How did Niels Bohr’s institute support younger physicists with new ideas?

Niels Bohr founded his Institute for Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen with the explicit ambition of creating a space where the younger generation of physicists could propose and develop fresh ideas.1

The institute fostered this environment through what became known as the "Copenhagen Spirit," a unique social and intellectual milieu characterized by a completely informal atmosphere. This setting allowed physicists to engage in open, rigorous discussions about physics without the distraction of other concerns.2

Bohr actively supported young talent by providing them with the opportunity to work closely with him, a privilege that proved instrumental in the development of revolutionary concepts. For instance, Werner Heisenberg served as Bohr’s assistant during the 1926–27 academic year, a period during which he formulated the uncertainty principle. By prioritizing both experimental testing and theoretical innovation, Bohr’s institute became a world-leading center that successfully nurtured the next generation of scientific pioneers.213