
• Location: Wallonerkirche
• Preacher: N.N.
  The second academic church service of the summer semester will feature a sermon by N.N. Join us for another thoughtful evening of faith and fellowship. We invite you to come together in prayer and be inspired.

After all events, we warmly invite you to join us for a gathering with snacks and drinks, where we can reflect, converse, and share new ideas.

Forward-Looking Topics and Continuing Education:

In September, the University Council will meet for a retreat in Drübeck. During this retreat, we will focus on the important topic of “Racism-Sensitive Language and Mindful Communication.” This training will help us as council members become more sensitive and mindful in our communication, fostering an inclusive and respectful environment.

Statement from the Evangelical University Council:

In this context, we would also like to highlight an important statement from the Evangelical University Council. This statement addresses the current situation at universities in Magdeburg and invites reflection on issues of discrimination and integration. You can find the statement in the attachment or view it online here.

For further reading, we recommend the following links:

• Anti-Discrimination Office of Saxony-Anhalt
• Statement from the Integration and Migration Advisory Board of the City of Magdeburg

Evangelical Student Community (ESG) and the Semester Program:

The Evangelical Student Community is also busy preparing an exciting program for the upcoming semester. We will once again be involved in three events at the Church Convention in Hannover. A highlight will certainly be the Fête de la Musique on June 21, 2025, starting at 18:00, featuring Klezmer music by Harry's Freilach from Berlin. Be sure to mark this date!

We Look Forward to Another Year of Fellowship:

In closing, I would like to warmly invite you to participate in our events and take the opportunity to connect with other students, faculty, and members of the academic community. It is always a joy to engage with the vibrant community of the Evangelical Student Community and the University Council. Let’s make this summer semester a time of growth and togetherness.

Warm regards,
Dr. Angela Kunze-Beiküfner
University Chaplain / Evangelical Chaplaincy
Evangelische Studierendengemeinde (ESG) / University Chaplaincy Magdeburg
Neustädter Str. 6, 39104 Magdeburg
Email: Pfarrerin@esg-magdeburg.de
Website: www.esgm.ekmd-online.de
University Council Magdeburg

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, this year's MeCoSa network meeting will take place at the CampusTheater Magdeburg. All current and former participants of the MeCoSa program are invited - for exchange, inspiration and new contacts in the STEM field.

Event details:

• Time: 16:00 (duration approx. 3 hours)
• Location: CampusTheater, J.-G.-Nathusius-Ring 5, 39106 Magdeburg (entrance on the right behind the dentist)
• Snacks & refreshments: available

What participants can expect

• Inspiration from mentors and MeCoSa alumnae
• Experience reports on career paths in the STEM sector
• Exchange with company representatives
• Networking with like-minded people in a relaxed atmosphere

Friends from STEM degree programs are welcome to come along - with prior registration.

Registration:
Places are limited. Registration by May 11, 2025 at the latest via the website:

www.mecosa.de Flyer Networking Event

May 06, 2025 | 3:00 pm | online
Topic: “LIN PhD - Science Management - Industry” (ENGL.)

We are very pleased to invite you to our 13th Career Talk! This time we welcome Dr. Anika Dirks, Head of Strategic Project Development at MAPP GmbH & Co. KG in Magdeburg. In an open and personal conversation, she talks about her exciting career path - from research to science management to a management position in the healthcare industry.

About the person: Dr. Anika Dirks

Anika Dirks is a neuroscientist with an impressive career. After completing her M.Sc. in Biochemistry at Martin Luther University Halle, she researched molecular mechanisms of neuronal processes as a doctoral student at the Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology (LIN). She completed her doctorate at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg in 2017.

She shifted her focus to science management early on: among other things, she helped set up the CBBS graduate program and coordinated the DFG Research Training Group SynAGE. Commitment to equality, diversity and the promotion of early career researchers has always been a central theme of her work.

She joined the business world in January 2024 as Head of Strategy and Business Development at MAPP GmbH. In addition to her professional expertise, she also has a Master of Arts in project management and team leadership.

What are we talking about?

In our talk, Anika Dirks gives personal insights into:

• Her time as a doctoral student at LIN - what shaped and strengthened her
• The move into science management - opportunities, challenges and learnings
• Her move into industry - which skills count, how the change was successful and what it takes to be strategically successful today

After her keynote speech (approx. 20-40 minutes), there will, as always, be room for your questions - openly, directly and personally.

Access to the Zoom meeting:

Join now
Meeting-ID: 621 5635 3108
Identification code: 346268

The Career Talk format
In our "Career Talk" series, exciting personalities provide insights into individual paths within and outside academia. The talks are deliberately kept personal - career paths are rarely straightforward, and that is precisely what makes them so valuable.

I look forward to every participation - and to forwarding them to colleagues, alumni and interested parties!
Do you have ideas for guests or topics? Feel free to write to me!