24.01.2026

Presentation of the new mission statement and kick-off of the annual theme “Imagination”

Around 300 guests accepted the invitation of the Max Weber Program (MWP) to the festive New Year‘s reception on 24 January 2026 in Munich. They were welcomed by Dr. Johannes Eberle, representing the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, and Prof. Sibylle Baumbach, member of the board of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. Prof. Michael Decker, Director General of the Deutsches Museum in Munich, launched the MWP’s annual theme “Imagination” with his keynote speech. The MWP used the festive setting to present its new mission statement for the first time.

In the foyer and in the corridors in front of the Great Aula of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, there was a warm and convivial atmosphere. Current and former scholars, mentors, members of the advisory board, representatives of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts and staff members from the Max Weber team of the Studienstiftung came together to toast the New Year, get in touch with old acquaintances and get to know new ones. At the same time, they already had the opportunity to read posters with the text of the new MWP mission statement on mobile screens and to engage in conversations with each other about it.

In the foyer of the LMU Munich, numerous guests sit together in small groups and talk, surrounded by high arches and plenty of natural light.

Around 300 guests followed the invitation and took the opportunity to talk to each other and make new contacts even before the start of the program.

A person gives a speech at the lectern with the inscription Max Weber Program Bavaria.

In her speech, Prof. Sibylle Baumbach underlined the joint success story of the promotion of gifted individuals between the Elite Network of Bavaria and the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.

In a crowded room, one person in the audience stands up and speaks into a microphone while the other guests listen attentively.

After the lecture, scholarship holders asked intriguing questions about responsibility in AI and robotics.

8 people stand on a stage and pose for a group photo.

The editorial team proudly presented the new mission statement of the Max Weber Program on stage.

An older gentleman talking to two young ladies.

At the New Year's reception, scholarship recipients, alumni, and mentors once again had the opportunity to engage in conversation with one another.

Two guests in lively conversation, each with a bright red flower in his hand.

Lively exchange among the numerous guests in the foyer of LMU Munich.

On a stage, a person playing the grand piano and a second clarinet.

A wonderful tradition: participants in the MWP Music Days contributed to the successful musical accompaniment.

Mehrere Personen stehen an Tischen zusammen und notieren Ideen auf Plakaten und Haftnotizzetteln.

Bei den anschließenden Austauschrunden tauschten die ehemaligen Geförderten tauschten Erfahrungen und Idee aus und bauten dauerhafte Netzwerke auf.

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Greetings from the Bavarian Ministry of Science and the Board of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation

Prof. Sibylle Baumbach, Professor of English Literatures and Cultures at the University of Stuttgart, conveyed greetings from the Executive Board of the Studienstiftung and looked back on the special anniversary year 2025, in which the German Academic Scholarship Foundation celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Max Weber Program celebrated its 20th anniversary: "For twenty years, the Elite Network of Bavaria and the German Academic Scholarship Foundation have enjoyed a close and successful partnership. The Max Weber Program – and, since 2020, the Marianne Plehn Program for doctoral students – both benefit in a special way from this cooperation. The German Academic Scholarship Foundation's extensive expertise in nationwide talent promotion and the long tradition of Bavarian state talent promotion with ist regional roots and vibrant community complement each other to create a joint success story."

On the occasion of the New Year’s reception, Bavaria’s Science Minister Markus Blume emphasized: “Talents are our greatest treasure – they are bearers of hope and responsibility. The great challenges of our time, from the development of the age of AI to energy transition and securing peace and prosperity, can only be solved through strong cooperation and networks. Fellows of the Max Weber Program are part of our unique Elite Network of Bavaria and bring the talent, commitment and courage needed to actively shape our future. Become pioneers and facilitators of innovation and progress in the Free State and beyond. Bavaria is counting on you!”

On stage in a large auditorium, a speaker delivers a greeting to the audience, with a presentation slide in the background.

Starting the new year together: Dr. Johannes Eberle of the State Ministry of Science and the Arts welcomed the numerous guests in the Great Aula of the LMU Munich.

Lecture on the MWP annual theme “Imagination”

This year, Prof. Michael Decker, Director General of the Deutsches Museum in Munich and Professor of Science Communication and Technology Assessment at the Technical University of Munich, gave the keynote speech. With his lecture “Imagination and Technical Futures: The Perspective of Technology Assessment,” he launched the new MWP annual theme “Imagination”. Michael Decker emphasized the guiding role that imagining the future plays in current decisions. Using robotics as an example, he explained the conditions under which humans can take responsibility for the functioning of machines, even if they are given their own scope for action.

Prof. Michael Decker, Director General of the Deutsches Museum, opened the annual theme “Imagination” with his lecture on the perspective of technology assessment.

“Rooted in Bavaria – open to the world”: a mission statement for the Max Weber Program

A special highlight of this year’s New Year’s reception was the presentation of the MWP mission statement. Entitled “Rooted in Bavaria – open to the world,” it conveys the fundamental values and goals of the MWP and is intended to serve as a compass for the internal and external design and strategic management of the program. The reason for the development of the MWP’s first own mission statement was the 20th anniversary of the program in 2025. The mission statement process was designed in a participatory manner, involving current and former grantees, mentors and employees of the Max Weber team of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Elite Network of Bavaria.

At the New Year’s reception, the MWP extended special thanks to the grantees and alumni Markus Ackermann, Thomas Bratzdrum, Clemens Hagemann, Anna Hench, Magdalena Seitz and Sophie Simm, who, as members of the editorial team, worked with great dedication to develop the text of the mission statement from the material collected for this purpose and traveled to Munich for its presentation. On stage, they gave guests a personal insight into milestones in the process and spoke of their great enthusiasm for the joint project, which was also evident in the presentation of the mission statement.

Two people stand in front of a partition wall with the mission statement of the Max Weber Program.

The new mission statement of the Max Weber Program met with great interest and stimulated discussion.

Successful supporting program: MWP grantees help organize the New Year’s reception

Max Weber Program scholarship recipients contributed to the festive program throughout the day in keeping with a wonderful tradition. Participants in this year's MWP Music Days provided the musical accompaniment: Fridolin Hartmann and Nikolas Karrer opened the ceremony on the horn and piano with Marcel Boucard's “Légende Rustique.” Paula Stengel and Sascha Schmaußer led the transition from the welcoming speeches to the keynote address with Claude Debussy's “Petite Pièce” and rounded it off together on the grand piano with György Ligeti's “IV Sonata.”

Following the stage program, guests gathered in the premises of Ludwig-Maximilians-University to bring the festive start of the year to a close in a convivial atmosphere.

Text: German Academic Scholarship Foundation