Transformation Laboratory University
Funding program by the Stifterverband to strengthen cooperation between universities and municipalities in Germany. One-year support with workshops, coaching, networking, and financial funding of €25,000. Applications for the 2025/26 funding phase are possible.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The aim of the program is to strengthen universities together with municipalities as active drivers of regional transformation processes – with the corresponding self-conception, strategies, and competencies. Selected tandems will be empowered within the framework of a one-year program through peer learning, coaching, workshops, strategic impulses, and networking to implement concrete transformation projects in their regions and to establish long-term cooperation structures.
Eligible expenses
- Material costs
- Personnel cost reimbursement
Non-eligible expenses
- Investments in infrastructure
- Retroactive costs
Eligible to apply
- Educational Institutions
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Cooperation between a public university or college and a municipality
- Submission of a concrete transformation or multi-stakeholder project
- Willingness to participate in workshops, coaching sessions, and strategy workshops
Evaluation criteria
- Quality of the university-community cooperation
- Relevance of the transformation project for the region
- Degree of innovation and multi-stakeholder approach
Description
The Transformation Lab for Higher Education is a nationwide funding program offered by the Stifterverband that supports universities and municipalities in establishing themselves as drivers of regional transformation processes. In a twelve-month accompanying format, tandems consisting of two representatives each from the strategic leadership level and the operational implementation level of a public university as well as a partner municipality form a consortium. These tandems bring in a concrete transformation or multi-stakeholder project and receive a total amount of 25,000 euros (100% funding rate) to cover material costs and personnel reimbursements. In parallel to the financial support, participants receive non-material assistance through peer learning, coaching sessions, four digital workshops, and strategic networking impulses to advance their joint initiatives in a targeted manner.
The focus is on the joint development of strategies, structures, and competencies to systematically address future challenges – from digitalization and climate protection to strengthening rural areas. The tandems reflect on their shared vision within the framework of an internal strategy workshop and establish contacts with experts from academia, politics, and civil society. As a rotation phase for 2025/26, public universities and colleges can apply together with a municipality. Selected tandems are empowered to enhance the innovation capacity of their region, build lasting cooperation structures, and effectively implement concrete transformation projects. The close integration of strategic leadership and operational implementation makes the Transformation Lab for Higher Education a central driver for sustainable regional development.
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