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Research Award Programmes of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

In co-operation with convelop cooperative knowledge design gmbh inspire research evaluates the Research Award programmes of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The award is granted to outstanding academics from outside Germany in recognition of the researcher's entire achievements to date. The award winners are invited to spend a period of up to one year at a research institution in Germany for joint research activities with German partners. The evaluation focuses on the Research Award programmes‘ impact on stimulating and strengthening research collaborations and networking between the award winners and researchers in Germany.

Research at Universities of Applied Sciences

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) inspire research gives advice and supports the BMBF funding action „Strong Universities of Applied Sciences – Stimulus for the Region“ (FH-Impuls). The funding action provides financial support to research-active Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) that aim to strengthen their research priorities in collaboration with regional industry partners. The funding action supports projects with a high potential for (economic) exploitation and transfer in the region and a high potential to contribute to a focused UAS research profile.

Pilot Call Ideas Lab 4.0

With the 2018 Pilot Call Ideas Lab 4.0 the FFG Austrian Research Promotion Agency stimulates the creation of new interdisciplinary teams among (academic) researchers and industry in order to fast-track applied R&D projects aimed at product or service ideas that benefit society. Over a couple of days the participants in the Ideas Lab, coming from various research fields and professional backgrounds, generate ideas and form project teams in order to flesh out the projects and apply for funding. A group of mentors provide support and advice to the participants during the Ideas Lab. At the end of the Ideas Lab, the mentors also recommend the most promising projects for public funding. inspire research evaluates the pilot call with regard to the Call’s objectives innovativeness, interdisciplinarity and setting-up new collaboration networks.

Interim evaluation of the „Production of the Future“ R&D funding programme

On behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) an evaluation team of convelop creative knowledge design GmbH and inspire research carried out the interim evaluation of the Production of the Future R&D funding programme of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation & Technology (BMVIT). The interim evaluation covered both the design and the implementation of the programme since its start in 2012. The evaluation team also collected empirical data on the programme’s impacts on access to knowledge and human resources, economic and scientific outcomes and overall competitiveness. The evaluation was carried out with the particular view on assessing the effectiveness of new funding instruments such as financing of endowed chairs, pilot factories and lead projects.