Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany: Innovation Cup 2024

As a participant in our Innovation Cup, you get a chance to network with top students from around the world, work in teams to develop new innovative ideas for unmet medical need, and build a business case with support from experienced professionals. We are offering shared prizes of €20,000 for the winning team, €5,000 for the runner-up and €3,000 for third place. Selected top performing participants could get an offer for a permanent employment. And to make things even more interesting, options to implement the best business plans will be evaluated.

The Innovation Cup summer camp takes place from July 20-26, 2024, near Frankfurt, Germany. Your travel, accommodation and food expenses will be paid for by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Who can apply?

Applications are from postgraduate students in the life sciences working towards a PhD in biology, medicine, biotech, bioinformatics, computer science, data science, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacy, engineering or related fields. Postdoctoral students are also welcome to apply, as are advanced MBA students or recent MBA graduates with an interest in the pharmaceutical business and a background in life sciences. This program is not open to healthcare professionals.

How does it work?

As part of the Innovation Cup, selected applicants join a week-long summer camp, to work together in a highly stimulating environment.

• Work as part of a team to generate new ideas in the fields: oncology, immuno-oncology, autoimmunity, small molecules drug discovery, protein engineering and screening, digitalization.
• Evaluate your ideas from a technical and business perspective and build a convincing business plan
• Learn the essentials about R&D within the pharmaceutical industry
• Network with the brightest students from all over the world
• Understand how products can be successfully discovered, developed, and brought to market
• Get to know Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and learn about career options

Learn more and apply here.

Applications close on January 31, 2024.