SPARK-BIH: Call for Applications 2024
SPARK-BIH is very pleased to announce that the call for proposals 2024 is now OPEN.
SPARK-BIH is part of Charité BIH Innovation at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)- Universitätsmedizin Berlin. BIH and Charité Scientists and Clinicians at all career levels are invited to submit translational project applications until Monday, July 8th, 2024 (14:00 CET).
Core Objective
Are you working on a new technology, therapy, medical solution, or diagnostic assay with clinical potential but find yourself lacking the necessary know-how to develop it further? Do you want to validate your research findings to translate them into therapies, products, or services?
Let SPARK-BIH help you boost the translational pathway of your innovative solution!
SPARK-BIH supports the development of novel therapies and preventives (such as small molecules, drug repurposing, ATMPs, vaccines, biologicals), medical devices and diagnostics, as well as the repurposing of existing drugs for new indications. Translational research projects from any medical field are welcome. SPARK-BIH seeks to empower project teams and innovators to overcome the challenges of translation with funding, education, mentoring, expert advice and entrepreneurship support.
Eligibility
Exclusively, scientists and clinicians from BIH and Charité are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants are not restricted in the number of project proposals they can submit. Projects must be developed within the academic setting.
Program Overview: Budget and Duration
The funding program has of two different tracks, Track 1 and Track 2. Applicants have to assign their proposals to one of the following two categories:
Track 1. This category is for projects that are still at an early stage and can provide some preliminary data to support their proposal. Up to €50,000 in funding can be granted for a maximum period of one year (see 'Guide for Applicants - Track 1').
Track 2. This category is for more mature projects that fulfill certain requirements regarding intellectual property rights and market access strategies. Funding can be granted for more than 50.000 € for a maximum period of two years (see 'Guide for Applicants - Track 2').
Project funding is strictly milestone-based.
Project Requirements
All project proposals have to demonstrate translational relevance. Essential evaluation criteria include:
- Scope of unmet clinical need
- Novelty of approach
- Fit of proposed solution to unmet clinical need
- Feasibility (budget and time)
- Quality of data
- Suitability of team
- Marketability/probability of commercialization
Application Process & Selection Procedure
- To apply, please submit your Track 1 / Track 2 project proposals in English via the online BIH application portal.
- The submission deadline is Monday, July 08th, 2024 (14:00 CET).
- Applicants of selected Track 1 or Track 2 projects will be invited to pitch their proposals between September 23th and 24th in front of an external expert committee. Detailed information will be communicated directly to the selected project teams.
- Funded projects are expected to start in Fall 2024.
Applicants who are unsure about the suitability of their project, or about which track to apply for, are encouraged to contact the SPARK-BIH team before submitting a proposal.
The BIH seeks to increase the diversity of its funding programs. Women, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, as well as individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply for BIH programs.
Charité BIH Innovation
Charité BIH Innovation, the joint technology transfer of Charité and BIH, supports researchers and clinicians at Charité including BIH in the development and transfer of technologies and products to patient and market. In addition to consultations and support in the areas of IP, patenting, licensing and law, the SPARK-BIH team offers mentoring by subject matter experts, access to networks of talents, of development partners, industry partners and investors. Charité BIH Innovation offers two support instruments:
The SPARK-BIH program supports projects in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical devices to validate research results with the aim of developing them into a therapy or product. The Digital Health Accelerator (DHA) program supports teams with digital health ideas and concepts to turn them into market-ready digital health solutions.
Please note: Both, SPARK-BIH and the DHA program, can in general be combined with support from the BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy (BIA), as long as double funding is excluded. Prior coordination with the respective program management is absolutely necessary for this.
Submission Deadline
Monday, July 08th, 2024 (14:00 CET)
BIH Application Portal
Please click here for the online BIH application portal. In case of technical problems with the online portal, please contact portal@bih-charite.de. We recommend using the Google Chrome browser for your online application.
Downloads & Further Information
SPARK-BIH Information Package 2024
Contact
Dr. Tanja Rosenmund
Director SPARK-BIH
tanja.rosenmund@bih-charite.de
FAQs
Is my project eligible for SPARK-BIH funding?
The SPARK-BIH program offers grants to researchers and clinicians of all career levels from BIH or Charité for the development of therapeutics and preventives (small molecule, biologic or gene/cell therapy/ATMP), medical devices and diagnostics for unmet medical needs, as well as repurposing of existing drugs for new indications. All projects must aim at the validation of research findings with the goal of translating these into therapies, products or services. SPARK-BIH does not fund basic research projects. If you have further questions regarding the call please contact us via tanja.rosenmund@charite.de .
Please note that digital health projects should apply to the BIH Digital Health Accelerator once the call is open.
What are the differences between SPARK-BIH Track 1 and Track 2 funding?
SPARK-BIH offers funding in two tracks, depending on the maturity level of the project:
- Track 1 provides funding for earlier translational projects (An invention disclosure or a patent is not required) with up to 50 000€ and a duration of max. one year.
- Track 2 provides funding for more mature projects (requirement: positively evaluated invention disclosure or patent) with funding of more than 50 000€ for up to two years.
Can personnel cost be covered by SPARK-BIH funding?
Track 1 funding does NOT support personnel cost. For Track 2, SPARK-BIH funding can be used to cover up to 50% of personnel cost for the position of a person, who already has a contract at the host-institution (Charité or BIH) during the funding period. If the funded person works part-time, then the 50% apply to the part-time position/salary.
Can private companies also apply for SPARK-BIH funding?
No. Only employees of Charité and BIH are eligible for SPARK-BIH funding.
Do I have to found a start-up with my project idea?
No. Setting up a start-up is one way to bring the product to the market – however, there are also other possibilities that might be better suited for you and your project to reach patients.
What are the timelines for the SPARK-BIH call and selection process?
The call will be open from May 6th to July 8th 14:00 CET, 2024. After an internal evaluation you will be notified on September 9th /10th 2024 if your project was selected for pitching your idea in front of an expert jury.
The pitch session will take place on September 23rd and 24th in person in Berlin. A time slot will be assigned to each selected team.
It is envisioned, that the project funding will start in Fall 2024.
