HFMI Autumn Community Meeting 2025

In May 2024, the Helmholtz Association took a significant step in advancing artificial intelligence research by launching its Foundation Model Initiative. This ambitious program aims to support the development of foundation models for groundbreaking scientific research. The initiative began with four pilot projects and the establishment of a Synergy Unit, designed to address overarching challenges and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. A second call for proposals was announced later in 2024, with three projects from that iteration starting at the beginning of this year.

The autumn edition of the bi-annual HFMI Community meeting is taking place on October 14 and aims to bring together scientists working on foundation models from the Helmholtz pilot projects and beyond, facilitating networking and idea exchange. 

Deadline for registration: October 10, 2025

Monday, October 13

19:30

Networking dinner    Flavour of India, Aachener Str. 16, 50674 Köln

Tuesday, October 14

Time	Agenda Item
8:30	Registration opens
9:00	Welcome and agenda - Eirini Kouskoumvekaki (HFMI- Synergy Unit)
9:10	Updates from pilot projects: Savvas Melidonis (HClimRep) Le Yang (SOL-AI) Constantin Ulrich/Fabian Isensee (THRP) Dagmar Kainmueller/Lisa Mais (AqQua) Gunjan Joshi/Josh Hashemi (3D-ABC) Alina Bazarova (PROFOUND) Mojtaba Bahrami (VirtualCell)
10:20	Coffee break
10:45	Speed dating, part 1
11:30	Presentation of FM4Earth&Environment - Timm Schöning (GEOMAR)
12:30	Lunch and Group Photo
13:30	Updates from the Head Office - Florian Grötsch (Helmholtz Head Office)
13:45	Intro to World Cafe topics - Eirini Kouskoumvekaki (HFMI- Synergy Unit)
14:00	World Cafe
15:00	Coffee break
15:30	Speed dating, part 2
16:15	Plenary discussion: HFMI Beyond the Pilot Phase Moderator: Florian Grötsch (Helmholtz Head Office)
17:00	Wrap-up & End of event

Important info from the venue: 

Those attending enter the foyer via the entrance on the right, at the corner of the building. When you ring the bell for "Meeting Spaces", the door opens automatically, after a few seconds, with a “beep”. There is a screen in the foyer, on the right, where participants can see which room has been booked for our meeting. The room booked for our event (“Das Ultra Loft”) is on the 2nd floor. A key is required to use the elevator. If anyone should need this key, please call (0221-9859 3093) and the elevator will be sent down and/or up. Alternatively, the stairs can also be used.