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Science Year 2026

Through the Science Years initiative, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) places a specific topic at the center of science communication each year. In Science Year 2026, the focus will be on ‘Medicine of the Future,’ with particular emphasis on prevention, digitalization, participation, and precision. BIPS is participating with live podcast events and an exhibit on the MS Wissenschaft to actively bring these topics to the public. The Director of BIPS, Iris Pigeot, is a member of the Advisory Board for the 2026 Science Year of the BMFTR.

Live Podcast Events on Digitalization and Health

The “Digital Health Talks”, hosted by Rasmus Cloes, will explore a range of topics relating to digitalization in the health sector across five nationwide events. The University of Bremen is producing the “Health of the Future” live podcasts in collaboration with BIPS. The five planned events will cover topics such as health communication in the digital sphere, electronic patient records and the use of personal data in health research. The series kicks off with an event as part of Bremen’s Long Night of Museums.

Health Puzzle at the MS Wissenschaft

Also on board the MS Wissenschaft, which welcomes around 80,000 visitors each year, health is the focus this year. NFDI4Health presents an interactive exhibit entitled “Your Health is a Puzzle – From Data to Knowledge”. Visitors learn in a fun and engaging way that health data is generated in various places, that linking this data provides valuable insights, and that the protection of personal data is a top priority. In addition, the exhibit was selected for display at the BMFTR’s Parliamentary Evening to mark the opening of the MS Wissenschaft. This gives the project high visibility in political and scientific circles right from the start.

Science Year Advisory Committee

Iris Pigeot, Director of BIPS, is a member of the Advisory Board for the 2026 Science Year of the BMFTR. The advisory circle brings together partners from education, civil society, business, and the media. Before the start of Science Year, they meet regularly to exchange ideas and discuss the content of the forthcoming year. This forms the foundation for a Science Year with substantial content and memorable experiences. Throughout the Science Year, the partners continue to contribute to the initiative through projects and other contributions.

News about Science Year 2026

  • What Happens to My Data in Health Research? The DigiHero Example

    How does research benefit when I participate in a large health study? What exactly is a health study, and what kinds of questions are asked in it?

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  • From the White Cane to the “Smart Cane”—How Can Collaborative Technology Development Work?

    Can artificial intelligence make white canes “smarter”? Where can technology truly help—and where might it make things unnecessarily complicated? Researchers from various disciplines at Fulda University of Applied Sciences are addressing…

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  • [Translate to Englisch:] Ein mittelalter Mann schaut an der Kamera vorbei.

    Dark Patterns: When Design Harms Your Health

    Host Rasmus Cloes speaks with Dr. Thomas Eßmeyer from the Digital Media Lab at the University of Bremen about manipulative designs on social media. The discussion covers Amazon’s cancellation maze, Meta’s attempt to access our contacts, and…

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  • Illustration of a female doctor with her fist raised in front of a purple-pink background, next to the text 'Health XP – The Medicine of the Future on Tour'

    Year of Science: BIPS Researcher Raises Awareness About Cancer Prevention

    On August 27, Prof. Dr. sc. hum. Ulrike Haug, head of the Department of Clinical Epidemiology at the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, answered questions from the audience as part of the interactive…

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  • How much smartphone use is healthy?

    Smartphones and social media are part of everyday life for children and teenagers. At the same time, concerns are growing: sleep, concentration, self-image, social pressure—digital media have long since had an impact not only “online,” but…

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