Seed-Funding Grant: Bringing Ideas to Life Together

Conceptual illustration of the photonic chip–based intensity and phase microscope proposed by the winning team. Image: Uni Graz / Simic, Banzer

With the new OpNaQ Seed-Funding Grant, the OpNaQ Group, part of the Institute of Physics, lifts collaboration within the research group to a whole new level, and supports sub-groups in turning their ideas into concrete projects.

The program focuses on teamwork, scientific communication, and collaborative thinking. The winning team receives a budget to realize their idea within one year.

Teams can be interdisciplinary and span all career levels, from highly motivated bachelor students to experienced postdocs. This brings together diverse perspectives and expertise, enabling new approaches and innovative solutions.

This year’s grant was awarded to Gabriele Maschera (M.Sc. candidate), Christoph Stockinger (Ph.D. candidate), and Marko Simic (postdoc) who convinced the jury with their project “Intensity and Phase Microscopy with Passive Integrated Photonics.” fruitfully blending into the OpNaQ’s research portfolio. The team demonstrates how exciting ideas emerge when different experiences come together.

The Seed-Funding Grant fosters collaboration within the OpNaQ research group and provides space for testing and further developing creative concepts, helping good ideas find their way into practice. Moreover, the program allows early-career researchers to get in touch with important concepts, such as grant proposal writing, engagement in interdisciplinary exchange, and broadening horizons.

Composed by Christoph Stockinger

More information regarding this program: Peter Banzer

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