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Dear Reader,
Our July issue highlights how collaboration, targeted funding and support, and fresh ideas drive translational research forward. A major focus is placed on nurturing scientific talent. With the launch of the new Advanced Clinician Scientist Program – known as Berlin ACSP proHealth – the first cohort of fellows has begun its work, while the BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy is welcoming its latest group of Junior Digital Clinician Scientists. We also look at the National Translational Tandem Program for Gene- and Cell-based Therapies, illustrating how structured initiatives can give a real boost to research careers and innovative projects. Innovation also took center stage in the GeneNovate® Entrepreneurship Program finale, where researchers pitched their visions for the future of healthcare solutions, with the most promising concepts receiving awards and development support. The vital journey from lab discovery to patient care is perfectly exemplified by a new study on minimally invasive treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Finally, we report on the new German Spin-off Framework, which aims to cut through red tape and establish a stronger foundation for research-driven start-ups.
The next newsletter will come out after the summer break on September 15.
Have a great summer!
Your BIH Newsletter Team
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Venture capital firms, research institutions, technology transfer offices (TTOs), and other stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem announced the launch of the German Spin-off Framework (GSOF) on June 18, 2026. The jointly developed framework is intended to make research spin-offs in Germany faster, fairer, and more predictable. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) helped develop the GSOF and are among its signatories. Read the partner press release
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News From the BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy (BIA)
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In February 2026, the BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy (BIA) launched a new funding program for Advanced Clinician Scientists which could be acquired in collaboration with the Medical Faculty of Charité: the “Berlin ACSP proHealth – promote and maintain Health” with a focus on prevention. The ACSP proHealth is funded by BMFTR and provides funding for eight fellowships, each with an annual budget of €135,000 for six years. The total duration of the BMFTR funding is ten years. Following a highly competitive selection process, the first four ACSP proHealth Fellows were selected in May 2026 and began their funding on July 1, 2026 – a warm welcome to all of them! Read more
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In Call 2026_I, a total of 17 new fellows (including nine women) were selected through a competitive two-stage selection process for the BIH Charité (Junior) (Digital) Clinician Scientist Program. Two grants for the Clinician Scientist Program are being funded by the German Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ). The new fellows are expected to start their fellowships on September 1, 2026. Welcome aboard to all of them! Learn more about the JCSPLearn more about the JDCSP
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News From the National Strategy for Gene- and Cell-based Therapies
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Since spring 2025, 30 clinical and non-clinical researchers from eight cities in Germany have been benefiting by the national Translational Tandem Program for Gene- and Cell-based Therapies (nTTP-GCT). To learn about the opportunities this funding program offers as well as the impact on the fellows’ career development and research activities, please read our compilation “Voices from the Program". Learn more about the nTTP-GCT
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© Netzwerkbüro GCT | Holger Rauner
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GeneNovate® Finale 2026: Award for Entrepreneurial Thinking in the Field of Gene- and Cell-Based Therapies
The third round of the GeneNovate® Entrepreneurship Program came to a close on June 25 in Munich with the 2026 Final Event, during which the best project teams were honored. As part of the closing event for the nationwide program of the National Strategy for Gene- and Cell-Based Therapies (National GCT Strategy), scientists presented their ideas – which hold potential for future healthcare solutions and associated business models – to a jury of experts. The most promising approaches were recognized and will receive personalized coaching to validate their product ideas. Read the press release (in German only)
Information about GeneNovate® and all project teams
More about the National Strategy GCT
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News From the BIH Biosafety and the BIH Clinical Incubator (CLIC)
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Biosafety is an important part of scientific work, as it ensures that researchers handle biological materials professionally in the laboratory. The field distinguishes between biosecurity and biosafety. Our Central Biosafety Officer, Dr. Peter Witkowski, explains the difference between the two together with Dr. Franka Klatt-Schulz and Nicole Bormann during a tour of the BIH Clinical Incubator. Learn more and watch the video
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Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and disability worldwide. For many patients, conservative measures do not provide sufficient relief, while joint replacement is either not yet an option or not desired. For this large patient group, very few established treatment options have been available so far. In a prospective study, an interdisciplinary team from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the BIH has investigated the safety and clinical efficacy of genicular artery embolization (GAE), a minimally invasive endovascular procedure. In an interview, Dr. Florian Fleckenstein, first author of the study and a fellow of the BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, talks about the results. Read the interview
Read the publication
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The BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy (BIA) and the Medical Faculty of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have published the second call for applications 2026 for the BIH Charité (Junior) (Digital) Clinician Scientist Program. The program provides research-oriented physicians with a structured residency with defined space for clinical and basic / digital research. The deadline for all calls will be September 1, 2026. Read more about the calls
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The BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy (BIA) will publish a fourth call for project submissions for the BIH PhD Program. The BIH PhD program aims to promote interdisciplinarity and support young translational talents. The program will co-fund PhD positions for excellent translational projects that fit one of the three BIH research objectives. Principal Investigators from all research groups with a BIH affiliation may submit project proposals from August 24 to September 28. You will find more information on the call here.
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The Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Research. Endowed with €2.5 million, the prize will be awarded in Bad Homburg on June 3, 2027, and will recognize outstanding achievements in the field of cell-based immunotherapies. These innovative approaches involve using living immune cells for the targeted treatment of diseases – with particular promise in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disorders. Nominations can be submitted until August 27, 2026. Read more
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