New year, new opportunity: 12th “Call for Transfer” launched

15 January 2026

Photo: Calls for Transfer

The “Calls for Transfer” (C4T) funding program is kicking off the new year with the sprint format that proved so successful in 2023: Call 12 opens on January 15 and offers up to €35,000 in funding for innovative transfer projects in all disciplines at Hamburg's universities – with a compact duration of six months. A total of 167 projects have already been successfully funded in the past eleven calls.

“Calls for Transfer” are looking for new ideas, unusual collaborations, and projects that have not yet been established: All disciplines are invited to demonstrate their innovative strength. From new voting cards for a differentiated political discourse to the development of climate-adapted urban greenery, a laboratory for co-creative research, and the digital recording of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease—there are no limits to the variety of topics at C4T.

What makes Call 12 special?

The twelfth call for proposals for the “Calls for Transfer” (C4T) program is launching in a sprint format. The funded projects have a maximum duration of six months, which enables innovative ideas to be implemented quickly. The focus remains on openness to all topics—all scientific disciplines are welcome.

Who can apply?

Researchers employed at one of the following state universities in Hamburg participating in the joint project “Calls for Transfer” are eligible to apply:

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg), HafenCity University Hamburg (HCU), Hochschule für Bildende Künste Hamburg (HFBK), Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg (HfMT), University of Hamburg (UHH), University Medical Center Hamburg (UKE Hamburg), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH).

How and when can I submit an application?

Applications can be submitted digitally via the C4T online portal starting January 15, 2026. You can find all the relevant information on the C4T application page (page in German).

Key data for Call 12:

• Submission phase: January 15–February 15, 2026
• Maximum funding amount per project: EUR 35,000
• Earliest project start date: May 1, 2026
• Maximum duration: 6 months (until October 31, 2026)
• No cost-neutral extension possible

Further information on the call, the selection of project proposals, and other criteria can be found on the C4T website (in German).

About „Calls for Transfer“

The program is funded by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Equality (BWFG) of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is sponsored by the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), and is implemented and coordinated by Hamburg Innovation GmbH (HI).