SCIENCE4FUTURE: FESTIVAL DER WISSENSCHAFT KIEL REGION 2024/2025

Project Information

SCIENCE4FUTURE

Grant agreement ID: 101162393

DOI

10.3030/101162393

Project closed

EC signature date 12 March 2024

Start date 1 March 2024

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 224 300,00

Coordinated by

KielRegion GmbH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SCIENCE4FUTURE (SCIENCE4FUTURE: FESTIVAL DER WISSENSCHAFT KIEL REGION 2024/2025)

Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SCIENCE4FUTURE is part of the European Researchers’ Night initiative under the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions, designed to strengthen public engagement with science, promote trust in evidence based decision making, and highlight the European Union’s role in supporting excellent research. The project addressed a growing societal need: in a time of climate change, digital transformation, geopolitical uncertainty, and widespread misinformation, citizens require accessible, reliable, and engaging opportunities to understand how research contributes to tackling major societal challenges.
The project brought together all 12 research organisations of the KielRegion and, for the first time, partners from the SEA EU European University Alliance and the region’s twin cities in France and Poland. Its overarching objective was to demonstrate how European research cooperation generates knowledge, innovation, and solutions relevant both locally and globally. Through a broad programme of pre events, Researchers at School activities, and more than 100 public events during the NIGHT, SCIENCE4FUTURE aimed to increase appreciation for scientific values such as research integrity, Open Science, and inclusiveness; spark interest in research careers among young people; and strengthen citizens’ understanding of how research supports EU priorities including the Green Deal, the digital transition, and the EU Missions.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project delivered a comprehensive programme across three main strands: an awareness campaign, the NIGHT events, and the Researchers at School formats. The awareness campaign combined conventional media, social media, and peer to peer outreach, reaching an estimated 750,000 people across the region. Five regional pre events successfully brought science into non academic environments, engaging audiences who typically have limited access to research.
During the NIGHTs in 2024 and 2025, more than 100 activities at nine locations each year transformed the city of Kiel into a vibrant science festival. Over 12,000 visitors per edition explored hands on experiments, science shows, VR experiences, laboratory tours, and interactive exhibits. More than 300 researchers from over 40 institutions participated annually, presenting EU funded projects and demonstrating how European collaboration advances research on climate, mobility, health, marine protection, and digital innovation. A dedicated SEA EU area and the SEA EU Science Show highlighted the project’s strong European dimension.
The Researchers at School programme reached record participation: in 2024 alone, 171 classes and more than 4,000 pupils took part in Rent a Scientist, while the Rent a Science Film programme introduced climate and marine science topics to schools across the region. These activities strengthened scientific literacy, supported teachers, and encouraged young people to engage with research.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

SCIENCE4FUTURE demonstrated how large scale public engagement initiatives can contribute to EU priorities by fostering trust in science, promoting evidence based thinking, and strengthening the link between research and society. The project advanced innovative outreach formats, including immersive science shows, cross border collaborations with SEA EU partners, and the integration of Citizen Science approaches. It also expanded the scope of the NIGHT by showcasing not only academic research careers but also non academic research support roles, addressing a growing skills shortage in the European research ecosystem.
The project’s results indicate strong potential for further uptake:
• expanding cross border science communication formats within European University Alliances;
• strengthening Citizen Science initiatives aligned with EU Missions;
• increasing applications for EU funding from regional stakeholders;
• enhancing science education through scalable school based formats;
• supporting the development of regional innovation ecosystems through closer cooperation between research, industry, and public authorities.
The project also laid the foundation for European collaborations, with the experience and partnerships developed through ERN directly enabling the successful joint bid of Kiel, Brest and Split for the Horizon Europe initiative Science Comes to Town.

Impression European Researchers Night Kiel 2024 - Magic Fire