DFG–Fraunhofer Trilateral Transfer Projects (2026 call)

The DFG–Fraunhofer Trilateral Transfer Projects programme funds collaborative projects that develop results from DFG-funded research toward application, aiming to close gaps between basic research and practical use. Projects require a consortium of a DFG-funded university/HAW/FH partner, a Fraunhofer institute partner, and an application partner from industry or other user domains, and must build on results at least at TRL 4 progressing toward demonstrator/prototype (TRL 6–7). Project duration may be up to three years and funded activities are governed by a trilateral cooperation agreement using the provided template.

Funding for collaborative transfer projects (project costs for university and Fraunhofer partners), support to develop demonstrators/prototypes, and facilitation of academic–industry transfer under a trilateral cooperation agreement.

Eligible applicants are researchers at universities/HAW/FH (DFG-funded) together with Fraunhofer institute partners and an application partner. The DFG predecessor project upon which the proposal builds should generally have ended no more than two years prior. Collaborations where the same researcher is also employed at the partnering Fraunhofer institute are excluded.

Two-phase submission: Phase 1—project sketch (max. 5 pages plus CVs) by 1 Sept 2026 and peer review; selected consortia will be invited to submit full proposals. Phase 2—full proposal and signed cooperation agreement by 10 Mar 2027, followed by review and decision (expected July 2027).