National Translational Tandem Program for Gene- and Cell-based Therapies (nTTP-GCT)

As one measure of the National Strategy for Gene- and Cell-based Therapies (National Strategy GCT) the BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy (BIA) has designed and implemented a new personal funding line called the “national Translational Tandem Program for Gene- and Cell-Based Therapies” (nTTP-GCT). 

The funding is intended to help build and expand translational expertise in the field of GCT. To this end, clinical and non-clinical scientists are given time for research (“protected time”) and specific training and education opportunities are offered. At the same time, the aim is to strengthen Germany-wide networking between stakeholders from academia and industry who are involved in training, career development, and research and development, and to intensify cross-sector exchange.

The funding is structured as follows:
Tandems – consisting of a Junior Clinician Scientist (JCS; research-active physician within his/her residency) and a Translational Scientist (TS; scientist working on a medically relevant research project and not involved in patient care) – will work together (complementarily) on a translational project in the GCT field and actively participate in building GCT expertise and networks.

During the two-year funding period, program participants will receive support with regard to
a) their position financing with contractually guaranteed research time (up to 50 %)
b) the financing of project-related travel
c) a budget for consumables, and
d) training and networking activities.

Academic and non-academic research institutions as well as industrial companies based in Germany that nominate their candidates for the Junior Clinician Scientist (JCS) and/or Translational Scientist (TS) positions by name, are eligible to apply for the nTTP-GCT funding line.

For further eligibility requirements, please refer to the current funding guideline.

The application documents can be submitted by the tandem partners themselves, as their employers' (= applicant institutions) knowledge and consent are confirmed by the respective forms to be submitted.

One joint application must be submitted per tandem. The application documents must be prepared jointly by both tandem partners and submitted via the BIH application and reporting portal.

Applications from tandems from different organizations (e.g., research institutes from different federal states) and/or academia-industry collaborations are particularly welcome.

After formal review, all applications received undergo a two-stage selection process: In stage 1, the nTTP-GCT Panel of Experts reviews the written applications and a pre-selection takes place. In stage 2, the pre-selected tandem candidates are invited to a digital selection colloquium, where they present themselves and their joint research project to the panel.

The pilot call for proposals was published from October 1st to November 7th, 2024. The selection process has been completed and funding for the nine selected tandems has begun in spring 2025.

The second call for proposals ran from June 26th to August 22nd, 2025. The selection process for the tandems, whose funding can start in January 2026, is currently underway.

Further calls for proposals are planned and will be announced here in good time.

                               You can find more news HERE 

Dr. Nathalie Huber is joint head of BIA and Head of the Clinician Scientist Office. She holds a PhD in Sociology of Science and has many years of experience in professional science management. Since 2016, she has been contributing her expertise to the empirically based conceptualisation of target group-specific instruments for academic personnel development in biomedicine. Moreover, together with her interdisciplinary team she evaluates career programs and analyses career trajectories in translational research. 

Dr. Iwan Meij is joint head of BIA. He holds a PhD in medical sciences and molecular biology and has a long-time experience in the development of career support measures for early career biomedical researchers, including career stage specific, tailormade learning offers. Originally from the Max Delbrück Center, where among other things, he coordinated the Helmholtz PhD-Research School TransCard, he transferred to BIH in 2013 to coordinate its educational branch, which later became BIH´s Biomedical Innovation Academy. 

Gabriela Böhme is a certified biologist with many years of experience in biomedical research and development as well as in study and project management (industry and academia).

As coordinator of the nTTP-GCT, she is the first point of contact for fellows and interested parties.