General Information

for Young Researchers

More than 25,000 young scientists from 80 countries have attended the Nobel Laureate Meetings since 1951. They each belong to the budding scientific elite of their respective countries, and have passed a multi-stage international selection procedure. Initially, interested young researchers submit their applications to the appropriate national co-operation partner of the Council and Foundation. This Academic Partner makes a preliminary evaluation and then puts forward a short-list of potential participants to the review panel of the Nobel Laureate Meetings. The Council workgroup then makes its final selection from this pool of Best Talents, examining 1,500 profiles for every Meeting before finally choosing the 500 top applicants to receive an invitation to Lindau. Taking into account the national selection procedures, in excess of 20,000 young researchers apply to attend each Meeting.

A comprehensive programme awaits the participants at Lindau. Lectures by the Nobel Laureates and intimate rounds of discussions offer science of the very highest standard. Thanks to the open conference concept, questions relating to basic research are equally at home here, as are application-oriented themes. The events of the social programme offer further opportunities for the exchange of experiences and opinions with Laureates and other young scientists. The entire conference concept is designed to not only make possible such encounters between the scientific elite of today and tomorrow, but positively to encourage and to inspire them for the benefit of their own future research. The Lindau Meetings contribute to the establishment of international networks of scientific excellence, irrespective of political, religious or other barriers. These networks extend into the future, sustained by an expanding alumni network.