Great ideas often start small: with an observation, a question or a fresh perspective on a problem. That is exactly where the TU Idea Competition #deineIdee26 begins.
In 2026, HIGHEST, TU Darmstadt’s innovation and entrepreneurship centre, is once again inviting submissions from students and researchers with ideas that have real potential. Contributions are welcome from research, study and university life—ideas that can generate technical, societal, ecological or economic impact.
The competition is open to anyone looking to develop an initial thought into something more. It is not about having a fully developed concept from the outset. It is about ideas that are relevant, open up new perspectives and have the potential to make a difference.
“Thoughts become ideas, and ideas become innovations. No matter how unusual an idea may seem at first, it deserves to be heard. That is exactly why the TU Idea Competition exists. We are looking for the best ideas in two categories: students and researchers. We encourage everyone with a promising idea to take part,” says Professor Thomas Walther, Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs at TU Darmstadt.
Our Ambassadors 2026
The application deadline is 25 May 2026.