Reference to the Excellence Proposal

"TUD in Dialog" is a part of the "public outreach" endeavours in the EXU strategic objective IMPACT and focuses on science communication. "TUD in Dialog" is also an internal communication tool for organizational development and, therefore, has links to the SPIRIT strategic area of activity.

TUD organizational units can apply for "TUD in Dialog" funding for their projects if the following objectives are fulfilled:

Objectives of "TUD in Dialog"

1. Building dialog between the university and society

"TUD in Dialog" aims to strengthen the societal impact of TUD and achieve an innovative and contemporary science communication which is relevant to the target audience. Particular emphasis should be placed on topics that are key to the strategy of the Vice-Rectorate University Culture: promotion of democratic values, participation, transparency, respect, diversity, inclusion, health, environmental sustainability, individual and societal responsibility, lifelong learning and modern working life.

The aim is to promote mutual exchange between society and the university via:

• incorporation of social impetus into research
• testing and discussion of scientific findings in the public sphere
• a two-way exchange of knowledge and experience from society and academia.

The focal point is building dialog with society in urban and rural environments, so visions and innovations of present and future changes and challenges within society can be developed together. This can be done with both analog and digital formats such as:

• public events, festivals, competitions, exhibitions, citizen science projects, and
• blogs, discussion forums, social media channels.

Projects are encouraged to not only take place in formal places of learning such as schools or TUD, but to also include learning sites outside of these. For example, neighbourhood areas, sports facilities, community gardens, etc.

Funded projects should appeal to all levels of society. Special effort should be made to include educationally disadvantaged groups. Care should be taken to ensure that the initiatives are also comprehensible to non-specialists.

2. Dialog within TUD

"TUD in Dialog" aims to promote a critical awareness among university employees regarding their own personal and university (communication) culture, as well as the viewpoint and perspectives of both the university members and the university as a whole concerning the topic in question. For these discussions, internal university participation methods can be developed and promoted within "TUD in Dialog".

Thematic participation methods on common goals and ideas for the future, or on topics that are controversial or under discussion at the university, should help to develop a university culture that is based on open, fear-free communication, participation, academic discourse at eye level, and mutual appreciation.

In the long term, these offerings are to become a permanent fixture in the university and public spheres, both internally (TUD) and externally (society), by creating virtual and physical spaces for interaction on campus and also in urban and regional areas.

Resources and funding period

Two funding lines have been established for the funding of projects through "TUD in Dialog":

Funding line 1

• Applications for large projects can be submitted in funding line 1. A total of 100,000 euros in material resources per calendar year is available for this funding line. The funding per project can amount to up to 35,000 euros.
• Funding period: the year after the calendar year of application.

More information on funding line 1 and application templates

Funding line 2

• Under funding line 2, funding for smaller and short-term projects is available. For each project, 1,000 euros max. in material resources per calendar year is available (combination with funding line 1 is not possible). The total budget in this funding line is 15,000 euros per calendar year.

More information on funding line 2 and application templates

The following information applies to both funding lines:

• No central personnel resources are available. (Funding of freelance and work contracts is possible). Student assistants (SHK) can only be funded to a small extent. Whoever organizes a "TUD in Dialog" project in a leadership role must ensure the necessary personnel resources.
• "TUD in Dialog" may not be used to finance essential facilities, and fixed assets may not be purchased from the material resources. This also means that the financing of technology is excluded.

• The applicant must be an employee of TUD and is responsible for using the funds in accordance with the rules.

Application deadlines

• Funding line 1: June 30 for the following calendar year
• Funding line 2: December 1 for the following calendar year,
  March 1, June 1, October 1 of each year for the current calendar year.

Contact

For questions regarding "TUD in Dialog", please contact the coordination team: