General Terms and Conditions (GTC)
National Institute for Science Communication gGmbH (hereinafter: NaWik)
NaWik offers various forms of continuing professional development, including live events such as workshops and lectures (in-person and online), digital e-learning courses, as well as evaluation and consultancy services. These may differ in their respective formats and terms and conditions.
NaWik’s services are primarily aimed at universities and research institutions, as well as their researchers, public relations officers and other interested parties.
Unless explicitly agreed otherwise, all services provided by NaWik are subject to these ‘General Terms and Conditions’.
Placing an Order
NaWik prepares quotations from which the contracting party may select and place an order or accept a quotation. The contract is concluded upon acceptance of the quotation.
E-learning courses can be accessed directly via the NaWik webshop. In this case, the booking is made directly during the booking process. The contract is concluded upon electronic booking or the release of the access details.
Right of withdrawal for consumers
If the contracting party is a consumer within the meaning of Section 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB), they are entitled to a statutory right of withdrawal under Sections 312g and 355 of the BGB in the case of contracts concluded away from business premises and distance contracts (in particular when booking e-learning courses via the online shop). The details are set out in the separate cancellation policy, which is made available to the consumer prior to the conclusion of the contract and forms an integral part of the contract.
In the case of contracts for the provision of digital content that is not supplied on a physical data carrier (e-learning), the right of withdrawal under Section 356(5) of the German Civil Code (BGB) lapses once NaWik has commenced performance of the contract, provided that the consumer has expressly consented to performance commencing before the expiry of the withdrawal period, has confirmed their awareness that consenting to the commencement of performance results in the loss of the right of withdrawal, and NaWik has provided the consumer with confirmation of this.
Registration/Access to E-Learning Courses
To use NaWik’s e-learning courses, users must register with their details during the booking process and create a personal account. Upon booking a NaWik e-learning course via the online shop, each user receives personal access to it.
NaWik is entitled to suspend access to the e-learning courses without giving reasons if the user breaches these Terms and Conditions or falls into arrears despite receiving a reminder. The user will be notified of an impending suspension by email, giving reasonable notice.
Every user is entitled to delete their e-learning account at any time and without giving reasons. However, deleting the account does not release the user from any payment obligations.
The processing of users’ personal data is always carried out in compliance with statutory provisions. Further information on data protection can be found in our Privacy Policy on the NaWik website.
Scope of Services and Services Provided by NaWik
Live events: The scope of services described in the quotation or order confirmation is binding. For the event described, NaWik provides lecturers who are qualified in terms of subject matter and teaching methodology and – unless otherwise agreed – accompanying materials and, where applicable, exercises for the participants.
E-learning: NaWik offers digital learning resources on various topics. For the course described, NaWik provides self-study modules comprising videos featuring experts, animations, text and graphic content, all of which have been reviewed by NaWik in terms of subject matter and teaching methodology. In addition to the learning modules, supporting materials and exercises are made available to participants.
NaWik endeavours to ensure that access to the e-learning content is available at all times, i.e. 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. However, availability at all times is expressly not guaranteed. In particular, access may be temporarily restricted for technical reasons, such as necessary maintenance and repair work.
Evaluation and consultancy services: The scope of services comprises the provision of client-specific evaluation and consultancy services based on a prior request from the client. The nature, scope and objective of the services are agreed on a case-by-case basis. There is no entitlement to general or ongoing consultancy services.
Course content, right to make changes and use of teaching materials
In the context of its continuing professional development programmes, NaWik expressly reserves the right to amend, supplement or delete parts or all of the content of individual workshops, lectures and e-learning courses, or to suspend their provision temporarily or permanently, without prior notice. Users will be notified in advance by email of the permanent discontinuation of a course.
NaWik is entitled to make any necessary changes or adjustments to the content, methodology and organisation before or during the e-learning courses, provided that these do not significantly alter the benefit of the advertised course for the participant.
The disclosure of teaching materials or content to third parties, or their public dissemination or making them available to the public, is prohibited.
Contributions by the client
Live events:For face-to-face events, the client shall provide NaWik with the necessary infrastructure in the form of suitable premises, working materials and equipment, provided that the event is not held on NaWik’s premises and/or using NaWik’s working materials and equipment. NaWik shall provide the infrastructure for online workshops itself.
E-learning: The client shall ensure that they have the necessary infrastructure in the form of a web-based learning platform, provided that the event is not held on NaWik’s premises and/or using NaWik’s working materials and equipment.
Evaluation and consultancy services: The client shall provide the contractor with all information, documentation and contact details required for the provision of services in a timely and complete manner. Delays or additional costs arising from late or incomplete cooperation on the part of the client shall not be borne by the contractor.
Terms and Conditions
Prices: The prices and terms set out in the quotation and order confirmation, or in the e-learning booking process, shall apply. All prices are net, plus the applicable statutory value added tax.
Unless otherwise agreed, travel, accommodation and other external costs will be invoiced separately.
Invoicing and Due Date:
Live events: Invoices will be issued once the service has been provided in full. Partial invoices may be agreed. Payments are due immediately without deduction.
E-learning: When booking via the online shop, the service is generally made available upon advance payment. Where no advance payment is required due to a group booking or individual agreements, invoicing takes place once the access details have been provided. Payments are due immediately without deduction.
Evaluation and consultancy services: Unless expressly agreed in writing, the contractor is under no obligation to achieve any specific economic, technical or other outcome. Additional services going beyond the originally agreed scope of services, in particular those resulting from subsequent requests by the client for changes or extensions, shall be remunerated separately. The service shall be deemed to have been performed as soon as the agreed results, recommendations or analyses have been made available to the client.
Late payment/set-off: In the event of late payment, the contractor is entitled to temporarily suspend further services and access to e-learning programmes until payment has been settled in full.
