Knowledge transfer funding options are intended to support work on scientific questions in collaboration with an application partner (commercial enterprise or a non-commercial, non-profit institution) in the pre-competitive area. 

The aim is to apply the scientific findings and results generated by basic research. The projects are also expected to provide an impetus for pursuing new scientific questions in basic research.

What’s New

DFG-Fraunhofer-Cooperation – Trilateral transfer projects 2026/27 (in German only)
To the call for proposal (in German only)(interner Link) | Further Information(interner Link)

Info talks about Trilateral transfer projects (in German only)

• 23.06.2026, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CEST
• 07.07.2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CEST

The DFG and Fraunhofer offer two information sessions for interested applicants to address the most frequently asked questions about submitting proposals under the Call for Proposals “DFG-Fraunhofer-Cooperation – Trilateral transfer projects”.

The Webex links for the information sessions will be posted on this page shortly before each session. No prior registration is required.

Knowledge transfer funding options

The DFG offers three distinct knowledge transfer funding options which differ in their application criteria so as to ensure the best possible access criteria and conditions for successful processing.

*Science partners = researchers at universities/universities of applied sciences or non-university research institutions who are eligible to apply to the DFG.

*HEI partners = researchers at universities/universities of applied sciences and non-university research institutions with the exception of Fraunhofer, who are eligible to apply to the DFG.

DFG projects in GEPRIS

An overview of all DFG-funded projects relating to knowledge transfer is available in our information system GEPRIS(externer Link).