Science & Innovation Tour 2026 Showcases Pathways from Excellent AI Research to Application, Transfer, and Economic Value Creation
Berlin, 11 Juni 2026: From May 18 to 22, 2026, AI Grid, Germany’s network for young AI researchers, brought a delegation of 17 selected PhD Candidates and masters’ students from Germany to the Netherlands. Under the theme “From Lab to Real-World Application: Life Science, Logistics, and Energy/Sustainability” the Science & Innovation Tour 2026 took participants to Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Delft. The goal of the trip was to strengthen German-Dutch exchange in AI research, gain firsthand experience with European innovation ecosystems, and generate ideas for more effective translation of AI research into practical applications and economic value creation.
Die Niederlande gelten weithin als ein stark kooperatives Innovationsökosystem, in dem Forschungseinrichtungen, Start-ups, Unternehmen und Technologietransferorganisationen eng zusammenarbeiten. Für die Mitglieder von AI Grid bot die Tour die Gelegenheit, dieses dynamische Ökosystem hautnah zu erleben, mit Forschenden, Gründer:innen und Unternehmensvertreter:innen ins Gespräch zu kommen und neue Perspektiven für die Weiterentwicklung ihrer Forschung zu gewinnen.
“Germany has excellent AI research and a strong talent pool. The key now is to translate this scientific strength even more consistently into application, bold innovation, and value creation,” says Laure Poirson, Project Lead of AI Grid. “The Netherlands impressively demonstrates how well-connected ecosystems of research, startups, companies, and innovation centers can support successfully such transfer processes. For young AI researchers, it is incredibly valuable to connect with other research ecosystems and see how their research can lead to concrete applications.
European Innovation Ecosystems as Learning Environments for Young AI Researchers
The program included visits to leading research institutions, companies, and innovation hubs, including the Amsterdam Science Park, LAB42, the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI), Startup Village Amsterdam, the ELLIS Unit Amsterdam, Elsevier, the AI Innovation Center at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, ASML, and Delft University of Technology. und die Technische Universität Delft.
Thematic topics ranged from AI applications in oncology, robotics, medical imaging, through generative AI in scientific publishing, knowledge discovery, and research integrity, to industrial applications, semiconductor technology, and AI-supported product development.
It became particularly clear during the tour that successful AI innovation does not depend solely on technological excellence. Equally crucial are robust networks, close collaboration between research and real-world applications, and structures that enable the translation of ideas into concrete solutions. Amsterdam highlighted the connection between research, startup culture, and scientific knowledge work.
In Eindhoven, participants gained insights into an industry-driven high-tech ecosystem and discussed data quality, product development, and real-world application conditions for AI systems with startups and corporate representatives. In Delft, the focus was on scientific exchange, networking among young researchers, and current research approaches from various AI labs and initiatives.
“Throughout the visit, young researchers from AI Grid actively engaged in discussions with Dutch researchers, startup founders, and corporate representatives. This is precisely where the added value of the Science & Innovation Tours lies: creating platforms for knowledge exchange, strengthening Europeans connections, and laying the ground for future research collaborations and career opportunities.”
The Netherlands provides valuable inspiration in this regard, particularly through its open culture of collaboration and the close integration of science, business, and innovation.
About AI Grid
AI Grid is an initiative funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) to support young AI researchers in Germany.
Das Netzwerk bringt KI-Masterstudierende und Promovierende deutscher Universitäten und Hochschulen in einer interdisziplinären Forschungsgemeinschaft zusammen.
AI Grid unterstützt seine Mitglieder durch wissenschaftlichen Austausch, Mentoring durch Experten aus Wissenschaft und Industrie sowie exklusive Veranstaltungen in Deutschland und Europa, darunter spezielle Formate zur Karriereentwicklung und zum Forschungstransfer.
AI Grid hat derzeit 313 Mitglieder, 109 Alumni sowie 110 Mentoren und KI-Experten (Stand: 11. Juni 2026).
