In 2023, the Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure and the ECN started to encourage PhD students and postdocs to invite renowned international scientists to present their newest research in Berlin. An overwhelming number of 16 initiatives applied for this.

Every year, five initiatives are selected by a group of senior researchers. Each successful initiative receives 8.000€ to be spent on travel and accomodation costs for at least five speakers as well as for snacks and beverages after the talks and network events with the invited speakers.

Any group of PhD students or postdocs affiliated with Berlin-based neuroscience workgroups can apply. At least one of these workgroups has to be part of the ECN or NeuroCure and no workgroup is allowed to give more than half of the initiative members. Any neuroscience-related subject, narrow or broad, is permitted as long as it is of interest to at least three labs.

The talks can take place on any Berlin science campus.