Career and funding programs

We place great importance on the development and promotion of talents in the natural sciences, engineering, computer science, as well as in business and administration.

Your development is our concern:
At the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, we offer a wide range of funding programs and development opportunities:

• Internships and working student activities: Practical experience in real projects of applied research.
• Scholarships and doctoral programs: Support for further academic training and application for external funding opportunities.
• Mentoring and coaching programs: Individual support from experienced experts.
• Training and further education programs: Regular training on current trends and technologies.

Promote diversity - unlock potential

A central concern of Fraunhofer and our corporate culture is equal opportunities. Our development programs are aimed at all talented individuals - regardless of gender, origin or social background.

We congratulate our employees who have successfully participated in a funding program or have been awarded a scholarship. We are proud of their personal development at Fraunhofer ISC!

"Thanks to the TALENTA start support, I can already work on my future career goals during my doctorate.  This gives me a seamless and well-prepared start to my career after successfully completing my dissertation."

TALENTA start is the program for all female university graduates who are starting their career with Fraunhofer. Tamara Piock, for example, uses TALENTA start to write her doctoral thesis, attend conferences and develop her leadership skills - ideal support for her entry into a scientific career with management responsibility.

"TALENTA speed up enables me to combine my scientific expertise with project-related management experience and to advance my professional career in a targeted manner. The program allows me to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the translation of practical research and development into applications."

TALENTA speed up is tailored to experienced Fraunhofer internal and external female scientists with the motivation and potential to take on management or specialist responsibility. Katja Nadler, for example, uses TALENTA speed up to further expand her expertise in the field of medical devices and to prepare herself optimally for taking on management responsibility - important steps for successfully transferring research results into application.

"I am very happy about the doctoral scholarship from the Foundation of German Business! The financial support is helpful, but the non-material support through seminars, workshops and the strong network are even more important for my further education. Although the application was extensive, it helped me to clearly define my research question and develop a solid plan for my doctorate."

The Klaus Murmann Scholarship Fund helps talented and committed students and doctoral candidates to think entrepreneurially and take on social responsibility. There are currently around 2,000 scholarship holders from a wide range of disciplines, all of whom have a keen interest in making a positive impact on the world. In addition to financial support, a comprehensive ideational program helps participants to develop knowledge, skills and a good attitude.

"For me, the scholarship is not only financially helpful, but also a great opportunity to exchange ideas with other scholarship holders and gain exciting insights into research at Evonik. The application helped me a lot to think through my topic better and organize my planning - it was a great support, especially at the beginning of my doctorate."

“New materials for the next generation of battery systems” is the motto of the EVONIK Foundation's theme year 2025. With its annual scholarship programs, the foundation supports scientific theses, including master's theses, doctorates and postdoctoral projects. These programs aim to support talented young scientists and offer both substantive and personal support.

The Fraunhofer AHEAD program is an initiative of the Fraunhofer Group that aims to promote and accelerate innovative ideas and projects in their early stages. It offers support to start-ups and research teams by providing them with access to resources, mentoring, networks, and financial support. The goal of the program is to develop technological innovations that are potentially marketable and contribute to solving societal challenges. AHEAD particularly promotes interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration between science and industry.

These research teams from Fraunhofer ISC were selected for the AHEAD program:

Team "DERMacs"
(Exosome-based skin regeneration)

"DERMacs" aims to use findings from cell research to stimulate skin regeneration. This involves the use of exosomes, small transport vehicles formed by cells that can actively transport substances in and out of the cell membrane. The goal is to develop the process to such an extent that it can be licensed to companies.

Team members: Pauline Klose, Nina Köder, Lynn Flütter
Supervisors: Amelie Reigl, Dr. Dieter Groneberg

Team "PICKASSO"

The PICKASSO project focuses on AI-based automation of certain processes in cell-based tissue cultivation. In the future, it will be used for testing active ingredients in the fields of biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. PICKASSO enables the detection, positioning, recording, and analysis of organoids, such as skin or cornea models, in an integrated process with voice control. The goal here is to establish a start-up.

Team members: Aung Min Thein, Dev Patel, Linh Nguyen, Johanna Scherer
Supervisors: Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Schwarz, Prof. Dr. Jan Hansmann

Team "JUBAM"

JUBAM aims to develop an environmentally friendly and biodegradable packaging made from renewable raw materials, suitable for the personal care and cosmetics sectors. The team is collaborating with Fraunhofer IGB and a Berlin-based startup, with further details remaining confidential.

Team members: Dr. Ferdinand Somorowsky (Fraunhofer ISC), Fraunhofer IGB, JUBAM (start-up company)

Team "TigerShark Science"

Skin organoids from human stem cells as an alternative to animal testing

The start-up TigerShark Science develops skin organoids from human stem cells to replace animal testing in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. These organoids are cell aggregates grown in the laboratory that replicate realistic structures of human skin, including nerves, vessels, and hair. They enable research into physiological processes and the development of models for skin diseases such as skin cancer.
The use of these in vitro testing systems could not only alleviate ethical concerns, but also meet legal requirements, as animal testing is prohibited in the EU for cosmetic products. In addition, human cell cultures offer faster and more accurate results.

Team members: Amelie Reigl, Dr. Dieter Groneberg, Prof. Dr. Florian Gröber-Becker