With the “ScienceForGood” crowdfunding competition 2022, the Fraunhofer Future Foundation is involving the general public in its decision on funding allocation for the first time ever. In crowdfunding, a large number of individuals (the crowd) support a project or venture that is in need of funding, typically via an internet platform. By donating, the individuals determine whether a project sounds convincing and should be carried out. Crowdfunding is often seen as an early market indicator. “The pilot campaigns we have run previously showed that crowdfunding can be an effective communication tool. It is a good way of building networks and identifying collaboration partners,” notes Alexandra Goßner, communications advisor at the Fraunhofer Future Foundation and project manager for “ScienceForGood.”

Each vote counts!

The foundation will provide total funding of 120,000 euros for the competition. However, it is not the committees of the foundation that will decide on how the funds are to be allocated — it is the supporters, aka the crowd. Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, the chairman of the foundation, explains: “In line with our new mission, we want to engage in an active dialogue with the general public and give ordinary citizens a degree of involvement in our decisions. This crowdfunding initiative is our first foray into allocating funds through community participation.” During the initial phase of the competition, the Fraunhofer Future Foundation will double each euro donated by supporters. The most successful projects will be awarded additional prize money — the determining factor being the number of supporters, not the total value of the donations. 

Six research projects on sustainability

When selecting the participating teams, the Fraunhofer Future Foundation looked for projects that were both aimed at the general public and promoted sustainability. Since its policy change in 2020, the foundation has aligned its funding activities with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDGs) and the research expertise of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “We are focusing our funding activity on projects that do good, benefit society and make our world a somewhat better place. So the same applies to our crowdfunding competition,” explains Andreas Dockhorn, program manager at the Fraunhofer Future Foundation. For the six participating teams, all that remains to say is: ready, steady, research! The following projects will be open for donations on the Startnext platform until November 30, 2022: 

• 2detect Covid or flu? A 2-in-1 test delivering fast and reliable results to ensure correct treatment. (Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME) 
• Learning to generate AI Learn AIfES: Become part of the crowd for the open-source project AIfES and create the free-of-charge, hands-on webinar for a practical introduction. (Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IMS) 
• No more mountains of trash! We want to recycle plastic-based disposable medical engineering products for a more sustainable world! (Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU) 
• Eco label for your goods transport The CO2 comparison platform for consumer goods transport. (Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW) 
• Phosphate trap Inspired by nature: Proteins assist with phosphate recovery, ensuring clean water and more sustainable handling of resources. (Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB) 
• YES! Your e-bike & pedelec safety. (Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI)