Welcome to the Exploratory Research Space at RWTH Aachen!
We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
Albert Einstein
Scientists Need Leeway for Creativity
The Exploratory Research Space at RWTH Aachen University (ERS) has been initiated under the Excellence Initiative and now forms a core element of the University's institutional strategy. ERS promotes and funds interdisciplinary research projects and provides a platform for scientists who join forces to develop highly innovative, challenging research ideas involving a higher risk than conventional ventures and who seek to realize their ideas in so-called seed fund or boost fund projects.
We facilitate dialogue and exchange between the disciplines and support researchers with seminars, workshops, and continuing education opportunities. ERS is targeted both at experienced scientists and early-career researchers.
Also, we promote promising research ideas by RWTH researchers by providing various funding opportunities through the ERS Project Support.
ERS Forum
Another ERS instituion is the ERS Forum, a networking platform covering all scientific fields that makes it easier for our researchers to get to know each other and exchange their scientific ideas accross the disciplines. Through these networking activities, researchers have the chance to jointly create new ideas for common research projects.
ERS International
ERS International promotes international exchange at RWTH Aachen. Our Visiting Scholars Program makes it possible for high-profile researchers to come to the University as ERS Fellows in order to participate in interdisciplinary research projects. They are invited to stay at RWTH Aachen between one week and several months, depending on the research program.
Furthermore, RWTH researchers have the opportunity to receive funding for a short-term stay abroad in order to participate in research projects conducted at international universities.