Bright Minds with Green Ideas

Global warming, energy shortages, resource scarcity, and massive environmental contamination are some of today's biggest global challenges. The German Federal Government is taking responsibility by promoting sustainable development and green growth. Achieving sustainability, however, is a global undertaking. Based on our belief in the excellence and creativity of young scientists, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has created the Green Talents Competition. Exceptional young researchers from all over the world are given the opportunity to participate in this competition. The winners are invited to come to Germany, discuss green policies, visit renowned research institutions and companies, establish new contacts, and build networks with strong partners.

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The topic of sustainable development has been a top priority of the Federal Government for many years. Germany is a world leader in sustainability research which is why the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is now holding its fourth annual Green Talents Competition under the patronage of the Federal Minister Annette Schavan.

The Green Talents 2012 receive their awards by Federal Minister Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, ©2012, FONA - Research for SustainabilityOn 23 October, as part of this year's FONA-Forum for Sustainability in Berlin, the 25 winners of the 2012 Green Talents competition were given their awards. Hosted by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for the fourth time, the "Green Talents - International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development" attracted over 400 applications from 69 countries this year. In the end, the distinguished jury of experts selected 25 winners from 20 different countries, from Brazil to Zimbabwe, for their outstanding achievements in the area of sustainability. From renewable energy and resource management to the socio-political implications of new technologies, this year's winners covered an impressively broad range of academic research and achievement.

Minister Schavan praised the sophistication of the scientific work being done by the awardees and emphasized the important contribution of the Green Talents competition to the internationalization of sustainability research. "Promoting the mobility of today's young scientists is the basis for research on an international level and collaboration in the future," said Schavan. "Despite their diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, all Green Talents are bound by a common goal: to translate the principles of sustainability into real technological solutions and social concepts, and to generate awareness for these innovations beyond the borders of their own countries. This is what makes all Green Talents ambassadors of sustainable development!" Citing the growing popularity and recognition of the initiative, Schavan announced that the Ministry will host a fifth competition in 2013 and once again invite bright minds from around the world to Germany.

The awards ceremony was the final highlight of the winners' two-week tour of Germany. On visits to some of Germany's most renowned research institutes and companies, participants gained unique insight into sustainability research in Germany and had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with some of the most well-known scientists in their respective fields. 2012 also marked the first official Green Talents alumni reunion, which brought together winners from 2009 to 2011 and featured several networking events.

Building on the new insights and contacts gained from the Germany tour, each of this year's winners will have the opportunity to return to Germany in 2013 for a research stay funded by the BMBF. Up to three months in duration, these research stays will lay the groundwork for future international collaboration in sustainability research.

Find out more about the Green Talents Competition here.