FH-Kooperativ (Research at Universities of Applied Sciences in Cooperation with Businesses) supports universities of applied sciences in their cooperation with partners from the commercial and scientific communities. Thus, knowledge and technology transfer between universities and companies is to be strengthened in order to enable the collaboration partners to develop innovative solutions for the business world.

In order for the UAS to further establish themselves as high-performance partners for companies, and also enable them to better assert themselves in the German science system, FH-Kooperativ will only fund projects that are embedded in the research profile or in a research focus of the respective UAS. Research projects should be of an interdisciplinary nature.

FH-Kooperativ provides funding for projects in the fields of application-oriented engineering, health, economic and social sciences that are characterized by a highly application-oriented approach, significant economic potential and a scientific and technical challenge that extends beyond the state of the art.

Fundamental new or disruptive technologies with high technical or scientific risks, including quantum technologies, innovative information technologies and applications in the field of artificial intelligence, can also be funded within FH-Kooperativ. However, it is important that the primary focus is on the transfer into an initial application.

Furthermore, FH-Kooperativ is meant to contribute to the cooperation within one or between multiple UAS, which is why at least two professors are tasked with the cooperative project leadership. The work is also to be closely interlinked with that of the commercial partner. In addition to commercial partners, other research partners such as universities or non-university research institutes can be involved in the undertaking. However, only the applicant UAS receives funding.

FH-Kooperativ also enables UAS to enhance their framework conditions for research through strategic and project-specific investments within the projects.

As proof of the strong interest of the commercial sector in cooperation with the applicant universities, the commercial partners must contribute to the total expenditure of the supported projects (minus investment expenditure).

The funding line offers additional support for young scientists: for example, FH-Kooperativ distinguishes between experienced and newly appointed professors, who submit their outlines separately on different deadlines. Newly appointed professors are those who were first appointed to a university less than five years ago (measured on the cut-off date for the respective submission of the project outline). If a project is coordinated by a newly appointed professor, the duration can be extended by up to six months, and the required contribution from the commercial partners to the total expenditure is lower.

(Cooperative) doctorates are also supported within the framework of FH-Kooperativ. For example, an extension of up to 12 months is possible if at least one doctorate is planned as part of the project. The aim is to provide practice-oriented training for doctoral candidates, which is ensured by a high level of involvement of commercial partners in the doctoral projects – for example through external mentoring, the concept of which must be described in the proposal outline.