InZuKo is a networking and innovation platform at the University of Cologne where faculty, students, staff, and experts collaborate to develop skills relevant to the future. Our goal is to use co-creative methods to develop innovative, research-based teaching and learning opportunities and experiences for various target groups. In doing so, we also aim to connect stakeholders both within and outside the university and create a framework for agile and innovative collaboration.

Building on three key concepts, we operate across three pillars, within which we will offer support formats for the development of research-based teaching and learning programs in addition to our focus topic programs, and provide an openly accessible teaching and learning program. The project is based in the Office of the Vice President for Teaching and Student Affairs at the Platform for Teaching and Learning and is funded by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education.

InZuKo has just launched as a third-party funded project, and “Artificial Intelligence in Education” is the first focus topic program. We view further development as an integral part of the process. For this reason, the first focus topic program is intentionally designed to serve as a development and prototyping phase for future focus programs. We therefore welcome the participation of individuals who wish to help shape this development phase with us.

InZuKo — the Innovation Platform for Future-Relevant Competencies — supports teaching at the University of Cologne in adapting to the rapidly changing professional and social landscape. We create space for transformative ideas to promote research-based teaching and foster collaboration on the design of effective teaching.

Our goal is to systematically embed future-relevant competencies at the University of Cologne, to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, and to better prepare learners—both within and outside the University of Cologne—for the complex challenges of the present and the future. In doing so, InZuKo connects stakeholders, makes teaching and learning visible, and creates ideal conditions for the joint development and expansion of future-relevant competencies.

InZuKo offers a range of programs and services to support all members of the University of Cologne in achieving InZuKo’s goals. These are organized into three pillars.

In Pillar 1, within the Focus Programs (FP), stakeholders (faculty, students, staff) at the University of Cologne are supported as they develop future-relevant competencies in interdisciplinary teams. This process also generates learning experiences that are published in Pillar 3.

Pillar 2 aims to promote teaching and learning innovations across the entire university. Stakeholders involved in teaching—including those from the FPs—are supported through various offerings, formats, and services. Pillar 2 also pools existing expertise and resources at the University of Cologne and promotes research-based learning and teaching (FnLL) and Learning Experience Design (LXD).

Pillar 3 establishes an open teaching and learning offering (LLA) that encompasses various learning experiences. These include learning experiences provided by InZuKo on topics related to the platform itself, such as foresight and futures studies, Learning Experience Design, or research-based learning and teaching. However, the learning experiences and materials developed within the FPs are also made available here.

InZuKo offers a wide range of advisory and support services designed to help promote future-oriented skills and create innovative learning experiences. These services are aimed at both participants in the Focus Program (FP) and stakeholders within and outside the University of Cologne. The program is currently under development and will continue to evolve over the course of the project.

Exclusive offers for the FP team

• Access to InZuKo’s infrastructure: creative spaces, educational technology, licenses, and access

• Disciplinary and pedagogical futures and innovation research: in future workshops and other formats

• Support and learning opportunities in the areas of Learning Experience Design (LXD), futures studies, and research-based teaching and learning (FnLL)

• Consulting on the implementation of innovative learning experiences.

Opportunities for individuals within and outside the University of Cologne

• Supporting faculty in integrating future-relevant competencies and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (STL) into (existing) teaching
• Promoting faculty professional development through events and learning opportunities on topics such as future-relevant competencies, STL, LXD, and futures studies
• Participatory and workshop-oriented formats (e.g., curriculum workshop, LXD workshop, seminar, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning colloquium, future workshop)
• Individual consulting (e.g., EdTech, methodology, and OER consulting).

We define competencies as future-relevant if they

• will become scientifically and socially significant over the next 5 to 10 years, as they are essential for confident action and impact;

• are often cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary, but can be approached from a subject-specific perspective;

• are characterized by their topicality and the need for critical scientific engagement, and are ideally suited to be addressed through research-oriented teaching and learning.

By “learning experiences,” we mean all processes in which individuals learn—that is, acquire or deepen their competencies. Learning experiences can arise in a wide variety of contexts. These include teaching and learning opportunities, such as courses, self-study programs, or digital learning materials. However, a handout, a professional development program, or the documentation of a project design can also be considered a learning experience.

As a result of the Focus Program (FP), each project should yield a learning experience that can subsequently be made publicly available, ideally as an Open Educational Resource (OER). The form this learning experience takes depends heavily on the specific project. InZuKo offers participants appropriate guidance for implementation.

Possible formats include, for example:

• Courses

• Teaching and learning materials

• Self-paced courses

• Handouts

• Dossiers / portfolios for presenting a concept

Courses will ideally be held in the winter semester of 2025/2026 or the summer semester of 2026.

