Two teams honoured as ‘Best Research Environment’

On 27 June 2026, two teams from TU Braunschweig were honoured as ‘Best Research Environment’: the ‘Applied Mechanics’ department and the fuel cell team at the Institute for Internal Combustion Engines and Fuel Cells. The latter was also among the five winning teams to be awarded prize money of 10,000 euros each. A total of 15 research environments were honoured. The Young Academy, which is particularly committed to supporting researchers in the early and mid-stages of their careers, and the Volkswagen Foundation are awarding this prize for the second time. In doing so, they recognise the importance of a good research environment for scientific excellence and the efforts made to actively shape inspiring, supportive and fair working conditions.

In March, 15 teams were shortlisted from over 170 applications. According to the Young Academy, the key criteria were “a clear sense of identity, transparent responsibilities and communication channels, an open culture of learning from mistakes, and reliable support structures”. On 27 June, at the Young Academy’s annual celebration, five teams each received prize money of 10,000 euros. As all 15 teams were equally deserving of the award, the prize money was allocated by lottery. Representatives from all teams travelled to Berlin to take part in the draw and expand their networks.

Best Research Environment: The fuel cell team at the Institute for Internal Combustion Engines and Fuel Cells. Photo credits: Gramann/TU Braunschweig

The fuel cell team is researching hydrogen and fuel cell systems for a sustainable energy and mobility transition. Led by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Michael Heere, this young, international team of nine PhD students works on interdisciplinary projects at the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Automotive Engineering (NFF). Its network comprises scientific institutes, research centres and companies. A flat hierarchy, open communication, a culture of feedback and coaching programmes promote both research and personal development in equal measure.

Best Research Environment: Department of Applied Mechanics. Photo credits: Institute of Applied Mechanics/TU Braunschweig

The Department of Applied Mechanics investigates how materials and structures behave, how they age and how they can be improved to become more durable and sustainable. Team members combine experiments, computer simulations and modern data-driven methods to gain a better understanding of processes such as material failure, mass transport and novel manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. The team is international and works in an open, English-speaking environment with empathetic leadership that fosters trust, flexibility and individual development.

The Young Academy was founded in 2000 as the world’s first academy for outstanding young scientists. Its members come from all scientific disciplines as well as the arts. The Young Academy is jointly supported by the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.