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#1 Register
First of all, you have to register on our platform. You can find a tutorial in the question "How to create an account on our platform and how to set it up?".

#2 Select the challenge 

The Future Materials Innovation Program consists of various challenges. Scroll up, look over the challenges and choose the one you are interested in, by clicking on ‘more information’. You will find the complete challenge briefing. Read it thoroughly.

#3 Select options of participation 

There are different options as to how you can participate in our challenges: You can create a new team for the challenge, join an existing team or participate alone (for further information: Look at the next question).

#4 Submit your idea 

Download the Submission Template.  Develop new ideas and approaches and submit them via our platform's challenge workspace before the given deadline has passed. Keep in mind that you have to submit the submission template in order to participate in the challenge.

#1 Participate alone 

You can participate alone by clicking on the 'Join Now' button in your chosen challenge page and then click on the 'Join Alone' option. If you change your mind during the challenge and decide to work together, it's not a problem. You can simply delete your participation and choose another option.

#2 Participate as a team 

You are already friends, fellow students or colleagues and want to participate together? You have already (pre)founded a start-up? That is great! One person from your team needs to click on the 'Join Now' button and select 'Start Your Own Team'. If you already have all the members you need, ignore the last question 'What does your team need?' in the pop-up. When you are ready to add new members, fill it out so your team is open to requests.

All remaining team members: Register on the platform, sign in and request to join the team of your teammate in the tab "Teams". Every team member has equal rights, there is no admin position.

#3 Join an existing team 

You know that you want to participate in a team, but you do not have anyone in mind to join? Have a look at the question "Questions or looking for team members?" and learn more about our team matching opportunities.

#4 Not sure yet? Team Matching! 

You are not sure if you want to participate and want to see what's out there first? No problem! We have provided you with a team-matching channel on Slack! Just click on the “find team-mates” button in the challenge info box.

Yes, of course! Our challenges are open to any kind of participant! Please follow the registration flow of #2 Participate as a team as described in the question above.

We are aware that your solution concepts are at different stages of development and that's okay! However, make sure to check out the knowledge base of the respective challenges in order to not miss out on additional information for your approach. This challenge might require a higher level of maturity. Please refer to your the "Detailed Information" Tab of your chosen challenge to find out more about the maturity level required.

For the submission, it is sufficient to describe your idea or approach in the submission template and upload it via our platform. It does not have to be a fully developed concept with a concrete implementation strategy. A visualization of your approach ( e.g. a sketch, visual drafts or prototype) is beneficial - it should be as well developed as possible but appropriate to the time you have. Remember, there will be an elaboration phase for the finalists of this challenge, in which you will develop your submitted idea/approach. 

Within the lines of the Future Materials Innovation Program, the solutions should be on a higher level than just ideas. Ideally, the solution is already in a testing stage. However this is still an open innovation challenge. Therefore any team with interesting novel approaches or developed concepts on a theoretical basis are welcome to hand it in as well. If this is the case for you, make sure to include more visualization in your submission (i.e., prototypes, sketches, visual drafts)

Your business idea fits to our challenge? Excellent! Then take part and let's take the next steps together. You only have to fill in the submission template. In addition, you can upload further materials, such as a pitch deck.

Check out our tutorial: Get started! 

Check out our tutorial: Join a Challenge!

There are no degree requirements. This challenge is open for every ambitious mind determined to make an impact with an innovative approach to the topic, no matter if student, researcher, Startup, etc. 

This Innovation Challenge will be conducted in English. 

Your participation is not binding until you submit the form, and the qualification phase ends. You can always withdraw your submission before the deadline. Once you have uploaded your submission and you want to take part, please consider the timeline and be aware that you should be able to participate in every further step.

After the end of the deadline (February 5, 2023), the submissions will be reviewed by the challenge provider. The final teams of every challenge will be selected and invited to participate in the digital Innovation Bootcamp of the Future Materials Innovation Program. We will inform you via mail. Check the timeline. 

Meet up & question-call every Tuesday from 16:30 - 17:00 (CET)  
If you want to talk to someone from our team about your approaches, you need more information or questions arise, just join one of our calls every Tuesday. It is a group call and you also get the chance to meet other innovators! 
Simply register here 

Every participant will always be able to use his or her own submissions to the full extent. Concerning the planned joint publication of all solutions, the final teams will only grant us the necessary rights so that we can publish the solution under a Creative Common License (non-commercial). In addition, all final teams agree to enter into discussions with the respective Challenge submitter within three months of the programs completion regarding possible further use of the solution. During this period, the final teams also agree not to enter into discussions with third parties regarding further use of the solutions. All details can be found in the conditions of participation.

Both parties (challenge provider and finalists) are also entitled to jointly agree on deviating and individual provisions with regard to confidentiality agreements or IP rights during the elaboration phase.