FHprofUnd - Research at Universities of Applied Sciences and Companies

Since 2004, cooperation projects of universities of applied science and enterprises have been supported in a pilot pahse of the FH³-programme. Universities of applied science are among the most valuable cooperation partners of small and medium enterprises (SME). A special accent of the programme therefore is the cooperation with SME's in the region that often lack research capacities of their own. As a result, universities of applied science can use their research and development potential much better to participate in larger research cooperation projects. At the same time, application-driven research projects strengthen the competitiveness of the regional economy.

Current activities

A first round of calls in 2007 produced 314 project proposals of 101 universities of applied science with a combined volume of about  70 mio. €. The proportion of female project directors amounted 13%. 75% of the proposals had an engineering background, 17% were from natural sciences and 8% from business administration departments. Altogether over 1.200 cooperation partners are involved in the proposals, among them over 600 SME's. 

The external scientific assessment of the projects was concluded in February 2007. In March and April, 106 research grants were approved, totalling 23,2 mio €.  Amongst the granted proposals are 15 projects with two, and one project with three cooperating universities of applied science.  440 further cooperation partners are involved in the projects, with over 200 SME's.

A second round of calls in the FHprofUnd-Programme is planned for the middle of 2007.

The 4th board meeting of the body of experts for the FHprofUnd-Programme is scheduled for the 18th of June 2007 at the FH Mannheim. On the 17th of June, there will be an "open house" at the FH Mannheim with a "contact fair" for companies and scientistes.