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Since 2011, KIT and the Heidelberg University have combined their complementary competencies in specific research fields (research bridges) in the HEiKA Research Bridges (formerly known as Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership) in order to leverage synergies and increase international visibility.
The goals of founding the HEiKA Research Bridges were to bring together the strengths of both institutions in basic research, but also to promote transformative research approaches with "barrier-free" transition from basic research to innovation in order ultimately to be able to jointly address the major societal challenges through interdisciplinary research approaches. Optimal conditions for this research cooperation are provided by the complementary structure and long-term cooperation of the Heidelberg University with KIT.
Within the first five years of collaboration between the two partners, the focus was on the five topics Advanced Imaging Platform (AIP), Medical Technology for Health (MTH), Nature, Technology and Society (NTS), Organic Electronics (OE) and Synthetic Biology (SB ). Following the evaluation of HEiKA by an international panel of experts at the beginning of 2016, cooperation within HEiKA Research Bridges has been extended to six research bridges and its profiles have been sharpened again.
Within the Research Bridges, start-up funds for joint research projects are awarded annually by the Research Board. As part of this project funding, but also in the, since July 2016 active, HEiKA Center for "Functional Materials and Technologies for 3D Structures and Systems (FunTECH-3D)" in particular, the promotion of young scientists will be supported and thus contribute to the profile development of young Scientists after graduation done.
The HEiKA Research Bridges wants to contribute to increasing the research reputation, scientific output and international visibility of KIT and Heidelberg University.
To achieve this, both partners are intensifying their joint efforts with a view to the following goals:
- Pooling complementary competencies
- Increasing national and international competitiveness by achieving "critical mass"
- Initiation and support of cooperation projects in the research bridges
- Implementation of new or further development of existing research bridges
HEiKA is led by a "Board of Directors", in which each research bridge is equally represented by two scientists - one from the KIT and the other from the Heidelberg University. In addition, since 2016, two representatives of young academics have been appointed as advisory members of the Board.
Some of the main responsibilities of the Board of Directors are:
- Direction of HEiKA Research Bridges
- Further development of research bridges
- Implementation of the strategic decisions of the Strategic Board (eg establishment of new research bridges)
- Promotion of joint research activities
The annual selection and decision to finance HEiKA projects is made by the Extended Board of Directors.
The Board is composed of the members of the aforementioned Board of Directors, chaired by the Vice Rector for Research and Transfer of Heidelberg University and the Vice President for Research of KIT.
Contact the HEiKA Office
@ KIT - Campus Nord
Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1
76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
Fon: + 49 721 608 22035/37
@ Heidelberg University
Im Neuenheimer Feld 329
69120 Heidelberg
Fon: +49 6221 54 5541
All daily affairs are managed by the HEiKA Management Team. In addition to the administrative support of the HEiKA projects and the support of the HEiKA Boards, some of the main responsibilities of the HEiKA Management Team are:
- Organization of annual HEiKA project tenders
- Reporting and controlling
- Public relations (website, information, etc.)
- Event management
Contact Persons
