For five years, DESY and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) have combined their expertise in fundamental and applied research. At a ceremony on 12 October 2026, DESY Director Beate Heinemann, Hamburg’s Senator for Science Maryam Blumenthal and Axel Wagenitz, Vice-President for Research and Transfer at HAW Hamburg, signed a joint document outlining the next phase of their collaboration. Three priority areas will shape the partnership through to 2032.

How can scientific discoveries be translated into new technologies? And how can students become involved in research at an early stage? These questions have been at the heart of KAI, the partnership for application and innovation between DESY and HAW Hamburg, since its launch in 2021. To mark its fifth anniversary, the partners looked back on joint projects at a ceremony at HAW Hamburg and set out new priorities for the years ahead.

“Hamburg is at its strongest when our scientific institutions bring together their different strengths,” said Maryam Blumenthal, Hamburg’s Senator for Science. KAI demonstrated how fundamental research and applied science could work together to develop practical solutions, including more efficient ways of producing green hydrogen. The partnership also opened up opportunities for young talent to move from the lecture theatre into the laboratory. “What began as an initial impulse has grown into something that now stands on its own. With this position paper, we are jointly reaffirming that fundamental research and practical application make a strong team in Hamburg.”

Joint research opens up new perspectives

DESY Director Beate Heinemann also emphasized the value of bringing together different scientific perspectives. “New scientific ideas often emerge where different perspectives and methods meet,” she said. “That is precisely what makes our partnership so valuable: we combine DESY’s fundamental research and research infrastructures with HAW Hamburg’s expertise in application-oriented research.”

Since KAI was launched, the partnership has generated joint research projects spanning fields including data science, materials research and the life sciences. Topics range from functionalised biomaterials designed to improve the UV protection of textiles to virtual reality applications for experiments at DESY’s PETRA III X-ray source. Machine learning and nonlinear optics are also being explored in collaborative projects.

An important instrument is KAI’s seed funding programme, which provides initial funding for new research ideas. In the next phase, it is intended to help develop promising ideas into larger research programmes, third-party-funded projects, technology transfer activities and start-ups.

Three priority areas through to 2032

DESY and HAW Hamburg have agreed on three priorities for the next phase of their partnership. Under “Talent and careers”, the partners aim to further develop practice-oriented and dual study programmes, expand joint doctoral activities and create new career pathways between the two institutions. Joint appointment models are also envisaged.

The second priority area, “Digital technologies for science and society”, brings together expertise in data science, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. The aim is to make digital methods more widely available for research as well as for applications benefiting society and industry.

The third area, “Innovation through joint research”, focuses on developing a joint strategy for securing external research funding and initiating further collaborative projects at regional, national and European levels. Plans include joint demonstrators, test environments and real-world laboratories. The future PETRA IV X-ray microscope is also expected to serve as a driver of technological development and innovation.

Ute Lohrentz, President of HAW Hamburg, also highlighted the opportunities for early-career researchers: “In the next phase, we want to create clear pathways for students and early-career researchers – from their first research experiences and joint doctoral projects through to leadership opportunities and the possibility of becoming a professor.” At the same time, the partners aim to translate scientific findings into practical applications and technology transfer more quickly.

Developing new ideas together

The KAI Forum, held after the ceremony, focused on new ideas for collaboration. Pitch sessions, poster presentations and information stands gave researchers from both institutions the opportunity to explore joint approaches, develop ideas and establish new contacts.

In the coming years, KAI aims to strengthen the links between fundamental research and applied science even further. DESY and HAW Hamburg intend to advance new technologies, support early-career researchers and make scientific knowledge more widely useful to society and industry.