Set-off is only permitted against undisputed or legally established claims, or against claims arising from the same contractual relationship.
Termination / Cancellation / Rescheduling
Live events: If the contracting party withdraws from parts of the contract or cancels the contract, NaWik is, in principle – unless otherwise agreed – entitled to invoice costs and expenses incurred up to the date of termination, as well as lost revenue resulting from staff bookings or similar, up to the full value of the contract. The contracting party reserves the right to prove that NaWik has suffered no loss or a significantly lower loss.
The following different provisions apply to the ‘open online workshops’ listed below for individual bookers: For these, the contracting party may cancel up to three weeks before the start of the respective event, subject to a cancellation fee of 195.00 euros per participant. A fee of 195.00 euros per participant applies for rebookings of these open online workshops by the contracting party. If the contracting party cancels their participation in an open online workshop with less than three weeks’ notice prior to the start of the event, the full participation fee is payable.
NaWik reserves the right to cancel confirmed bookings or parts thereof for good cause prior to the start of the respective event. In such cases, NaWik will endeavour to offer the contracting party alternatives. Further claims for damages are excluded – to the extent permitted by law. In the event of cancellation or cancellation of an event due to force majeure (e.g. illness of the lecturer), no claims for compensation may be made against NaWik.
E-learning: Once the login details have been sent, a refund of the booking fee is generally excluded, unless use of the login details has been prevented or the content cannot be provided as agreed.
Evaluation and consultancy services: Ordinary termination or cancellation of services already commissioned is excluded, insofar as permitted by law or not expressly agreed. The right to terminate the contract for cause remains unaffected. In the event of a termination or withdrawal permitted by law, the client must pay in full for services already rendered, as well as for expenses already incurred and third-party services that can no longer be cancelled.
Venue for in-person events
The venue shall be agreed between the client and NaWik in good time before the start of the event. A change of venue, even at short notice, is possible provided that the service provider can travel to the venue within normal working hours and the provision of the service is not jeopardised.
Use of NaWik’s e-learning resources
Each participant will be provided with personal access details by NaWik. Use of the e-learning platform is restricted to that participant and to the period specified in advance. Passing on access details to third parties is expressly prohibited.
Liability
NaWik shall only be liable to the client for intentional or grossly negligent conduct, regardless of the legal grounds. The personal liability of NaWik employees or subcontractors acting as vicarious agents on behalf of NaWik is excluded. NaWik shall not be liable for indirect damages, e.g. consequential damages, pure financial losses or loss of profit.
Liability for injury to life, limb or health remains unaffected by this exclusion.
In the event of a breach of a material contractual obligation (cardinal obligation) due to slight negligence – the fulfilment of which is essential for the proper performance of the contract and on the observance of which the contracting party may reasonably rely – NaWik’s liability shall be limited to the amount of damage typical for this type of contract and foreseeable at the time the contract was concluded. Liability under the Product Liability Act and on the basis of any guarantee given remains unaffected.
No liability is accepted for materials brought in by participants or clients during a training course.
As learning success is largely determined by the learning environment and the participants themselves (e.g. through their prior knowledge and willingness to participate), NaWik cannot guarantee learning success.
The documents provided as part of the training programme are prepared to the best of our knowledge and belief. Liability and any warranty regarding the accuracy, timeliness, completeness and quality of the content are excluded.
Consent to a customer survey
Upon completion of the service, NaWik may send a quality assurance survey by email to the client. The legal basis for this is NaWik’s legitimate interest in improving its services (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) and, where applicable, Section 7(3) of the Unfair Competition Act (UWG). Participation in the survey is voluntary. Participation in the survey is voluntary. The data collected will be used exclusively in-house for quality analysis and to improve our services, and will not be passed on to third parties. The client may object to receiving these communications at any time and without giving reasons, without incurring any costs other than the transmission costs at standard rates, in particular by sending an email to kontakt@nawik.de or via the unsubscribe link contained in every email. The right to object is highlighted in every message.
Invitations to general surveys sent by email are based on NaWik’s legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR); where consent is required by law, such communications will only be sent if the client has previously given their separate and explicit consent.
Specific obligations of NaWik
NaWik undertakes to treat all information – of whatever nature – concerning participants and the clients’ business and/or operational matters as confidential.
Copyright
All documents, concepts, drafts, presentations, as well as audio, video and other content provided in the course of the service provision are subject to copyright and, unless expressly agreed otherwise, remain the property of the contractor. The client is granted only a simple, non-transferable right of use for the purpose specified in the contract. Any reproduction, adaptation, translation, distribution, publication or other use – including in part and, in particular, for the purpose of the client’s own teaching or training programmes – requires the prior written consent of the contractor. Audio and video material provided must not be extracted, copied, altered or deleted.
Miscellaneous
Any amendments or additions to these terms and conditions must be made in writing. This also applies to any waiver of the requirement for written form.
The assignment of rights and claims arising from a concluded contract requires the written consent of the other party.
The invalidity of individual provisions shall not affect the validity of the remainder of these General Terms and Conditions. In such a case, the parties shall agree on a replacement provision that corresponds as closely as possible to the meaning and purpose of the previous provision.
Agreements made individually and set out in writing shall take precedence over these ‘General Terms and Conditions’.
Place of jurisdiction
The place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with an order placed with NaWik is Heidelberg, provided that the contracting party is a business or a public-law institution.
As of June 2026
Nationales Institut für Wissenschaftskommunikation gGmbH
Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg 33
69118 Heidelberg
Tel +49 721 60841654
Fax +49 721 60841651
kontakt@nawik.de
Mannheim Local Court, HRB 714655
Managing Director: Dr Philipp Niemann
