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Best Scientific Image

Each year we look for the best scientific images of the Helmholtz Association, which showcase the outstanding portfolio of Helmholtz in imaging and the contribution of imaging science in solving major societal challenges.

Discover the winning images!

Image: DZNE

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Show all Best Scientific Image Conference Training Other

Promotional banner for the Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow featuring a color-coded elevation map with mountains, valleys, and a river. Large white text reading “Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow” is displayed over the map, with white corner markers framing the composition.

Image: Markus Bachmann, DLR Oberpfaffenhofen (Top 20 image, Helmholtz Imaging Best Scientific Image Contest 2024) | info

Published on 27.07.2026

Bring your Imaging Questions: Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow at DLR

Join us on September 1 at DLR in Cologne for the Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow! Bring your imaging-related questions and discover how we can support your research. While you’re there, explore the winning images from our 2025 Best Scientific Image Contest, which will be on display on campus.

Image: Ekaterina Nazarova, DKFZ

Published on 27.07.2026

ORena SAVE FOCUS Challenge tests VLM’s surgical video understanding

Can vision-language models help surgeons keep track of every surgical object during an operation? The ORena SAVE FOCUS challenge puts that question to the test. Teams are invited to train their models on expert-annotated surgical video data and compete against the baseline models and each other. A $60k prize pool will be distributed among the top performers!

Promotional graphic for the Helmholtz Imaging Best Scientific Image Contest 2026 public voting, featuring a collage of colorful contest images arranged in triangular shapes and the words “Public Voting” on a black background.

Image: Katharina Kriegel, Helmholtz Imaging, DESY (images: selection of 2026 contest submissions) | info

Published on 23.07.2026

Cast Your Vote for the Public Choice Award

The images are in – and now it is your turn to choose your favorite scientific images for the Public Choice Award in the Helmholtz Imaging Best Scientific Image Contest 2026. Voting is open until August 18, 2026.

Visual to promote the Helmholtz Imaging Project Call 2026, showing title, deadline and two images from previous projects on black background

Image: Katharina Kriegel, Helmholtz Imaging, DESY (images from Helmholtz Imaging projects) | info

Published on 30.03.2026

Helmholtz Imaging Project Call 2026 – Now Open

The Helmholtz Imaging Project Call 2026 is now open. Researchers across the Helmholtz Association can apply for funding of collaborative projects advancing imaging science. Deadline: June 26, 2026. Join one of our information sessions on to learn more.

Portrait of Annika Reinke

Image: DKFZ | info

Published on 09.02.2026

HIDA Lecture: When AI Performance Misleads

Join Annika Reinke from the Helmholtz Imaging Research Unit at DKFZ on February 19 at 11 AM (CET) for her virtual lecture “When AI Performance Misleads: From Success in Papers to Failure in Practice”. Don’t miss out, register today.

Visual to promote the Helmholtz Platforms Roadshow 2025, headline and further information on purplish background

Image: HIDS | info

Published on 08.10.2025

Data Science Unlocked: Helmholtz Platforms Roadshow

Join us on November 12 at 11 AM for the opportunity to learn more about the offerings of the five Helmholtz Information and Data Science Platforms. Interact with us, collaborate, and network with peers!

Visual to promote the "Mathematics of Transformers" Workshop showing title and further information pale photograph of a scenic lake shore.

Image: DESY | info

Published on 11.09.2025

Mathematics of Transformers

A workshop on transformer architecture and its underlying (self-)attention mechanisms.

Visual to promote the Helmholtz Imaging Project Call 2025, showing title, deadline and two images from previous projects.

Image: Katharina Kriegel, DESY | info

Published on 05.05.2025

Helmholtz Imaging Project Call 2025 – Now Open

Submit your proposal by July 30 for seed funding of collaborative, cross-disciplinary projects in imaging and information and data science. Need a partner? Join our matchmaking channel on Mattermost or connect at the Helmholtz Imaging Conference (June 25–27). Have any questions? Don’t miss our info session on July 17!

Visual showing blue-and-orange-particle-data-wave-backgrounds.

Image: Envato Elements | info

Published on 19.03.2025

Helmholtz UNLOCK Benchmarking Call – Information Session on April 10

The Helmholtz Information & Data Science Framework is launching a funding program to support high-quality, open benchmark datasets in AI-driven research. The call for proposals opens April 1. Join the information session on April 10!

Futuristic Visual of a bluish 3D Portal called "Futurismus Neontunnel" (3D rendering).

Image: Envato Elements | info

Published on 07.03.2025

Quantum Use Challenge Matchmaking Event

The Helmholtz Association invites proposals for joint research projects in the field of quantum use. Join the matchmaking event on Tuesday, March 25, 2025!

Image by Tian Wu, Pengfei Yao, Yu Ren (all GEOMAR), called "Whale Songs Across the Ocean" showing the visualization of fin whale calls in the Northeast Pacific, based on the dynamic image analysis (DIA) of the soundtracks recorded by ocean bottom seismometers (light-bluish lines and dots on black background forming the shape of a whale).

Image: T. Wu, P. Yao & Y. Ren, all GEOMAR | info

Published on 12.11.2024

7th Round Table on Deep Learning @DESY

For the 7th year in a row, the Round Table on Deep Learning @DESY will take place on November 22, 2024 — a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with fellow researchers across diverse disciplines who are using the same AI tools to solve vastly different problems.

Visual created by DALL·E to promote event

Image: DALL·E | info

Published on 18.10.2024

HI@Falling Walls Science Summit 2024

Join us at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin, November 7-9, showcasing outstanding research, and innovative ideas. Don’t miss Lena Maier-Hein presenting on advancements in surgical imaging!

Decorative image to promote HFMI Initative; created by Firefly

Image: Firefly | info

Published on 05.02.2024

Unlocking the Potential of AI: Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative – Call for Proposals & Info Events

The Helmholtz Association launched the Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative to leverage recent advancements in AI and the rise of “Foundation Models”. Join the info event on 8 February & the match-making event on 15 February. Submit your project proposal by 15 March 2024!

Image by Alena Prudnikava, HZB, called "Electrodeposited copper film onto niobium", showing the mechanism of peeling of the copper film from niobium substrate during the copper electroplating process in the alkaline electrolytic bath, displayed in somewhat crusty-looking little pieces and bigger chunks in olive green colors.

Image: Alena Prudnikava, HZB | info

Published on 19.01.2024

The Helmholtz Imaging Roadshow comes to HZB

Join us on 29 February 2024 for an engaging information session at 10-12 pm at HZB Adlershof & on 7 March at 11 am for a virtual Open Office Hour!

Explore captivating scientific images from our 2023 contest, showcased from 19-29 February 2024.

Decorative image to promote the Helmholtz Imaging Projects Call 2023 showing the title above 3 vertical rectangles with 2 images of previous contests and a white questionmark on black background.

Image: Katharina Kriegel, DESY | info

Published on 05.05.2023

Helmholtz Imaging Projects Call 2023 Open

The new call for Helmholtz Imaging Projects is open! Submit your proposal by 30 July 2023!