The DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence at TU Dresden, provides the possibility for a Voluntary Social Year (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr, “FSJ”) in science for the very first time. The first two participants Jennifer Schwarz and Max Hyman have started their voluntary work on September 1. This gap year of voluntary service not just offers an active participation in research work but also provides insights into various activities of the CRTD. The FSJ is jointly organized by the CRTD and Deutsches Rotes Kreuz e.V. (DRK).

On September 1, the first two participants started their Voluntary Social Year at the CRTD. This programme provides both practical work in a laboratory and an orientation for future education and career choices. The programme is complemented by five one-week courses and seminars – jointly organized with the DRK as the supporter of this programme. Besides basic modules, optional courses from areas such as communication, pedagogy and health are available. The first two FSJ participants at the CRTD are Jennifer Schwarz (19) from Dresden and Max Hyman (18) from Heidelberg. Jennifer Schwarz does her FSJ in the research group of Prof. Dr. Gerd Kempermann. There she already learnt how to pipet samples and got to know the procedure of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): “This scientific FSJ perfectly enables me to prepare for a study of forensics. The CRTD offers me insights into laboratory life and research methods”, she explains. Max Hyman conducts his FSJ in Dr. Volker Bußkamp’s research group: “I want the FSJ to help me find a suitable subject  of study. During this year I want to find out if the field of research and especially biology are best suited to me. In the group of Dr. Bußkamp, one of my tasks is to take care of stem cells”, he says. The FSJ participants at the CRTD are not just involved in regular research activities, but will also get insights into technology platforms, teaching and the organization of well-established event formats like UniStem Day and Girls’Day. In January 2017, a third participant will start his FSJ at the CRTD.

A Voluntary Social Year (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr,”FSJ”) is a social educational year for young adults aged 16 – 26 who have completed their high school education. Areas of application include institutions such as hospitals, retirement homes, facilities for people with disabilities or welfare centers. With a scientific version of the FSJ the CRTD offers a new alternative to these traditional fields. The scientific part at the CRTD is supplemented by work with affected patients, which aims to strengthen both the participants’ personal and social competence. The FSJ at the CRTD has a duration of 12 months and is being conducted full-time.

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Founded in 2006, the DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence at the TU Dresden has now passed the second phase of the Excellence Initiative which aims to promote top-level research and improve the quality of German universities and research institutions. The goal of the CRTD is to explore the human body's regenerative potential and to develop completely new, regenerative therapies for hitherto incurable diseases. The key areas of research include haematology and immunology, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and bone regeneration. At present, eight professors and ten group leaders are working at the CRTD – integrated into an interdisciplinary network of 87 members at seven different institutions within Dresden. In addition, 21 partners from industry are supporting the network. The synergies in the network allow for a fast translation of results from basic research to clinical applications. https://www.crt-dresden.de