Funding for projects aiming to improve research software in Helmholtz research centres.

The Helmholtz Association is a union of 18 scientific-technical and biological-medical research centres.

The ScienceServe: Boosting Research Software at Helmholtz call aims to support projects that significantly improve the quality, long-term sustainability, reusability and visibility of research software within the Helmholtz Association.

Proposals should target one or more of the following objectives:

• Promote the adoption of proven research software engineering practices and methodologies to enhance accessibility, usability, maintainability and software quality.
• Facilitate the implementation of the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) adapted to research software.
• Foster community building and capacity development among research software developers.
• Enable software designed for specific disciplines to be adapted and utilised in other research fields or industry.
• Advance technological maturity of scientifically valuable software.

The call is open to Helmholtz researchers, software engineers and teams affiliated with Helmholtz research centres. Collaborative proposals involving more than one Helmholtz Centre will be given priority.

Each project may apply for up to €200,000 from the Initiative and Networking Fund (INF). Staff, travel expenses and cost for consumables are eligible for funding. In the case of cooperation between centres, a maximum of 70% of INF funds can be awarded to a single Helmholtz Centre. Participating centres must provide matching funds equivalent to the INF contribution. Projects may run for 18 to 21 months.

Interested parties are invited to an online Information Event discussing the current call for proposals on 25 June 2026 (9:30-11:00 CEST). Registration is required.