F.A.S.T.: SPRIND Launches Innovation Competitions

To rapidly transform promising research findings into market-ready innovations, the High-Tech Agenda Germany (HTAD) has launched the F.A.S.T. transfer initiative. F.A.S.T. stands for Research, Spin-offs, Scaling, Transfer. Through a digital transfer marketplace, mentoring programmes, the provision of expertise in intellectual property protection and streamlined funding procedures, the initiative supports the rapid translation of research findings into applications.

The Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovations, SPRIND, has set itself the goal of supporting groundbreaking technologies and topics that can turn new inventions, products and ideas into reality. In doing so, it provides straightforward, flexible and unbureaucratic funding for projects that have the potential to change our world – entirely in line with the HTAD’s objectives.

A key element that SPRIND employs as part of F.A.S.T. is challenges and so-called ‘Funken’ (sparks). These serve to find solutions to issues where there is an urgent need for action. In the challenges, the specific problem for which a solution is to be found is clearly defined, but not the approach to be taken. ‘Funken’ are innovation competitions that have a significantly shorter duration than challenges and therefore deliver results even more quickly.

Focus on two of the six HTAD key technologies: quantum technologies and biotechnology

SPRIND has launched two ‘Funken’ on quantum sensor technology. In addition, a ‘Challenge’ is currently running on the topic of orbital biology: this focuses on biological research and biotechnological production in space. All three innovation competitions contribute directly to the HTAD’s objectives. Further information on the HTAD’s key technologies can be found here and in the respective roadmaps for quantum technologies (in German only) and biotechnology (in German only).

Challenge: Orbital Bioworks

The challenge is: “To develop and validate the first commercially viable use cases for orbital biotechnology with a clear, measurable microgravity advantage.” The aim is to unlock the potential of microgravity in drug discovery and the manufacture of cell therapies, and to further advance biotechnology in orbit.

‘Funke’: QuantumSense Exploration

To date, quantum sensor technology has utilised only a small fraction of the potentially available quantum systems and measurement methods. The QuantumSense Exploration initiative supports radically new approaches to make new quantum systems and measurement methods usable for quantum sensor technology.

• Further details on the call for proposals can be found on the QuantumSense Exploration initiative page. The deadline for applications is 6 September 2026 at 6.00 pm.

‘Funke’: Quantum-Driven Intelligence

This ‘Funke’ is designed to develop specific applications or scenarios in which the integration of quantum sensor technology into existing systems, models or evaluation methods significantly improves them and creates essential added value. The teams work on use cases they have defined themselves. The aim is to highlight applications that would be either impossible or significantly less effective without quantum sensor technology.

• Further details on the call for proposals can be found on the Quantum-Driven Intelligence Exploration page. The deadline for applications is 6 September 2026 at 6.00 pm.

The SPRIND Challenges and ‘Funken’ initiatives enable breakthrough innovations that can bring about lasting change to the world, whilst supporting the implementation of the High-Tech Agenda’s objectives.

Further information:

• Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovations (SPRIND)
• F.A.S.T.
• Roadmap Quantum Technology (in German only)
• Roadmap Biotechnology (in German only)