Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Contract Research

Transferring new ideas, research results and inventions into the economy and society is a strategic objective of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and is becoming more important. Humboldt-Innovation GmbH HI promotes and manages research and development agreements as well as contracts for scientific services between HU scientists and private companies or the public sector on behalf of Humboldt-Universität.

Research and development agreements are necessary if third party research funding sources do not or do not want to act upon a notice of appropriation of funding or an allocation decision. A contract for scientific services is required if only state-of-the-art technology/knowledge is applied in the project. On behalf of the Vice President for Research, both types of contracts will be negotiated and signed by Humboldt-Innovation GmbH (HI) for the project manager. The project manager is not authorized to legally sign such contracts. The signing by HI ensures the legal use of HU resources, such as the staff, infrastructure or intellectual property.

The following types of third-party financing can be agreed upon and
carried out by HI:

  • All projects contracted by private sector companies, as well as contracts by not-for-profit/non-governmental organisations
  • Contracts and tenders by the public sector institutions
  • Sub-contracts from research projects from public institutions/agencies


Please review the delimitation criteria for research cooperation and
contract research and mind the information on VAT.

For an individual consultation on terms and conditions for contract
research and scientific services, please contact:

Research Management / Contract Management
Jens Fenzau
Tel: +49 (30) 2093 70776
E-mail: jf@humboldt-innovation.de

Contract Management / HR
Christine Kapps
Tel: +49 (30) 2093 70777
E-mail: ck@humboldt-innovation.de