Field Study Fellowship (Helmholtz Enterprise)
The Helmholtz Field Study Fellowship funds scientists to research customer needs and market demand for early-stage spin-offs through interviews and market analysis.
Funder: Helmholtz Association
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Field Study Fellowship application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to €25,000 per project (personnel and material costs, max. 3 months); additional €5,500 reserved for central mentoring.
Summary: Supports Helmholtz scientists in systematically identifying customer needs and validating market demand through interviews and research as part of early-stage spin-off development.
Key Information: Only Helmholtz Center employees are eligible; application must be supported by the Center’s transfer office and direct supervisor.
Description
The Field Study Fellowship (FSF) is a module of the Helmholtz Enterprise program, designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and spin-off readiness among scientists at Helmholtz Centers. The FSF funds short-term projects that enable researchers to systematically identify and analyze customer needs, validate market demand, and explore potential user and customer groups through interviews and market research. This early-phase support is intended to help prospective founders assess the commercial potential of their research before or alongside broader spin-off activities.
