Citizen Science Competition

Research and teaching are not ends to themselves for the University of Münster but are rather the motor that drives societal progress. This involves integrating all of those for whom science is intended – citizens. For this reason, the University of Münster is continuously working to strengthen the value of citizen science research approaches within the University, sensitise its members to the potential of citizen science for research, and help initiate and establish new projects. A key instrument in this regard is the Citizen Science Competition, organised by the Universitätsstiftung Münster. After designating citizen science as one of its central funding focuses [de] in 2020, the Universitätsstiftung Münster launched an annual competition featuring research projects, in which citizens participate in science and research in exemplary fashion.

The Citizen Science Competition is endowed with 15,000 euros in prize money. In past years, two project proposals have generally been awarded 7,500 euros each and afforded an implementation period of up to two years to commence at their discretion. To be considered, projects must meet the citizen science criteria [de], which the Citizen Science working group has developed for the University of Münster.
Existing projects are also eligible to apply for funding. The basic prerequisite is that the projects aim to explore a specific topic and be conducted in partnership with (specialist) researchers from the University of Münster and citizens (private individuals, students, associations, institutions etc.).

The call for proposals begins every year in early summer, and the submission deadline is 31 October in the same year. The jury convenes at the end of the year to review and select the winning proposals, and the applicants are informed of the decisions at the beginning of the new year. The winning projects are then distinguished in an official ceremony at the start of the following summer semester.