The Focus Programs (FP) each focus on a specific topic and the associated future-oriented competencies, which serve as the foundation for developing innovative learning experiences. The FTP is a funding program in which you, as innovators, can work on a project idea related to the focus topic “Artificial Intelligence in Education” (in F P 1). Over a period of 6–9 months, participants collaborate across organizational levels and disciplines to learn about and work on the focus topic, both as a team and independently. As an FTP participant, you will further develop your idea or project over the course of the program and can draw on the numerous advisory and support services offered by InZuKo. By the end of the program, you will have developed your idea into a learning experience that will then be publicly available on our platform.

The Focus Programs (FP) are open to all members of the University of Cologne. Faculty, students, staff, and experts are warmly invited to submit their ideas and implement them as projects during the course of the FP. These ideas can come from a wide variety of areas—such as academic studies, teaching, research, continuing education, or strategy and structure. The selection process prioritizes thematic relevance, feasibility, and inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.

For example, this could involve the concrete planning of a course for the upcoming semester, the design of a micro-degree, the completion of a seminar paper, the development of an internal administrative training program, or the creation of learning materials on a topic close to one’s heart.

At the end of the FP, the projects are to be made available to a broad public as a learning experience, thereby contributing to the development of future-relevant competencies. For projects where conceptualization is the primary focus during the FP’s duration, the results may also be documented in the form of materials such as dossiers or portfolios.

The first set of focus topics was determined during the application process. All subsequent focus topics will be determined over the course of the project, particularly through foresight and future studies.

The Focus Program (FP) offers four different roles for participation. The FP is carried out by an interdisciplinary, cross-level FP team, typically consisting of 2 Fellows, 2 student Changemakers, and 4 team members.

Fellowships are aimed at faculty members who explore a new focus topic academically and translate it into innovative, research-based learning experiences. In the FP, they develop the focus topic academically during the preparatory phase. As student changemakers, students can gain further qualifications, actively contribute their perspectives to the FP, and also work on their own projects.

Participation as a team member is a flexible way to acquire skills and contribute expertise to the FP. This opportunity is open to all members of the University of Cologne.

As an associate, you can participate in the FP even without funding, giving you access to advisory and support services, the opportunity to attend individual events and workshops, and the chance to contribute your expertise.

By participating in the FP, you can develop your own project idea through a co-creative and interdisciplinary process—or actively contribute to others’ projects. As part of a cross-functional team, you’ll develop transformative ideas for innovative teaching and gain valuable skills.

• You’ll work in an agile and co-creative setting within an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary team, gaining new perspectives in the process.

• Through exclusive access to the InZuKo infrastructure, InZuKo’s consulting and support services, and funding opportunities, you can optimally implement and further develop your projects.

• You will acquire skills in the areas of learning experience design, research-based learning and teaching, futures studies, and artificial intelligence.

• You will have access to a strong network of experts and additional networking opportunities provided by InZuKo. After completing the FP, you can also actively participate in the expert network yourself.

• Your work and expertise will be made accessible to a broad public through InZuKo’s communication channels and events, allowing you to showcase your expertise.

• Upon completion of the FP, you will receive a microcredential that certifies your competencies.

This first focus programme will be held exclusively in German. Future focus programme events will also offer sessions in English.

As a fellow, you will play a central role in shaping the program’s academic direction and help generate both theoretical and practical insights for the community. Starting in the preparatory phase, you will be involved in exploring the focus topic “Artificial Intelligence in Education” and will work with InZuKo—in collaboration with future studies experts—to lay the groundwork for the topic. This results in a scientifically grounded dossier that serves as the basis for the FP team’s work on the respective projects.

The fellowships are aimed at educators who wish to explore new focus topics from a scientific perspective and translate them into innovative, research-based learning experiences. In addition to your independent project work, you will participate in a supporting program featuring a kickoff and closing event as well as other mandatory sessions.

Participation as a Fellow is possible on a part-time basis but requires continuous commitment throughout the entire program duration. Prerequisites include an interest in the topic, a passion for collaborative work, openness to experimentation, and a willingness to develop innovative teaching and learning opportunities and to sustainably anchor the topics of AI in education, innovative teaching, and future-relevant competencies at the University of Cologne.

As student changemakers, students can gain additional qualifications, actively contribute their perspectives to the Focus Program (FP), and work on their own projects at the same time. The time commitment required to participate in the FP is easily compatible with a degree program and takes into account a reasonable workload for students. Different conditions apply for participation as doctoral students. Please read the section “Can I apply for the FP as a doctoral student?” for more information.

