FH-Impuls is one of the central funding lines of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for universities of applied sciences (UAS) with a strong research focus. In the ten current FH-Impuls partnerships, almost 140 companies are conducting research on various socially relevant topics in over 50 projects with 12 universities of applied sciences. This enabled the participating universities to successfully mobilise companies in their region for research. New regional networks are established beyond existing partnerships. Through joint application-oriented research, the public benefits particularly quickly from regional innovations.

The research fields range from sustainable urban development, innovative technologies for mobility and autonomous driving to energy-efficient products of the future. State Secretary Georg Schütte: "The partnerships pick up on focal points that are highly relevant for the companies in the respective region, but also for our society as a whole. Citizens gain a direct benefit from the results." The improvement of hospital hygiene, new methods of wound healing, the conversion of public transport to electromobility or the intelligent use of sustainably generated heat are just a few examples. This research contributes to improving the quality of life for everyone: it improves medical care, lowers the level of air pollution or reduces noise load.

The added value for universities and companies is also reflected in the current results of the accompanying research: from the perspective of the UAS, the FH-Impuls funding strengthens their role in the respective regional innovation network. In 2016, they had raised an average of approximately six million euros in third-party funds for research, which is significantly higher than the average for German UAS. Moreover, through FH-Impuls funding, the partnerships benefit from BMBF funding of an average of more than five million euros over four years. The universities were also able to expand their partner network considerably and generate new partners; on average, the universities are working for the first time with about 40 percent of the companies from the impulse partnerships.

The companies also expect valuable contacts to qualified young researchers for their own personnel recruitment. Thus, FH-Impuls funding strengthens the connection between UAS and companies and supports networks between the industry partners. Nearly half of the companies also like to cooperate with UAS because the cooperation has a positive effect on the innovations and the reputation of their own company. This strengthens the economic performance of the region and connects citizens, companies and universities alike.

In the second year of funding, the BMBF is already able to present a considerable funding balance with FH-Impuls: 57 projects have been initiated and funded, with the German government having provided 40.5 million euros for this purpose to date. The participating universities plan to raise an average of a further 1.4 million euros from third parties over the duration of funding.

Representatives of the impulse partnerships will meet on 12 and 13 June 2018 at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW) to discuss the topic of “UAS as Innovation Ecosystems”. As part of a transfer workshop, the participants exchange views on current challenges in the successful implementation of impulse partnerships. They are supported in these efforts by the accompanying research of the Technopolis Group, the Stifterverband and inspire research.