Spring Edition of the Helmholtz Incubator Workshop at DESY

On April 14-15, 2025, the Helmholtz Incubator Workshop once again brought together researchers, platform representatives, and strategic thinkers from across the Helmholtz Association at DESY for two days of dynamic exchange and innovation in Information & Data Science.

As the five Helmholtz Information & Data Science (HIDS) platforms move toward institutionalization, this spring edition focused on reinvigorating the incubator spirit. Through interactive sessions and expert discussions, participants explored the future of data hubs, revisited the HIDS framework portfolio, and discussed additional funding instruments alongside the existing HIDS platform calls. Together, they developed forward-looking ideas to further leverage the platforms’ potential for transformative Helmholtz research.

A very special moment marked the end of day one: the platforms expressed their deep gratitude and presented a farewell gift to Prof. Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association, as he attended his final incubator workshop in this role. They celebrated the visionary idea behind launching the Incubator, an initiative that has gained enormous momentum over the years. We are proud of the vibrant and active community we have built, one that is capable of taking on big ideas and turning them into reality.

With his visionary leadership, and steadfast commitment to digital science, Otmar D. Wiestler has left a lasting mark on the Helmholtz Association. By initiating and shaping the five HIDS platforms – Helmholtz AI, Helmholtz Federated IT Services (HIFIS), Helmholtz Imaging, Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy (HIDA), and Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC) – he has built innovative structures that have advanced data-driven science far beyond Helmholtz. Thank you, Otmar Wiestler, for everything you’ve made possible!