Be it the greater mouse-eared bat, the brown long-eared bat, the serotine bat or the common noctule – bats feel particularly at home in Berlin. 18 of the 25 species found in Germany, flutter through the capital. This year, the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) in Berlin launched a civic science research project to find out why so many bats live in the city and exactly where they move at night. Anyone wishing to take part can apply until 4th of August 2019.

Together we are stronger. And also more successful. As the "Berlin University Alliance," the Technische Universität Berlin, the Freie Universität Berlin, and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin applied for the title of Excellence University with the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The decision was made today: An international panel of experts has now selected the Berlin University Association for funding within the framework of the Excellence Strategy (ExStra) of the German federal and state governments. Great news for Brain City Berlin!

Berlin is one of the most water-rich cities in Germany. But climate change does not stop at the Havel, Spree or Wannsee either. Dr. Michael Hupfer is working at at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). In one of his current research projects at the IGB, the hydrobiologist is investigating the effects of climate change on urban lakes. In an interview, he tells us more about water warming, heavy rainfall, blue-green algae and fish mortality. And he explains what we can do on a small scale to relieve our water bodies. 

The last school day in Berlin is over. Finally summer holidays! But some students might get bored while swimming all day in the Havel or the Müggelsee. In this case there is a remedy: You can learn something wherever you want in the Brain City Berlin, even during the summertime! For example, the German Museum of Technology Berlin, the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, the HU Campus Adlershof or the Ottobock Science Center Berlin offer an exciting holiday programme for young researchers and curious parents. And it's free of charge - registration, however, is highly recommended.

The future of the city: what could it look like? That's what Berlin's CityLAB is busy thinking about and researching. The Berlin experimental laboratory was opened yesterday on the site of the former US officers' hotel at Tempelhof Airport.

Brain City Berlin is considered one of the leading locations in Germany working on artificial intelligence. About 30% of all German AI companies are located in the capital and almost half of the AI start-ups. An essential driver of this development: numerous institutions and universities are conducting high-level research in the development of innovative applications and solutions. For example, at the Dahlem Center for Machine Learning and Robotics (DCMLR): Among other things, they are working on making self-driving vehicles better. They're also using robots and AI to learn about bees and fish.