Open Innovation and Open Science are increasingly recognized as the central pillars of future research and innovation systems. A better integration of Open Innovation and Open Science into research will become an important driving force to increase scientific novelty and impact, calling for the creation of novel playgrounds for Open Innovation in Science (OIS).

The Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin (ECN) together with the Einstein Foundation Berlin recognize the importance of applying OIS principles and methods for the progression of scientific research as well as for the optimal translation of scientific discoveries into impact that tackles current and future societal challenges.

Since inter- and transdisciplinary, innovative projects often face severe problems receiving financial support from established, traditional funding lines in their early stages, the ECN will grant neuroscientific projects, which apply OIS concepts, tools and methods in one or more stages of the entire scientific research process with the annual Open Innovation in Science Award (OIS Award). The OIS Award includes direct financial support of 5000 EUR for selected OIS project ideas as well as expert training and coaching modules for further developing and implementing these Projects.