TRANSFER is the fifth funding line within the internal research funding program at Freie Universität Berlin.

This open-topic funding scheme supports the validation of research results for practical application and/or the preparation of their commercial exploitation. The aim is to acquire third-party funding—such as from public application- or commercialization-oriented funding programs or contract research with companies—as well as to generate medium-term revenue through the exploitation of intellectual property, including through research-based spin-offs.

Eligible activities may include:

• Assessment of technical feasibility (e.g., technical development, prototype creation, testing of potential processes),
• Patent analysis and protection (e.g., patent applications, analysis of the IP landscape)
• Demonstration of economic potential (e.g., market potential analysis, identification of commercialization partners, business model development)

Requirements: 

• All doctoral researchers employed at Freie Universität Berlin for the duration of the funding period are eligible to apply.

• Both technical and social innovations are supported.
  Social innovations refer to new social practices and organizational models that aim to find viable and sustainable solutions to societal challenges.

• Applicants must possess clearly defined, IP-based research results with high commercialization potential (e.g., IP-based technologies, copyrighted works and software, know-how or know-how-based materials).
  Freie Universität Berlin must hold a relevant share of ownership or exploitation rights.

Funding Conditions: 

• One-time funding of up to €40,000.

• Applicants may apply for the following modules:

  • B – Basis (Material costs, service contracts, funding for project-related travel) - Guideline (PDF) 
  • P – Personnel (Extension or top-up of existing employment contracts) - Guideline (PDF)
  • C – Coaching (Development of entrepreneurial competencies) - Guideline (PDF)
• The Coaching Module is a mandatory part of the funding line. It focuses on developing the entrepreneurial skills of the participating researchers through continuous coaching, training sessions, or workshops.

Application Process: 

Before submitting an application, a consultation with the Patent and Licensing Service as well as the VI A: Innovation and Transfer/SHIFT team is mandatory.
This consultation helps assess the commercialization potential of the research and to plan the coaching module.
Appointments can be scheduled through the office of the TRANSFER Committee. 

Applications (maximum of 3 pages plus CV) can be submitted electronically to transfer@forschung.fu-berlin.de by the specified deadlines. An application template is availanble as a PDF. 

Important Dates: 

Consultation Deadline	Application Deadline	Committee Meeting
by February 23rd, 2025	Sunday, March 9th, 2025	Tuesday, March 25th, 2025
by June 22nd, 2025	Sunday, July 6th, 2025	Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
by October 26th, 2025	Sunday, November 9th, 2025	Tuesday, November 25th, 2025

Contact Office of the TRANSFER Committee: 

Michelle Schmidt

Phone: (030) 838 72726

Email: michelle.schmidt@fu-berlin.de

Dr. -Ing. Stefan Knoll

Phone: (030) 838 60268

Email: stefan.knoll@fu-berlin.de