DATIpilot – Promoting, funding and learning for innovation and transfer: An experimental space within the DATI environment

Initiated by the Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the primary objective of the DATIpilot funding guideline is to promote knowledge transfer from the field of research to the areas of practical application, to generate new solutions for social challenges, to gain important insights for the promotion of innovation and transfer, and to generally support the establishment and growth of the German Agency of Transfer and Innovation (DATI). Innovation sprints and innovation communities are at the centre of the promotional efforts of DATIpilot.

Sensors and drones for helping to combat forest fires, fungi as a sustainable construction material, augmented reality for progressive learning – these ideas are only a very small selection of the vast range of innovation sprints to be promoted by the BMBF. Some 300 projects share a common denominator despite their dissimilarities, jointly delivering solutions to meet the myriad challenges of our time while creating added value for our societies.

Innovation sprints speed up information transfer by way of simplified application and innovative selection processes. With a runtime of no more than 18 months, this support module offers space for the transfer of research results in specific applications. Less experienced applicants are also able to benefit from this support. Both individual and group projects with a maximum of two working partners are to receive funding from this support module. Innovation sprints thereby support an efficient transfer process as well as the targeted application of innovative ideas.

Innovation communities:

Innovation communities develop their innovation targets independently and form partnerships needed for successful transfer in a flexible and target-oriented manner over a period of four years. This timeframe makes it possible to develop innovation processes sustainably while establishing viable collaborations. Applying co-creative processes that involve both the funding provider and recipient, the communities are able to develop and implement demand-oriented solutions for achieving transfer competencies. The results strengthen the close and effective co-operation between the stakeholders and help to develop innovative solutions for meeting social challenges.

Source and further information: Federal Ministry for Research and Education