- What is the IFW Technology Transfer Office (WTT) and what does it offer?
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We support scientists throughout the entire innovation process — from the first idea to commercialization or spin-off.
Our services include:
Individual consultation on IP, validation funding, and exploitation strategies
Workshops and training programs on innovation management, patenting, entrepreneurship, and transfer methods (e.g., Design Thinking, Effectuation)
Access to internal and external funding, such as the IQ@IFW validation program or external grants like EXIST and Sachsenpatent
Networking with partners from academia, industry, and investment ,
Online tools on our website: self-assessment (IRL), idea check, FAQs, and templates for transfer-related applications
Our goal is to make excellent science at IFW Dresden visible, valuable, and impactful — for the economy, for society, and for future innovation.
- How can I get in touch with the WTT team?
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You can reach us via the contact form on our website or book an appointment directly through the WTT calendar. Our team offers tailored consultations for researchers, startups, and partners -or just come around @ room A2E.01
- What is the goal of the IQ@IFW Validation Funding program?
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The IQ@IFW Validation Funding program aims to bridge the gap between research and real-world application by supporting the validation and further development of promising scientific results.
For scientists, this means turning research outcomes into tangible, verifiable innovations — increasing their technology’s readiness level (IRL) and enhancing its potential for transfer, licensing, or spin-off creation. The program not only provides financial support (up to €100,000) but also offers structured mentoring, expert feedback, and visibility within the innovation ecosystem.
Ultimately, it empowers researchers to strengthen their project’s impact, improve its market or application relevance, and gain valuable experience in innovation management and translational research.
- What are the two funding modules (Fast Move & Impact Module)?
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Fast Move supports short, focused measures up to €12,000 to raise one IRL dimension.
Impact Module supports larger, multi-dimensional projects up to €100,000 over 6–9 months.
- What is the maximum amount of funding available?
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The funding can amount to up to €100,000 per project idea, depending on the module chosen and the proposed measures. This means that you could split this amount to start with an initial "fast move module" and then apply for additional funding (the difference budget). However, the total sum of €100,000 must not be exceeded.
- Which costs and activities are eligible?
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Eligible costs include technical validation, prototyping, market and IP analyses, legal and regulatory studies, and business model development. For low-threshold access, we have pre-evaluated support services and offer thematic modules to specifically address progress in the IRL-level.
- Can personnel costs be funded under IQ@IFW?
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Yes, personnel costs directly related to project execution are eligible according to the program’s cost model.
- What is the typical duration of a funded project?
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Projects usually run for 3–6 months (Fast Move) or 6–9 months (Impact Module).
- How long does the approval process take?
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Decisions are typically made within 3–4 weeks after submission and expert evaluation.
- How do I apply for validation funding?
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Submit the application form (PDF or online) and schedule a consultation with the WTT team. After review, you will present your idea in a short online session with the Validation Board.
- What documents do I need to submit?
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A completed application form with 5 questions related to short project description, planned IRL progress, and cost overview.
- What is the role of the Validation Board?
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The Validation Board is an interdisciplinary panel of experts that reviews and advises all applications submitted under the IQ@IFW program. Its role is to assess the plausibility, feasibility, and innovation potential of proposed projects — not competitively, but based on their readiness and expected impact.
The Board combines expertise from science, technology transfer, and business development, including specialists from:
White IP Patent & Legal GmbH – intellectual property and patent strategy
INC Innovation Center GmbH – market validation, business modeling, and prototyping
LZE Innovation – technology demonstration and industrial collaboration
Gründernest GmbH – startup coaching and entrepreneurial mindset development
Together with internal IFW experts, the Board ensures that each project receives qualified, practical feedback and tailored recommendations to advance its innovation readiness and transfer potential.
- How are applications evaluated?
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Projects are assessed on plausibility, ethical compliance, and potential to advance IRL maturity rather than direct competition between applicants.
- What are Innovation Readiness Levels (IRL) and why are they important?
