Bundeswehr and Helmut Schmidt Universities

Challenge:
Accessing timely funding information and support
The Federal Ministry of Defence runs two universities – Bundeswehr University Munich (UniBw M) and the Helmut Schmidt University/ Bundeswehr University Hamburg (UniBw H). Research at UniBw M focuses on security in cyber, space, society, engineering, economics, and social science. In comparison, UniBw H concentrates on aviation, renewable energy, logistics, engineering, work, and safety. The universities were keen to find a partner who could deliver a funding service to its budding scientists and researchers’ cohort. The service needed to provide real-time updates on funding opportunities as well as the tools required to identify, apply and manage applications through to success. Without access to a central portal, researchers and research support staff’s ability to source and submit relevant funding applications in a timely manner was challenging.

Solution:
An international collaboration to maximise funding potential
Both universities chose to partner with Idox for its ResearchConnect funding service – gaining access to its comprehensive, easy-to-use repository that allows institutions to search for and unlock thousands of domestic, European, and International funding opportunities.

ResearchConnect brings the universities closer to the latest funding schemes, delivering real-time updates, news, and commentary from sector and funding experts, as well as an intuitive funding search and alert function that ensures relevant opportunities are never missed. Dr. Jens Urny, Research Support Manager at Helmut Schmidt University, comments: “ResearchConnect perfectly meet our needs – by saving time, having easy access to systematically-processed funding information, together with the alert function when new, suitable funding programmes appear. The comprehensive data is a perfect tool to enable our young scientists to improve their first experiences with the national and international funding system.”

Dr. Daniela Lambertz, Research Associate at Bundeswehr University Munich, comments further: “It is essential that our source of funding information is comprehensive and easy to access. ResearchConnect meets our needs as it contains thousands of research funding opportunities from a breadth of funders. It’s also a great tool for young scientists to familiarise themselves with. As well as enabling scientists to unlock potential financial support, the solution has also proved invaluable for researchers and research support staff, offering them a quick and seamless way to identify project-specific funding – key to both universities’ development. In the case of UniBw M, it has enabled the university to pursue more international collaboration.”

Dr. Lambertz explains: “Our Research Services use the system for targeted funding research and for commenting on individual funding programmes.” It helps us tap into different funding pots through collaboration. The combination of content and functionality makes it a powerful tool, allowing UniBw M to be proactive in sourcing and securing external funding.”

Outcome:
A combined funding pot of more than €43 million achieved
In a short space of time, ResearchConnect has been instrumental in helping both universities secure millions of euros in funding. In 2017 alone, UniBw M and UniBw H secured €31.7 million and €12 million in funding, respectively – an achievement that would have been impossible to reach previously. The universities now benefit from functionality, including automatic email alerts based on saved searches, a newsflash service, intelligence and articles on key funding topics, and bespoke funding reports. These features combined allow both universities to unlock their funding potential and meet their broader research strategy goals. As the solution provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for funding information, both universities report time and resource savings as key benefits, giving researchers and funding support staff more time to focus on growing their research arm and developing their reputation.

Dr. Lambertz concludes: “Through the growing number of research projects, the universities have increased their visibility in the national and international research community.”