Helmholtz Imaging Projects – Call 2026

Helmholtz Imaging project call 2026

Helmholtz Imaging invites researchers across the Helmholtz Association to submit proposals for the Helmholtz Imaging Project Call 2026. The call supports collaborative, cross-disciplinary research projects that advance imaging science and strengthen the connection between imaging and information & data science.

Researchers from at least two Helmholtz Centers, with optional participation of external partners, are encouraged to join forces and develop innovative solutions along the imaging pipeline - from data acquisition to knowledge extraction.

Proposals can be submitted via the Helmholtz Imaging project portal. https://projects.helmholtz-imaging.de/site/index.php 

Application deadline: 26 June 2026 (end of day).

All application documents and templates are available in this Sync’n’Share folder. https://syncandshare.desy.de/index.php/s/49DzXN4fZfz4egY 

What We Are Looking For

The Helmholtz Imaging Project Call supports high-risk, high-gain research ideas that address imaging challenges across scientific domains and enable methodological innovation.

We particularly encourage projects that:

• Develop novel methods for imaging,
• Promote synergies across imaging modalities and applications,
• Enable method transfer across applications and scientific disciplines,
• Foster collaboration across Helmholtz Centers and research fields, and with industry,
• Empower early career researchers or young investigator groups.

Funding

Helmholtz Imaging Projects can apply for funding volume of up to €500,000 for a period of up to three years. Half of the financial volume and at most € 250,000 will be funded by the Helmholtz Initiative and Networking Fund (INF) and the other half will be contributed by the partners themselves.

Projects may also apply for an additional budget of up to €100,000 within the dedicated track for generalizing imaging solutions with strong potential for cross-domain applicability. (€ 50,000 funded by INF plus matching fund by the same amount by the applying centers).

What We Offer

Selected projects benefit not only from funding but also from a wide range of support within the Helmholtz Imaging ecosystem, including:

• Scientific and / or technical consultation from the Helmholtz Imaging Support and Research Units,
• Support incloud deployment, FAIR research software standards, and software development provided by HIFIS,
• Support for disseminating results as open-source Helmholtz Imaging Solutions,
• Access to HAICORE computing resources,
• Connection to the Helmholtz Imaging CONNECT database for sustainable visibility and knowledge sharing.

Support during application

Helmholtz Imaging also offers support for project teams during the application stage. We strongly encourage applicants to contact the Helmholtz Imaging Support Hub already during the proposal preparation stage. If specific expertise is missing for the implementation of your project, this can be discussed and addressed together with our support team. https://helmholtz-imaging.de/support-hub/ 

In some cases, gaps can be filled through a Helmholtz Imaging Collaboration at no additional cost. Any additional expertise identified in this way can be directly integrated into the project proposal.

Information session

Join either of our information sessions to learn more about this call, the application process, and ask any question you may have.

• Friday, April 24 at 10-11:30 AM CEST, agenda & registration
• Tuesday, June 2 at 10-11:30 AM CEST, agenda & registration

If you are looking for project partners or would like to exchange project ideas, join our dedicated “Helmholtz Imaging Project Call Matchmaking” channel on Mattermost. https://mattermost.hzdr.de/h-imaging/channels/helmholtz-imaging-project-call-matchmaking

Contact

Helmholtz Imaging
Knut Sander, support@helmholtz-imaging.de 

Helmholtz Head Office
Florian Grötsch, florian.groetsch@helmholtz.de