SPARK-BIH Call

SPARK-BIH: Call for Applications 2026

SPARK-BIH is very pleased to announce that the Call for Proposals 2026 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.

Submission Deadline: Monday, July 6, 2026 (14:00 CEST)

Call Scope

Are you working on a new technology, therapy, medical solution, or diagnostic assay?
Do you want to validate your research findings to translate them into therapies, products, or services that can reach patients?

Let SPARK-BIH help you on the translational pathway of your innovative solution!

We support the development of novel therapies and preventives (such as small molecules, drug repurposing, ATMPs, vaccines, and biologicals), medical devices and diagnostics, as well as the repurposing of existing drugs for new indications.

We do not support digital health solutions; these include software, apps, algorithms, AI-based solutions, etc. Please reach out to the BIH Digital Health Accelerator.

For more information attend our online info events:

April 29th | 17:00 CEST
June 8th | 12:00 CEST

Link to Microsoft Teams (both sessions)

Applicant Eligibility

Only scientists and clinicians from BIH and Charité are eligible to apply. Applicants may submit more than one project proposal. Projects must be developed within an academic setting.

Our Offer

Translational projects from any medical field are welcome. We support you in overcoming the challenges of translation with funding, education, mentoring, expert advice, and entrepreneurship support.

Funding and Duration

The funding program has two different tracks: Track 1 and Track 2. Applicants must assign their proposals to one of the two categories:

Track 1: For projects at an early stage that 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: For more mature projects that fulfill certain requirements regarding intellectual property rights and market access strategies. Funding of more than €50,000 can be granted for a maximum period of two years (see “Guide for Applicants – Track 2”).

Project funding is milestone-based, with funds released in stages following the successful completion of predefined goals (milestones).

Selection Criteria

All project proposals must demonstrate translational relevance, including:

Scope of unmet medical need
Novelty of approach
Fit of the proposed solution to the unmet medical need
Feasibility (budget and timeline)
Data quality
Team expertise
Marketability/probability of commercialization

Application Submission & Selection Process

To apply, please submit your Track 1 or Track 2 project proposal in English via the online BIH application portal.
The submission deadline is Monday, July 6, 2026 (14:00 CEST).
To prepare for submitting your application, we recommend reviewing the documents Application Questions Track 1 and Application Questions Track 2 to draft your texts for the different sections in advance.
Applicants of selected Track 1 or Track 2 projects will be invited to pitch their proposals on September 21 and 22 in front of an external expert committee. Detailed information will be communicated directly to the selected project teams.
The selected teams will draft a project plan in the form of a milestone agreement.
Selected projects are expected to start latest in January 2027.

Applicants who are unsure about the suitability of their project or which track to apply for are encouraged to contact the SPARK-BIH team before submitting a proposal.

BIH seeks to increase diversity in 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 Scope

Charité BIH Innovation, the joint technology transfer office of Charité and BIH, supports researchers and clinicians at Charité, including BIH, in the development and transfer of technologies and products to patients and the market. In addition to consultations and support in the areas of IP, patenting, licensing, and legal matters, the SPARK-BIH team offers mentoring by subject-matter experts and access to networks of talent, 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 BIH Digital Health Accelerator 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 BIH Digital Health Accelerator program can generally 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.

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 2026

Relevant Documents for Track 1

Guide for Applicants Track 1

Application Questions Track 1

Signature Page

Relevant Documents for Track 2

Guide for Applicants Track 2

Application Questions Track 2