KIT nova: Space to explore your next idea
A house full of projects empowering students with future skills
This is what it's all about
Meeting the challenges of tomorrow’s society requires more than technical expertise. It demands the ability to turn ideas into action, navigate uncertainty, think critically and systemically, and collaborate across disciplines. Creativity, abstraction, and co-creation are becoming essential for developing innovative and sustainable solutions. KIT nova, a newly established six-story innovation hub at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is designed to foster exactly these capabilities. Centered around project-based learning, it offers a vibrant environment where students, lecturers, and industry partners come together to prototype, experiment, and grow. Equipped with a fully functional makerspace, dedicated project workspaces, and flexible collaboration areas, KIT nova enables hands-on learning and interdisciplinary problem-solving across STEM fields—and beyond.
What we already achieved
Phase 1: Concept and Construction (2021–2026)
The foundation of KIT nova was laid through the development of an interdisciplinary, project-based usage concept. With strong support from the state of Baden-Württemberg, industry partners, and foundations, a 4,600 m² space was envisioned and built to serve as a future-oriented environment for education and collaboration.
What we want to achieve
Phase 2: Ramp-Up (2026–2030)
With the opening of KIT nova, the next chapter begins: transforming education through project-based learning and creating a platform where innovative formats converge under one roof. This phase activates the full potential of the infrastructure, making it accessible to a broad community of students, lecturers, and industry partners.
KIT nova is evolving into a central hub for both curricular and extracurricular project-based learning. Its mission is to integrate hands-on, collaborative formats into the academic journey—empowering students to explore, experiment, and innovate. KIT nova also supports lecturers in reimagining their teaching concepts and embedding them within the ecosystem.
Empowering students to bring their ideas to life is at the heart of KIT nova. The makerspace will be widely accessible, offering training programs that teach students how to use the tools and machines. Workshops will guide students on their journey from learners to creators, inspiring creativity and confidence.
Students will gain access to advanced digital tools and resources, including AI, cloud computing credits, APIs for large language models, and immersive environments like a VR lab. In addition to these offerings, operations at KIT nova will be digitized. Streamlined digital workflows will enhance efficiency and make KIT nova a truly smart platform.
KIT nova will cultivate a vibrant community of students, faculty, industry partners, and societal stakeholders. Through events, peer learning formats, and student coaching, this community will evolve into a collaborative network where people learn from one another, share knowledge, and co-create. The goal is to foster a culture of innovation and mutual support.
Facts and figures
2026 to 2030
Funding required:
€250,000 per year
Current sponsorships:
SEW Eurodrive, TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen, WiCAM Stiftung, Baden Württemberg Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Tourismus
Project responsibility KIT:
Dr. sc. Moritz Mußgnug (Contact Person)
Dr.-Ing. Matthias Eisenmann
"KIT nova represents a unique ecosystem for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching innovations. Here, learners can develop ideas, create new things, fail at challenges, and grow from them in a protected space. The building's design is a true showcase for KIT, opening the doors for public participation and inspiring people to get involved.“
Dr. sc. Moritz Mußgnug
- Co-Lead KIT nova -
