the
program
Who is the program for?
Motivation
- Seeking to turn their research into real-world impact
- Curious to explore new pathways between academia and application
- Aiming to shape the future of AI beyond disciplinary boundaries
- Committed to concluding their residency with a research paper that is accessible to the general public
- Ready to engage with the vibrant IPAI ecosystem in Heilbronn to connect with top minds from different sectors
- Committed to concluding their residency with a set of outcomes that translate their research into practice - including a publicly accessible research paper that records its key research findings and shares them with a broader audience
Experience
- A PhD or at least three years of research experience in the field of AI
- A strong track record in AI-related research – whether in computer science, engineering, life sciences, social sciences, psychology, or related disciplines
What makes this residency unique?
The Package
Focus fully on your research with an attractive salary, a generous budget, and targeted grants for relocation and personal expenses.
- Fixed-term employment with an attractive salary commensurate with a highly-qualified postdoctoral position in Germany. More information
- Six-figure research budget for infrastructure, travel, conferences, prototyping, etc.
- Discretionary funds for relocation, family moves, or visa costs
Get personalized guidance for project growth, leadership training, and business development – tailored to your personal goals and challenges.
- Startup Preparation & Business Model Development
- Investor & Founder Network
- Legal & IP Information
- Academic Mentoring
- Career & Leadership Coaching, Methods Training
- Research Publication & Commercialization
- Research Transfer & Innovation
Make use of our smooth transition support to Heilbronn with help on administration, visas, and social integration settling into everyday life to build your social networks.
- Relocation Support
- Visa and Administrative Assistance
- Welcome Program
Not only receive financial and structural support but direct access to leading experts and cutting-edge AI tools and technologies.
- Advice and exchange on technical topics
- Hands-on labs & access to tech stacks
Join a diverse ecosystem connecting more than 80 members and partners across various fields in academia, industry, and policy.
- IPAI Foundation Network
- User Circles on LLM/RAG, Agents, Data and MLOps
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Exchange Programs
- Exclusive Events & Collaboration Formats
- Long-Term Alumni Network
Work in a modern environment with access to high-performance computing and specialized laboratories to advance your research in the best way possible.
- Co-working space in the IPAI SPACES
- Compute power and AI infrastructure such as the IPAI Playground, GPU-Power, AI-Gadgets and Data
- Laboratories and test environments
Our sponsors
Submit your application via our online portal. The following documents will be required:
- CV & Credentials: including publications and awards
- Project Proposal: including required infrastructure, budget calculation, and transfer options
- Certificates & letters of reference: e.g., degrees (PhD, Proof for 3 years' research-experience in the AI-field)
Selected applicants will be invited to present their project idea in a short pitch session in front of an interdisciplinary committee of experts from academia and industry. This step is about exploring the potential of your idea further and getting to know you as a researcher.
Based on your pitch and application, we will finalize the selection and begin aligning your residency with relevant partners, mentors, and infrastructure to help you hit the ground running.
Connect with Our Team
Our Partners
FAQs
These are the most commonly asked questions about the Science Residency. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Connect with Our Team
Post-docs and researchers with at least three years of research experience with a focus on AI can apply. There is no age limit, and the program is open to applicants of all nationalities and disciplines—provided their research is related to artificial intelligence.
Yes — interdisciplinary work is strongly encouraged. Whether your background is in computer science, social sciences, biology, or law, the key is a clear connection to AI research and a commitment to bridging the gap between theory and real-world application.
The process begins with a written application, which should include your CV, a project description, relevant certificates, and letters of recommendation. If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to pitch your project to a panel of experts. Applications can be submitted in either English or German, but the project pitch must be presented in English.
The application phase opens on November 3, 2025 and closes on January 4, 2026. Once you submit your application, no further changes can be made.
You can get in touch directly with the program manager, Joy. She can be reached at: science-residency@ipai-foundation.ai
The residency initially runs for one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension. For the program launch in 2026, between 3 and 5 residents are expected to be selected.
The residency is fully funded. In addition to a competitive salary, residents receive a self-managed project budget that can be used exclusively for project-related expenses—such as conference travel, software, or hardware.
The residency takes place in Heilbronn, Germany. Organizational support is provided for relocation and visa-related issues. Family-friendly planning is also taken into account.
the residency?
At the start of the program, each resident’s individual needs will be discussed and planned together. Depending on those needs, residents will have access to personalized mentoring, regular peer exchange formats, and targeted support in areas such as entrepreneurial thinking and science communication.
Residents are expected to actively engage with the IPAI community and to publicly share the key outcomes of their research in a final publication. Additional results or outputs will be defined in alignment with each resident’s project proposal. Participation in workshops or lectures is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.
After completing the residency, participants have the opportunity to join an alumni network. Alumni may go on to work in industry, launch their own ventures, or contribute to the broader community through open knowledge sharing and collaboration.
The program is designed to support continuity and long-term engagement. However, flexible solutions can be arranged in justified exceptional cases, such as personal or professional circumstances that require a change in plans.
The followinf PDF file has a even more details and instructions regarding the application process for the program. Download PDF.
