Transfer

The user associations Committee Research with Synchrotron Radiation (KFS), Committee Research with Neutrons (KFN) and Committee Research with Nucelar Probes and Ions (KFSI) represent a total of approximately 5500 researchers from universities, research institutions and industry working in this field in Germany. Basic research and applied research merge, so that scientific findings lead to innovations and drive technological progress. Conversely, the source operators also benefit from impulses and developments from industry.

The SNI committees strengthen and network their research communities in a variety of ways. One important aspect of this is the exchange between science and industry. In April 2022, for example, the KFS organised a transfer workshop with invited guests to discuss structural measures and transfer models. If you are interested, please contact kfsadmin@sni-portal.de stating your motivation.

The large research institutions foster their contacts with companies and have their own departments and access channels for users from industry (DESY, ESRF, ESS, EuXFEL, GSI, Hereon, HZDR, ILL, JCNS, KIT-Synchrotron, MLZ). Many projects by users from universities or other research institutions are also carried out in collaboration with industrial partners.

Initiatives

Transfer in this research area is also supported by various initiatives, such as:

	The aim of CAROTS is to create more analytical service organisations (CAROs) - helping companies to benefit from the knowledge and potential of scientists and research institutions in the Baltic Sea Region. They facilitate access to research infrastructures and scientific expertise needed to solve analytical tasks in areas such as new materials, nanotechnology or life sciences to accelerate innovation. The CAROTS Startup School for Scientific Service Companies (SSC) is an offer for scientists and engineers who work as researchers at a university or other research institution and want to start an SSC company. In 2021, two scientific service companies were founded by participants of the school. You can apply for one of twelve places at the CAROTS 2.0 Startup School until 21 March 2022.
	The MIXN network organises most of the scientific service companies (SSCs) in Europe working on synchrotron radiation sources and neutron sources. It acts as a facilitator to connect industry with research using X-rays and neutrons.
	AiF InnovatorsNet is a network of hundreds of companies, start-ups, research institutions and associations interested in cross-sector, industry-based innovation.
	InnovaXN is a PhD training programme that brings together the expertise of large research infrastructures with the R&D needs of European industry. Supported by an H2020 MSCA COFUND programme, 40 PhD students can study a wide range of topics that address industry challenges. The programme also focuses on using the characterisation techniques of the European large-scale facilities in Grenoble, ESRF and ILL.
	In LEAPS-INNOV, there is an access programme to synchrotron radiation sources tailored to SMEs called "TamaTA-INNOV", for which SMEs can apply using a simple form.
	LINX is an innovation platform within the field of X-rays for materials – i.e. working with products, process equipment, etc. LINX has three avenues of operation: “Solutions” (help company innovation, obtain funding), “Learning” (get knowledge out there) and “Promotion” (outreach & media campaigning).
	The Big Science Business Forum is a business oriented congress which congregates all the European Research Infrastructures, focused on technology and with the aim to be the main meeting point between Research Infrastructures and industry. BSBF2022 will take place in Granada (Spain) from 4 to 7 October.
	The TechConnect Europe conferences are a forum for large-scale research institutions and companies. Starting 2021, they will be held annually in autumn in Malmö, Sweden.
	The Energy Materials Industrial Research Initiative (EMIRI) represents around 60 organisations (industry, research, associations) active in advanced materials technologies for clean and sustainable energy and mobility. The association contributes to the industrial success of developers, manufacturers and key users of advanced materials by shaping the framework for innovation, production and energy policy at European level.

Funding

There are various funding programmes that finance cooperations and industrial research:

	In the funding database, you can use a free-text search to look for funding programmes and funding organisations of the federal government, the Länder and the EU.
	The BMBF supports innovative SMEs: With KMU-innovativ, the BMBF aims to simplify the application and approval of funding for SMEs. With the KMU-NetC funding measure, the BMBF is strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises in regional networks and clusters. The expansion of research infrastructure is promoted in the BMBF funding programmes ErUM-Pro and ErUM-Data. Cooperations with companies are possible in both funding programmes. The next call is expected in 2024.
	In the Central Innovation Programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the BMWK funds FuW projects involving at least two companies or at least one company and one research institution. No ZIM applications are currently being accepted. A decision on whether to resume accepting applications will have to be made in 2022. At the end of 2021, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology extended the research and innovation funding for SMEs by one year until the end of 2022.
	Tax support for research and development: The Act on Tax Support for Research and Development (Forschungszulagengesetz - FZulG) of 14 December 2019 introduced new tax support for research and development in the form of a research allowance. The tax support thereby joins the well-developed project funding landscape and is intended to strengthen Germany as an investment location and stimulate the research activities of small and medium-sized enterprises in particular.
	The Federal Government supports the development of products, services, processes or business models through the Federal Government's Funding Advisory Service - Research and Innovation.
	The Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation SPRIND is creating spaces for innovators, where they can take risks and think radically different. A disruptive innovation is an innovation that changes our lives for the better in the long term. It can create a completely new market, fundamentally change an existing market to create a completely new ecosystem, or solve a massive technological, social or environmental problem.
	University Based Business Start-Ups - a funding programme of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) - aims to improve the start-up climate at universities and non-university research institutions. In addition, the number and success of technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups are to be increased. To this end, the BMWK supports university graduates, scientists and students in preparing their technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups.
	Industrial Collective Research is a programme of the Research Network for SMEs (AiF) for its members. Its aim is to compensate for the structural disadvantages of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of research. Eligible for funding are scientific and technical research projects that are inter-company in nature, are expected to yield new findings, especially in the area of the development and use of modern technologies, and can bring economic benefits to the SME group in particular.

Current developments

According to the coalition agreement, a "German Agency for Transfer and Innovation (DATI)" is to be founded.

Facility websites on funding and collaboration

	GSI website on funding opportunities
	ESRF website on collaboration and partnerships
	DESY website on projects and initiatives and services, collaborations, licences and contact for the industry
	HZB website on technology transfer and innovation