Funding
Alliance Translational Research Program
A significant obstacle to the development of early-stage discoveries is the lack of funding for risky and novel research and for the basic or translational studies needed to demonstrate the innovation’s potential or proof-of-concept (POC). The Alliance Translational Research Program provides funding and other support to help Alliance members identify promising biomedical projects with market potential within their labs and develop them to a stage where they are attractive to other funding sources such as public or private agencies, other institutional sources, or potentially industry.
Funding is provided exclusively for pre-commercial research projects.
Alliance Translational Program
Support to expedite early-stage research with eventual commercialization potential.
The call is currently open until April 15, 2026, 5pm (CEST).
It is open for members of Alliance institutions in Heidelberg and Mannheim only.
Two tracks exist:
• Pilot Track: Awarded concept and feasibility studies will be supported. Pilot awards will typically be used to support performance of a critical experiment or set of experiments to validate a therapeutics-related concept, a diagnostic method, assay or prototype with clear commercial relevance on small scale. For example, target validation studies or development and validation of an assay that would be used later for screening would both be in scope. Mechanistic inquiry like whole pathway validations to first detect the relevance of a signaling cascade for disease progression aimed at the detection of a new target is typically not in scope. Close interactions with advisors of the transfer and entrepreneurial support structures of the Alliance institutions is expected.
• Development Track: Projects at a more advanced stage of development which aim at preclinical proof of efficacy and safety in biological systems or animal models will be supported. The goal of the Development Track would be to deliver tangible results which provide a clear path to clinical or commercial development and increase confidence in the success and value of such development. As examples, in therapeutic development this might be done by screening chemical or biological hits and development of leads with activity in validated preclinical models. Close interactions with advisors of the transfer and entrepreneurial support structures of the Alliance institutions is expected and should be documented, e.g. by letters of support.
Application Process & Funding Criteria
• Applications are accepted by group leaders and postdocs of the Alliance with an entrepreneurial spirit who actively put their inventions into practice.
• Proposals need to clearly outline the innovative potential / potential path towards commercialization. Current IP status needs to be described and pre-discussed with the respective transfer office of the applicant’s Alliance institution.
• The selection criteria are scientific quality, (bio)medical need and impact, application, orientation of the research and the market potential of the intended product or approach. It will be assessed if the intended project work and the requested funds can achieve the most decisive development and validation step possible. The market readiness of a development is not a main criterion.
• The applications will undergo review by a committee strictly bound to confidentiality.
Apply by April 15, 5pm (CEST).
Contact
Dr. Camila Konietzko
Email: programs [at] health-life-sciences.de
Phone: +49 162 1933851