Helmholtz Virtual Institutes: Expanding Networks within the Scientific Community

The Instrument

By establishing new research partnerships, Helmholtz Virtual Institutes provide a distinct benefit in preparing the way for larger strategic research projects. With this funding the Helmholtz Association wants to strengthen the position of universities in the German scientific system. A further aim of the funding programme is to generate new collaboration with leading international partner institutions. 

A Helmholtz Virtual Institute brings together the key competencies of one or more Helmholtz Centres with those of one or more universities to create a centre of excellence of international standing. This serves to create a new quality of cooperation strengthening scientific excellence and increasing international competitiveness. Other national or international partners may be involved as associated partners.

Helmholtz Virtual Institutes have their own executive and management structure and develop special measures to qualify their young researchers. Over a three to five year period, Virtual Institutes receive up to a maximum of 600,000 euros per year from the Initiative and Networking Fund. With this scope Virtual Institutes possess of an ideal size, to prepare the way for larger collaborative networks such as the Helmholtz Alliances.

Five calls for proposals have been completed so far, with grants worth a total of some 100 million euros being awarded to 99 Virtual Institutes in which almost 326 university partners from 61 German universities are actively involved.

The Application Process

The sixth call for proposals for Helmholtz Virtual Institutes was announced on 30 September 2011. Applications for the creation of a Helmholtz Virtual Institute can only be submitted in response to a call for proposals by Helmholtz Association Head Office and must include at least one Helmholtz Centre. The Deadline for applications is 20 January 2012.

The funding decision will be based on a competitive process with external review and a subsequent presentation before a selection panel.

To last call for proposal

One more call for proposals is envisaged in the coming year.

Twelve new Virtual Institutes from July 2011

In-Situ Nano-Imaging of Biological and Chemical Processes

Partners involved: DESY , KIT, Universität Göttingen, Universität Heidelberg, Universität Karlsruhe, Dresden (TU)
Contact: Prof. Dr.Christian Schroer, DESY

Understanding and overcoming resistance to apoptosis and therapy in leukemia

Partners involved: DKFZ, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Universität Würzburg, Universität Ulm, University of London, Technical University of Denmark, Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen Heidelberg (NCT)
Contact: Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter und Prof. Dr. Daniel Mertens, DKFZ

Integrated Climate and Landscape Evolution Analyses

Partners involved: GFZ, Universität Greifswald, TU Cottbus, Polnische Akademie der Wissenschaften
Contact: Prof. Dr. Achim Brauer, GFZ

Nuclear Astrophysics Virtual Institute

Partners involved: GSI, FZJ, HZDR, Universität Frankfurt am Main, Universität Würzburg, Universität Gießen, Universität Bonn, Universität Darmstadt, Universität Basel, Michigan State University, Schwerionenbeschleunigeranlage (GANIL) im französischen Caen
Contact: Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Langanke, GSI

The Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health – HICE

Partners involved: HMGU, MDC, KIT, Universität Rostock, Universität München, University of Eastern Finland, University of Cardiff, University of Luxembourg
Contact: HMGU, Prof. Dr. Ralf Zimmermann

Dynamic Pathways in Multidimensional Landscapes

Partners involved: Stanford, USA (SLAC), Max-Born-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik, FU Berlin, TU Berlin, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Universität Potsdam, Universität Hamburg, Universität Amsterdam
Contact: Prof. Dr. Alexander Föhlisch, HZB

Functional nanomaterials for multimodality cancer imaging (Nano Tracking)

Partners involved:  HZDR , Universität Münster, Universität Heidelberg, Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, OncoRay Dresden, Monash University Melbourne, University College Dublin
Contact: Dr. Holger Stephan, HZDR

Memory Effects in Resistive Ion-beam Modified Oxides (MEMRIOX)

Partners involved: HZDR, FZJ, TU Aachen, TU Freiberg, Universität Dresden, Universität Jena, ETH Zürich, University of California
Contact: Dr. Sibylle Gemming, HZDR

Multifunctional Biomaterials for Medicine

Partners involved: HZG, HZB, FU Berlin, Universität Freiburg
Contact: Prof. Dr. Andreas Lendlein, HZG

Viral Strategies of Immune Evasion VISTRIE

Partners involved: HZI, Universität Hannover (MedH), Universität Düsseldorf, University of Rjeka
Contact: Luka Cicin-Sain, HZI

New X-ray analytic methods in material science (VI-NXMM)

Partners involved: KIT, HZG, TU München und Eidgenössische Materialprüfungsanstalt EMPA
Contact: Prof. Dr. Jürg Leuthold

Helmholtz Virtual Institute Gasification Technology (HVIGasTech)

Partners involved: KIT, FZJ, DLR, TH Aachen, TU Clausthal, Paul Scherrer Institut, Energy research Center of Netherlands
Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Kolb