On 5 and 6 May, representatives of the BMBF and the ten partnerships met for a virtual meeting via video conference. In the individual meetings, the interim results of the first four funding years were discussed, during which the partnerships built up their networks and successfully carried out their first projects. All of them were able to complete this set-up phase with good to very good results. The evaluation also included the respective plans based on which the partnerships intend to intensify and ultimately stabilise their cooperation.

FH-Impuls funding promotes strategic partnerships between universities and medium-sized regional companies. The funding extends over three phases: In an application phase, successful partnerships were selected, followed by a four-year set-up phase to establish and expand the networks. Now the intensification phase begins, which, like the set-up phase, will usually last four years. For this phase, the BMBF is providing the partnerships with a total of 48.2 million euros from 2021 to 2024. In addition, companies will contribute around 10 million euros to the research work.