As a student changemaker, you can work on your own projects or collaborate on projects within the FP team. In addition to your independent project work, you will participate in a supporting program that includes a kickoff and closing event, as well as other mandatory sessions.

There is the option to participate via a contract as a research assistant. The individually agreed hourly rate will be applied to the work on the project. In this arrangement, we can offer more support options, particularly regarding funding.

Upon completion of the FP, all participants will receive a microcredential certifying their participation in the program and the skills they have acquired.

There are no specific prerequisites for participation. However, you should have an interest in the topic, enthusiasm for the format, and a corresponding level of commitment.

Participating as a team member is a flexible way to develop skills and contribute your expertise to the Focus Program (FP). This opportunity is open to all members of the University of Cologne.

As a team member, you can pursue your own project or participate in the projects of other FP participants. As a team member, you have access to some of the FP’s events and formats. You may also receive support on a smaller scale.

There are no specific academic prerequisites for participation. However, you should have an interest in the topic, enthusiasm for the format, and a corresponding level of commitment.

As an Associate, you can participate in the Focus Program (FP) and individual workshops—even without funding—and contribute your expertise. This also gives you access to InZuKo’s advisory and support services. There are no specific academic prerequisites for participation. However, you should have an interest in the topic, be enthusiastic about the format, and demonstrate a commitment to the program.

This form of participation may also be of interest to those who wish to support someone in a different role (e.g., as a Fellow) within the FP. To do so, please apply using the form.

Ph.D. students at the University of Cologne are also welcome to participate in the FP as fellows, team members, or associates. If you are also a faculty member, you are eligible to serve as a fellow.

Being part of the Focus Program team means actively contributing to a shared space for research and experimentation characterized by dedication,a spirit of collaboration, and curiosity. A strong interest in the topics and goals of the Focus Program forms the foundation of your role within the team. You are motivated to explore questions about the future and to develop innovative learning experiences.

We expect all members to be willing to pursue further education. In addition, a continuous commitment throughout the entire program duration is required. Participation in the FP includes taking part in the accompanying program with kick-off and closing events, as well as other formats and events, the number of which varies depending on your role. At the same time, you will work independently on your project during this period. Participation is possible on a part-time basis or alongside your studies.

The FP is open to members of the University of Cologne across all stakeholder groups.

InZuKo provides funding to individuals participating in the FP, but not to projects. Fellows, student change-makers, and team members are eligible to receive individual funding packages. This funding consists of a set of measures tailored to specific needs. The scope and content of the funding vary depending on the role. After selection by the FP team, the specific details of the funding are agreed upon with InZuKo. Funding may include, for example, support from staff, external services, professional development, or coverage of technology, travel, and publication costs.

In addition to the packages, all participants receive access to exclusive events and the InZuKo network, to the platform’s infrastructure (e.g., creative spaces, educational technology, licenses, and software access), as well as support and learning opportunities. Through the platform’s communication channels, all participants can also showcase their work. Upon completion of the program, they receive a microcredential for participating in the FP. The results (e.g., learning experience, contribution, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning project) of the FPs will be published as Open Educational Resources (OER) under Pillar 3.

In addition, participants can take advantage of the counseling and support services.

Yes, that is possible! However, only individuals are eligible for funding under the Focus Program (FP). If you are working on an existing project with several people, you may participate under certain conditions:

• Similarly, multiple participants can each apply for different roles within the FP and receive individual funding while working together on the project.

• Finally, there is the option for individuals to take on funded roles while other participants join as Associates. Associates do not receive financial support but have access to selected events and support services.

If multiple associates apply, we cannot guarantee that all applications will be selected.

If you are involved in an existing project with multiple project partners, you may apply to the FP as an individual with this project. Funding can only cover you personally.

As a member of the University of Cologne, you can apply for one of the roles on the Focus Program (FP) team by February 3, 2026. In your application, please specify which role you would like to fill and, if available, outline your project idea. Submitted applications will be reviewed based on qualitative criteria. If we have any questions about the project, we reserve the right to contact you. This ensures that no ideas are excluded due to ambiguities. The FP team is expected to be selected from among the applicants in February 2026. Further information regarding the process and individual funding will be provided thereafter.

If you have any further questions or would like personalized advice, please contact us at inzuko-ftp@uni-koeln.de .

InZuKo thrives on active participation: All members of the university, as well as a growing network of experts, are invited to contribute ideas and get actively involved.
Even without a specific project idea, you can participate in the Focus Program (FP).

• As a student changemaker or team member, you can also participate in projects within the FP team.

• As an associate, you can also exchange ideas with the FP team, participate in FP workshops and events, and gain access to support services—even without your own project idea.