Science Communication as a Gateway to Research Funding
Postdoc Workshop |
Date: 27 May 2026
Format: Online workshop, 09.30-16.30
Description: Successful funding proposals today are no longer defined solely by scientific excellence. Increasingly, they are expected to demonstrate a clear communication strategy, societal relevance, and potential impact.
This workshop is designed for postdoctoral and early career researchers who want to strengthen their funding applications through effective science communication and impact-oriented engagement strategies. The workshop addresses current developments in national and European funding programmes and explores how communication, dissemination, engagement and exploitation strategies can be convincingly embedded in research proposals. Participants will gain practical insights into how impact orientation, public engagement, and open innovation approaches can enhance proposal quality and competitiveness.
Through a mix of expert input, discussion, and reflective exercises, participants will develop a deeper understanding of how to strategically position their research and communicate it in a way that aligns with funding expectations and broader societal needs.
Learning Objectives:
After completing the workshop, participants will be able to:
• Understand current expectations regarding science communication in major funding schemes (e.g. DFG, BMBF, EU programmes)
• Integrate communication, dissemination, engagement and exploitation strategies effectively into funding proposals
• Articulate impact pathways in a clear and convincing manner
• Meaningfully incorporate public engagement and open innovation approaches into project designs
• Communicate their research in a target-group-oriented and funding-relevant way
• Strategically enhance the success potential of their grant applications
Trainer: Dr Annette Klinkert is the founder of city2science and an expert in science communication, public engagement, and strategic research funding. She has extensive experience advising universities and research organisations internationally, as well as coordinating national and European funding projects. Her work focuses on impact-oriented proposal development, dialogical communication formats, and strengthening the interface between science, society, and funding frameworks. As an experienced trainer, she designs interactive workshops for researchers at all career stages.
Registration & Deadlines:
- Participation in the entire workshop is mandatory! Please only register if you can attend the entire workshop by filing our registration form.
- For Info-Sessions, the number of participants is not limited. You can register until two day before the event.
- For Workshops, if all places are taken, it is possible to register for the waiting list.
- Registration closes two weeks before a workshop starts.
Interested in learning more? Check out our other postdoc events!