In the main competition: An entry that was published between March 14, 2024 and April 30, 2025 and is publicly accessible via a link. The entry does not have to have been produced explicitly for Fast Forward Science.

For the special prizes for Best Debut: A contribution from channels whose first post was not published before March 14, 2024. Any contribution from the channel uploaded between March 14, 2024 and April 30, 2025 can be submitted.

For the YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD and the special prize for the BEST DEBÜT in the video category, we are looking for moving image contributions, such as YouTube videos, Insta Stories, TikToks or Twitch streams. The entries must have been published on a social media platform.

The AUDIO AWARD and the special prize for the BEST DEBÜT in the audio category recognize scientific audio contributions of all kinds. Here, the restriction to social media is lifted; it is important that there are interaction options for the listeners, such as liking or commenting.

For the Special Energy Award, we are looking for creative, scientifically sound multimedia contributions that deal with energy, the sustainable use of resources and the transformation of our energy supply.

In order to be able to clearly assign your entry, you must indicate that you are submitting this entry to our competition. There are two ways to do this:

1. In the first sentence of the entry description, reference must be made to your participation in the Fast Forward Science 2025 competition and the link www.fastforwardscience.de must be included. In addition, there is a hashtag for each award for which entries are submitted, which should also appear in the entry: #YoungScientistAward, #AudioAward, #bBestDebutAudio, #BestDebutVideo or #SpecialEnergyAward
2. If the description of your entry can no longer be edited afterwards, as is the case with publications on X, for example, you can either comment on and pin the description under your own entry or repost it with the description.

The content must be adult-friendly and free from third-party rights, must not infringe any personal rights and must not violate copyright law. It should also be free of violent, sexist and discriminatory content and not reinforce stereotypes. Gender and diversity aspects should be taken into account in the contributions. If the entries address topics relating to physical or mental health, the description of the entry should include help websites or emergency numbers and a trigger warning at the beginning of the entry. The terms and conditions of the competition apply.

Each person or team may submit a maximum of three entries.

A topic that is currently being researched. The focus should clearly be on current research and science.

The Special Energy Award is particularly special, as we are looking for entries that deal with energy, the sustainable use of resources and the transformation of our energy supply.

Fast Forward Science is all about science and research. It is good scientific practice to cite sources. Therefore, please cite sources in your article that support your statements and/or lead to further information (e.g. in the article description).

The YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD for scientific video contributions is divided into the SHORT category and the LONG category. In the SHORT category, contributions up to 3 minutes are permitted, in the LONG category from 3 minutes. There is no length limit in the LONG category or for the AUDIO AWARD and the special awards.

German or English with German subtitles.

The submitted entry must not have been created in cooperation with media houses or companies and / or streaming services

Paid or unpaid product placements by or for third parties within the submitted articles or in the article description are not permitted at Fast Forward Science. Exceptions can be found in the conditions of participation.

For the YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD and the special prize BEST DEBÜT VIDEO, all entries submitted will be judged according to three criteria: content, comprehensibility and structure/comprehensibility. An average score is calculated from the evaluations of these three criteria. In addition to the three evaluation criteria, the jury can award 0.5 points on the average score for the “activation” criterion. For the AUDIO AWARD and the special prize BEST DEBÜT AUDIO, the following three criteria also apply to all entries submitted: Content, comprehensibility, structure/comprehensibility. In addition to these content criteria, the presentation and accessibility of the entries are also included in the evaluation. This criterion is weighted by a factor of 0.5. An average score is calculated from the assessments of these four criteria. In addition to the three evaluation criteria, the jury can award 0.5 points on the average score for the “Activation” criterion. For the Special Energy Award, the three evaluation criteria of content, comprehensibility and originality apply.

Where possible, use the following keywords or hashtags: Fast Forward Science, competition, science, science, knowledge, Wisskomm, Wissenschaft im Dialog.

Use the hashtag #FFSci and the hashtag of the award you are applying for (e.g. #YoungScientistAward, #AudioAward, #BestDebutAudio #BestDebutVideo,#SpecialEnergyAward) and link us if your entry appears on Instagram, X or TikTok.

Enable the comment function on your post so that a dialog with your audience is possible.

If possible, publish the article under the Creative Commons license CC-BY so that it can be freely used and redistributed. You can read why this is important here.