New DSHS funding program: Strengthening future skills for students!

New DSHS funding program: Strengthening future skills for students!

The German Sport University Cologne has launched a new funding program called “Teaching Funding for Academic Sustainability”. With this approach, the institution aims to provide high-quality education that meets current academic standards and integrates innovative teaching methods. According to the website of the German Sport University Cologne, the program aims to prepare students for the challenges of the future. These include, among other things, the prevention of lack of exercise and the promotion of social integration and social cohesion.

A total of 20,000 euros is available for the funding program, which should be divided between a maximum of five projects. These financial resources are planned for the period from August 2025 to March 2026, with an application opportunity for DSHS teachers until June 30, 2025. The funded projects are supported by teaching load relief, external coaching and travel allowances. Another call for lecturers who want to teach in the summer semester of 2026 is planned for November 2025.

Integration of future-relevant topics

The topics of the program reflect current social challenges. This includes not only health promotion in an aging population, but also aspects of sustainable living and digitalization. These focal points are essential in order to remain relevant and adapt teaching to the needs of the future. According to n-ag.de the program is seen as a significant step towards strengthening the students' future skills.

A trend in the German education system that is derived from these initiatives is the decentralized structure of educational offerings: the federal states have cultural sovereignty and are responsible for designing their education systems. These developments were also discussed in connection with the so-called Education Future Mission, which aims to combat the shortage of teachers and secure skilled workers for the future. According to openpr.de This mission also includes the promotion of future skills, which are to be taught primarily at universities.

Promoting integration and MINT skills

The integration of extracurricular educational opportunities into everyday life shows the desire to improve training. One of the four alliances within the Future Education Mission focuses specifically on promoting MINT specialists. The university thus becomes part of a larger network that is committed to the development and implementation of innovative educational concepts. Andrea Frank, deputy general secretary of the Stifterverband, emphasizes the importance of cooperation between science, business, education and civil society.

With the new funding program at the German Sport University Cologne, teachers can actively contribute to developments in the education system. The goal is not only to increase the quality of teaching, but also to respond directly to the challenges that future generations will have to deal with. All DSHS departments that would like to develop innovative solutions for the topics addressed are invited to participate in the program.