Yes, you can! The DHA team will support you to assemble a team with the complementary skills-set for success

Yes, multiple entries are possible and welcome to not put especially innovative institutes and clinics at a disadvantage.

Yes. Reapplying with the same project is possible under the condition that the project can show that it has developed further and that open questions from the prior application’s feedback have been addressed or solved. Applications identical to the prior application may not be considered.

Yes, you can apply even if you are receiving funding from another source, but you need to disclose all other funding sources, duration and the content of the funding during the application. It is important to clearly delineate which parts of the project are being funded by each source to avoid overlap. Not sharing other funding sources beforehand can cause elimination from the selection process.

It depends. Projects only seeking to validate external technology or to fund clinical trials are not eligible, since they are not pursuing the development of their solution. On the other hand, projects that require clinical validation and/or regulatory approval as part of their solution development can be funded. This is something the BIH DHA has longstanding experience with, and we will help teams in Stage 1 to understand the pathway and requirements and then support them with implementation in Stage 2.

No, as the DHA program specifically focuses on digital health solutions aimed at improving patient care and outcomes. Projects should have a clear application within healthcare, such as medical devices or health tech platforms. However, there are some use cases (in logistics, wellbeing, etc.) which may partially overlap with healthcare topics where we encourage you to discuss your project idea with a member of the BIH DHA team.

Completion time depends on the maturity of your project and the extent of existing documentation but typically takes a few hours. The application form is the primary input for the deep-dive review, so applicants are encouraged to provide clear, structured, and evidence-based responses. If you have any questions while completing the form, you are welcome to contact us or join an information sessions/office hour (see intranet).

Applications are evaluated in three sequential stages. First, a formal internal screening verifies that submissions meet predefined eligibility criteria including employment status, digital health topic, and a project focus on product development. Eligible applications then undergo a structured review, where each is independently assessed by external experts from business, medicine, and technology—using a standardized scoring rubric with predefined criteria and scoring scales. Reviewers’ scores are aggregated according to a defined weighting method. Finally, the highest-ranked projects are selected for a pitch day, where they present to an external selection committee that applies the same rubric-based evaluation framework assessing the pitch presentation and Q&A. Advancement to pitch day and recommendation for program participation are determined solely by aggregated scores and predefined ranking thresholds.

The scoring system is grouped into the areas assessed via the application form: Need and Solution (clinical need, solution fit, evidence, differentiation); Market and Competition (competitive position, demand, route to market); Impact Potential (commercial and societal); and Team and Development Path (team capability, plausibility of commercialization, quality of the workplan). The same evaluation system is applied at the deep dive and at pitch day.

Reviewers and jurors are required to declare any conflicts of interest upon receipt and review of each assigned application. If a conflict is identified at the deep dive stage, reviewers must recuse themselves from that application which is then to be reassigned to another eligible reviewer. At pitch day, jurors with a conflict of interest abstain from scoring the relevant project. All declarations, recusals, reassignments, and abstentions are documented to ensure transparency.

If your application is not selected, you will receive a brief notification. Reapplication in a future round is welcome. Applicants may contact us if they would like general feedback or guidance on potential next steps or relevant funding directions, where applicable.

The BIH DHA program regards mentoring as a key value-addition for participating teams. Therefore, our international mentor network consists of high-profile subject matter experts, seasoned industry professionals, experienced healthcare entrepreneurs and active digital health investors. Mentor performance is monitored continuously. See our mentors here https://dha.bihealth.org/get-in-touch-with-our-mentors.

Teams can access a growing pool of talents to grow their project teams in complementary areas as needed, of service providers to help develop the product, and of industry and investors to help bring the solution to patients.

Yes, you are free to conduct research in parallel to the project in the BIH DHA as long as you clearly delineate research and project goals, activities and resources. It is important to avoid double funding between research grants and BIH DHA funding. Each activity needs to have its own purpose and budget. Furthermore, publications related to your proposed solution should follow a coherent IP and publication strategy.

Please refer to the latest ZVA “Standard Spin-off Terms” (Intranet). For any questions, please contact the technology transfer office Charité BIH Innovation.

During Stage 1, projects are not formally scored or ranked. Progress is monitored against the milestones outlined in the Award Letter, and the BIH DHA team provides ongoing feedback to support development and ensure alignment with program objectives. Formal evaluation takes place only at the end of Stage 1. Stage 2 selection is based on the same criteria used in the initial selection process. External assessors review each team’s final pitch and proposed roadmap for Stage 2, with a focus on progress toward the project’s commercialization goal. Stage 1 is structured to help teams develop a clear and comprehensive understanding of their project in preparation for this final evaluation.

If your project requires more time during BIH DHA Stage 2, you may request an extension which will be externally evaluated based on reasons for the delay, progress made and potential for successful completion. Extensions are not guaranteed but are granted on a case-by-case basis

If your project does not meet its milestones, the BIH DHA team will work with you to understand the obstacles and explore options for adjusting the plan. In some cases, we may provide additional support to help overcome challenges. If further research is required before the concentrated development can proceed, we will help evaluate other funding options. You are welcome to reapply and rejoin the program once the obstacle has been addressed. However, if continuation is not feasible, project funding may be discontinued.

Yes, project pivots are allowed if justified by new insights or challenges. The BIH DHA team must be informed proactively of any changes to the project plan, and updates must be reflected in the Milestone Plan to ensure alignment with the program's goals.

The working language at the BIH DHA is English as we work with international teams, mentors, advisors, etc. For interactions with BIH/Charité administrative offices, however, we highly recommend having at least one team member with sufficient German language proficiency.

BIH Digital Labs, home of the BIH Digital Health Accelerator, is located at Am Zirkus / Bertolt-Brecht-Platz 3 near Charité Campus Mitte and S-Bahnhof Friedrichstraße. No matter where you need to hurry to when clinical obligations come up – this is a highly traffic-efficient location.

The BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy focuses on individual support for each career phase, from a PhD scholarship to the (Junior) (Digital) Clinician Scientist Program and the Advanced Clinician Scientist Program. The SPARK-BIH program supports translational projects in the fields of ATMP, biotech, pharma, and medical devices. All programs are generally compatible with BIH DHA participation as long as double funding is excluded. Therefore, prior information from the applicant and coordination with the respective program management is absolutely necessary.