On your marks, get set, go!

The preparations for the opening of the Graduate Academy (GA) have been in full swing since February this year: The first members of staff have begun their work, concepts have been developed, rooms occupied and a website designed. Since August 1, the GA's doors have been open to everyone who is interested in what we do. As an interdisciplinary service point for young researchers, the GA is aimed primarily at doctoral candidates who receive their PhDs from TUD and at post-docs employed at our university. Anyone who has registered via the online portal and been accepted as a member can take advantage of the many services on offer: These include providing advice and information on questions concerning both the doctoral and the post-doc phases, funding programs (among other things in the form of travel grants and short-term fellowships), participation in interdisciplinary qualification programs as well as in networking and subject-specific events. The GA has received more than 500 registrations and has already welcomed about 200 doctoral candidates and post-docs as members since we opened. We are delighted with the great interest shown in the GA. The first round of calls for applications for the funding program, which closed on October 15, was also very popular. (see p. 3 for more on this). Registration for courses of the qualification program is now possible and there are still plenty of free places available (see p. 2 for further details). Now we are looking forward to the first comments from you. Let us know what you think and share your ideas on developing the GA. After all, we aim to target our services to the needs of the junior academics at our university. We are already eagerly awaiting your suggestions. KU The Graduate Academy of TUD has begun its work. Its main focus is on providing advisory, qualification and funding support for doctoral candidates and post-docs. At the same time, the Graduate Academy will offer a platform for networking and exchanging ideas.