From July, 20th – July, 26th 2024, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany will be hosting the Innovation Cup Summer Camp. Apply now! Online application starts from November 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024. All travel, food and accommodation expenses are paid by Merck.
During a one-week Summer Camp, 42 selected postgraduate students will attend in-depth presentations about the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
Participants will work in small teams to generate an innovative idea that addresses a scientific challenge and develop the idea into a business plan. The teams will receive coaching and guidance from managers and scientists of Merck and its affiliates, as well as experienced retirees. The teams will present their business plans to a grand jury composed of top management of Merck and its affiliates and external experts.
The jury will select the best business plan and present the winning team with the Innovation Cup award and a cash prize of 20,000 Euros plus 5,000 Euros and 3,000 Euros for the runner-ups. Best ideas will be evaluated for implementation. Best participants can enter a top talent program for a permanent position. On the first day of the Summer Camp, a conference with alumni from previous editions of the Innovation Cup will be organized.
The Innovation Cup is an initiative for post-graduate students in natural sciences, computer sciences, and business administration to attend a training program near Frankfurt, Germany. The Innovation Cup is designed to support the professional development of post-graduate students interested in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
Participants learn how R&D in the industry works by lectures from Merck managers and scientists. The students will also advance an idea to a full project plan with their teams. The event brings together a promising new generation of talent with senior managers and researchers and accomplished retirees in a meeting of the generations. It also provides a unique chance to network with the brightest students from all around the world.
Teams will work on innovative projects in the areas of: Oncology, Neuroscience & Immunology, Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Biology, Digital Health, Neuroinspired Computing and Smart Manufacturing. At the first day of the summer camp a conference with alumni from previous editions will be organized.
Postdocs and post-graduate students on their way towards a PhD in biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, biotechnology, computer sciences, data sciences, biochemistry, pharmacy, engineering or related fields are invited to apply. In addition, advanced MBA students or recent MBA graduates with an interest in the pharmaceutical and chemical business and a background in natural sciences or computer and data are also eligible.
Each participant will also get a free ticket to the Curious2024 – Future Insight Conference.
More information in the flyer (RoW and US/Can) or at: innovationcup.merckgroup.com.