The German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) has announced a significant investment to advance knowledge-driven research at universities of applied sciences (UAS) across Germany. In a strategic decision by the DFG Joint Committee, five new Research Impulses (RI) will be funded starting January 1, 2026. This initiative marks a continued commitment to fostering innovative and collaborative research projects that enhance the scientific output and research capacity of UAS institutions. The total financial commitment for these projects amounts to approximately €31 million over a five-year span, inclusive of a 22 percent allowance covering indirect project expenses.
This funding round emerges from a meticulous selection process initiated in December 2023, when the DFG issued its second call for proposals under the Research Impulses program. After an initial screening of concept drafts, ten initiatives demonstrated exceptional promise and were invited to present comprehensive proposals. These submissions underwent rigorous onsite evaluations by panels composed of researchers affiliated with both traditional universities and universities of applied sciences, ensuring a multidisciplinary assessment of each project’s merit and potential impact. Ultimately, five proposals were granted funding. With this addition, the DFG currently supports a total of 15 Research Impulses, augmenting their portfolio to sustain the trajectory of cutting-edge applied research in Germany.
Research Impulses are distinct collaborative research projects strategically anchored at UAS that already exhibit a robust research profile. These projects seek to develop and reinforce knowledge-driven research activities which are becoming a cornerstone for applied sciences institutions aspiring to elevate their standing in the German and international research landscape. The program incentivizes the cultivation of research excellence, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative synergies among researchers, industry partners, and societal stakeholders. Each Research Impulse can be awarded a maximum funding period of eight years: an initial five-year phase followed by a potential three-year extension contingent upon a successful re-evaluation. This structure ensures long-term research sustainability and thematic depth.
Among the newly funded projects, the Research Impulse titled “Making e-participation work for transformations: Exploring fields, drivers and impacts (eParT)” investigates the intricate dynamics of digital participation in political processes. This initiative addresses the rapidly evolving landscape where digital technologies reshape how citizens engage in opinion forming and decision-making, especially amidst societal transformations in sectors like health, energy, mobility, and education. By integrating methodologies from political science, computer science, and engineering, the project aims to delineate the design parameters that allow digital participation platforms to effectively facilitate transformative change in society.
Another pioneering project, “Safety in cooperative, automated driving by tackling uncertainties (BEYOND VALIDATION AI),” confronts the technological challenges posed by the growing deployment of artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles. Despite advances, automated driving systems grapple with intricacies in environmental perception and prediction, which are critical for operational safety. This research impulse endeavors to address these uncertainties by developing advanced methods to better represent and forecast traffic surroundings. A consequential goal is the establishment of a permanent interdisciplinary competence center focused on enhancing safety protocols in AI-driven, connected mobility ecosystems, ensuring Germany’s leadership in this cutting-edge automotive technology.
The socio-cultural domain is represented by the Research Impulse “Cultural Memory in Crisis,” a project that delves into the temporal and contextual layers of cultural memory amid overlapping and sustained crises. By drawing on cultural studies, architecture, and applied social sciences, this initiative explores how societies remember, interpret, and navigate crises through memory culture. It engages contemporary and historical perspectives on resilience strategies and coping mechanisms, employing traditional memory research methods enhanced by participatory approaches. This multidimensional analysis deepens our understanding of how cultural memory evolves during periods of profound societal stress.
Speech recognition technologies, though advanced, continue to face difficulties accurately interpreting atypical speech patterns. The Research Impulse “Speech Processing in Health Sciences” addresses these persistent limitations, focusing specifically on atypical language which remains underrepresented in training datasets. By investigating the performance gaps of current models and developing tailored solutions, the project advances speech processing technology with direct implications for diagnostic tools and interactive systems within healthcare settings. This research not only pushes technical boundaries but also has profound implications for improving health-related communications and accessibility.
Sustainability and circular economy principles form the backbone of the research impulse “Real circular economy of natural fiber-based material systems (CE4NWS).” Natural fiber-based materials are prized for characteristics such as low density, high tensile strength, resilience to impact, and thermal insulation properties, rendering them valuable across automotive, construction, and industrial sectors. However, recycling pathways remain underdeveloped, leading to resource inefficiencies. By creating a modular digital model that integrates material science data and recycling process parameters, the project aims to optimize circular value chains. This innovative approach has the potential to transform the lifecycle management of natural fiber materials, reducing environmental impact and advancing sustainable industrial practices.
Together, these Research Impulses exemplify the breadth of challenges and opportunities tackled by German universities of applied sciences through targeted, high-impact investigations. The DFG’s strategic investment supports not only technological innovation but also socio-political and environmental research endeavors that resonate with pressing global issues. By bridging disciplinary divides and leveraging applied methodologies, these projects underscore the pivotal role of UAS institutions in the evolving research ecosystem.
Looking forward, the DFG anticipates further funding rounds to amplify this momentum. Funding decisions related to the third call for Research Impulses are scheduled for the end of 2026, while a fourth call is planned later this year. This sustained commitment signals a robust and dynamic agenda aimed at expanding knowledge-driven research capacities, preparing German university-level applied science institutions to respond effectively to future scientific and societal demands.
Overall, the Research Impulses funding program provides a crucial platform for universities of applied sciences to extend their impact beyond teaching and practice-oriented research, fostering sustained excellence, interdisciplinary cooperation, and strategic scientific contributions. It represents a significant policy and funding innovation that recognizes the value of applied research as a driver for technological progress and societal transformation in the 21st century.
Subject of Research: Knowledge-driven research enhancement at universities of applied sciences through interdisciplinary Research Impulse projects
Article Title: German Research Foundation Launches Five New Research Impulses to Advance Applied Sciences
News Publication Date: 25 September 2025
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Keywords: Research programs, Science policy, Science communication, Scientific organizations
