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ePaper created 2014-12-22, 09:34:33 | version 1.34.00
12 in 2013 the association launched a second call for applica- tions for the Helmholtz Postdoc Programme. The 19 candi- dates selected for grants will receive up to 300,000 euros each for two to three years in order to establish themselves in their respective research fields. Thanks to the Joint Initia- tive for Research and Development, a well-rounded funding portfolio has emerged that covers all the important links in the talent chain, from doctoral candidate to professor. The association pursues a two-pronged strategy for every stage of a scientist’s career: opening up prospects for the best scientists through additional capacities and providing these scientists with ongoing training. A key role is played by the Helmholtz Management Academy and the Helmholtz mentor- ing programmes. In addition, under an alumni concept titled “Helmholtz & Friends”, the association is fostering long-term ties among academy participants and laying the foundation for a network of current and former Helmholtz leaders. Technology transfer creates added value and innovation In 2013 the Helmholtz Association further expanded its technology transfer activities. In consultation with its mem- ber centres, it drew up a key-issues paper on the strategic development of technology transfer processes. Adopted by the Members’ Assembly in April 2014, this paper contains a package of measures that will unlock even greater commer- cialisation potential in the future – e.g. through incentives and the promotion of an innovation-friendly culture. Previous instruments remain in place, including the “Shared Services” pilot project, which aims to professionalise and enable mutual support for the technology transfer offices at the individual centres, as well as the Helmholtz Validation Fund and Helmholtz Enterprise funding programmes. The Validation Fund, founded in 2011, has so far selected a total of 15 projects to develop promising technologies to the point where they can be marketed. In a few cases this has already been achieved. License income from one Valida- tion project at the DLR – running into millions of euros – made a significant contribution to the association’s overall income from licenses and options in 2013. An external evaluation of the Validation Fund in June 2014 confirmed the success and professional implementation of the concept and recommended its continuance. The second funding instrument, the Helmholtz Enterprise, is also contributing to the gratifying results in the area of technology transfer. In 2013 there were 19 research spin- offs, a new record. Since 2005, 99 companies have been founded. During the same period, 83 projects received Helmholtz Enterprise funding and resulted in 57 research spin-offs. This means that more than half of all Helmholtz start-ups received Helmholtz Enterprise support. In 2013, Innovation Days were held to foster an exchange of ideas between science and industry. The Helmholtz Association was once again the main organiser of this event from the four major non-university research organi- sations. A total of 250 experts from the research commu- nity, industry and finance attended in order to learn more about the best technologies and start-up ideas and to attend partnering meetings. The Helmholtz Association has also enhanced its Research Day format and held two of these open innovation events – one with Bayer AG, the other with Robert Bosch GmbH. Their goal is to showcase technologies at the Helmholtz centres and to identify common research projects. 64 per cent quota for women for the entire recruitment initiative 2011–2013 41 per cent quota for women in the round of selections in 2013 58 per cent quota for women in the round of selections for funding programmes in 2013 Actual proportion of women, 36 per cent Postdoctoral posts Leaders of Young Investigators Groups ProfessorsDoctoral candidates More women in leadership positions as a result of support along the talent chain In its “cascading” model the Initiative and Networking Fund provides a number of funding instruments for postdoctoral women scientists. The Helmholtz Association is using this model to counter the declining proportion of women in senior positions and to achieve the targeted quotas. Programme reviews: the quota for experts has been set at 30 per cent for all competitions for funds