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IRLs measure the maturity of an innovation across five dimensions—technology, customer, business, IP, and team—helping to identify needed support for successful transfer.
- What is an invention disclosure and when should I submit it?
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An invention disclosure is the formal notification of a new idea to IFW. Submit it before any public disclosure to ensure patent eligibility. Formular can be downloaded on our Startup journey webpage.
- What support does IFW provide for patent applications?
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IFW’s IP team head Dr. Uwe Siegel advises on patent strategy, prior art searches, and liaises with patent attorneys to prepare and file applications.
- What support does IFW provide for patent applications?
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IFW’s IP team head Dr. Uwe Siegel advises on patent strategy, prior art searches, and liaises with patent attorneys to prepare and file applications.
- What is covered by the Sachsenpatent program?
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he Sachsenpatent program, funded by the Free State of Saxony, supports public research institutions like IFW Dresden in protecting and exploiting their intellectual property. It covers all key steps of the patenting and commercialization process through four service packages (LP1–LP4):
LP1 – Evaluation of Research Results: (1800 €)
Assessment of the invention’s novelty and state of the art, evaluation of market potential, and support in developing an IP protection strategy. (Must be completed before patent filing.)
LP2 – IP Applications and Follow-up Filings: (40% of costs)
Covers official patent office fees and patent attorney costs for initial and subsequent national or international applications.
LP3 – Commercialization Activities: (2500 €)
Consulting on exploitation options, development of IP-based commercialization strategies, preparation of non-disclosure or licensing agreements, and support in identifying and approaching potential licensees.
LP4 – Portfolio Management and Further Exploitation: (400 €)
Support in maintaining and managing IP portfolios, continuing commercialization activities, and evaluating follow-up opportunities.
Together, these packages help transform protected inventions into real economic or societal impact — from idea evaluation to successful technology transfer.
- Can I protect trademarks or design rights through IFW?
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Yes, IFW supports researchers in registering trademarks and design rights for institutional and spin-off use.
- What is Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) and why does it matter?
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FTO analyses ensure your technology doesn’t infringe existing patents, reducing legal risks before market entry.
- Does IFW support spin-offs and startups?
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Yes. IFW encourages spin-offs as a vital path for innovation transfer, offering guidance on validation, IP, and business model development. Find inital links and meassures on our Startup Journey website or simply contact WTT team.
- What is the first step if I want to create a spin-off?
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Contact the WTT team to discuss your idea and potential funding. You can apply for start-up support or connect with our partner network. You might also submit a self assessment of your idea using our online form "Check your idea" . We will contact you based on this information.
- Are there training programs or workshops for entrepreneurs?
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Yes, WTT offers workshops on IP, funding, design thinking, and effectuation-based entrepreneurship. Please check our website for startups.
- Can IFW help me find investors or external funding sources?
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Yes, through our partnerships with programs such as futureSAX, EXIST, and Science4Life.
- What networks or partners can I access through IFW?
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You gain access to a broad ecosystem of academic, industrial, and public partners — including Gründernest, LZE, INC, and White IP.
- What does the IRL model assess?
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The IRL model (KTH Innovation trademark) evaluates innovation maturity across five dimensions—technology (TRL), customer (CRL), business (BRL), team (TMRL), and IP (IPRL) by well defined criterias for level 1 to 9. Please check webseite on IRL-level information in detail.
- What are TRL, CRL, BRL, TMRL, and IPRL?
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They represent readiness levels (1-9) for technology, customer validation, business modeling, team capability, and intellectual property protection based on the criteria provided by KTH innovation.
- How can I estimate my current IRL?
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Use the self-assessment tool on our website (Check your idea) or during a consultation with the WTT team to position your project on the IRL scale.
- Is there an online tool for self-assessment?
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Yes, the WTT website offers an interactive self-assessment aligned with the KTH IRL framework called "check your idea" . Its using NABC approach to structure your idea (Need, Approach, Benefit, Competition) .
- What happens after the IRL assessment?
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Based on your readiness profile, you’ll receive tailored recommendations and access to support modules and funding opportunities.
