FITS3 specifically strengthens the transfer of research into practice. New collaborations between science and industry are emerging in the future fields of bioeconomy, cyber security, and logistics and artificial intelligence. The aim is to enable innovations to become effective more quickly in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Ruhr region and to specifically transfer international impulses into the regional economy.
FITS3 stands for „Fostering Long-term Innovation Transfer in S3-Networks“ and aims to sustainably improve knowledge transfer between research and business. The focus is on small and medium-sized enterprises, which often have limited access to current research findings, technologies, and international networks.
The project picks up exactly here: It specifically networks companies, research institutions, and technology centres in the Ruhr region and beyond – particularly with international players from science and business. This creates new partnerships and concrete innovation projects that significantly shorten the path from idea to application. FITS3 creates targeted connections and reliable formats to systematically transfer knowledge into application.
The project focuses on three future fields of particular importance for the region and with high innovation potential.
In the fields of bioeconomy, biotechnology, and biomedicine, competences are particularly being developed in Biosecurity Competence Centre for Biological Safety concentrated and further developed in Bönen. In Bochum, the focus is on cybersecurity, a central future topic for business and society, supported by the technology centres of Bochum Economic Development Agency. Dortmund, in turn, forms another strong focus with logistics and artificial intelligence, particularly through the TechnologieZentrumDortmund.
These fields are exemplary of the Ruhr area's smart specialisation and offer ideal starting points for new innovation networks. All three thematic fields are specifically integrated into international exchange and cooperation formats in order to incorporate new impulses from leading innovation ecosystems in Europe and beyond.
The Ruhr Business Metropolis takes over the consortium leadership and coordination of the project.
FITS3 follows a clearly structured approach: First, relevant topic areas, stakeholders and potentials are systematically analysed. Building on this, networks are specifically activated and expanded – both within the region and in the European context.
The focus is on formats such as workshops, matchmaking events and delegation trips, which enable direct exchange between companies and research. International partners are also specifically involved to bring new impetus, technologies and cooperation opportunities to the region. In addition, transfer modules are developed that are tailored to the practical needs of SMEs.
The insights and experiences are continuously evaluated and developed, also with regard to the impact of international cooperation, in order to establish long-term sustainable structures for knowledge transfer.
The project runs until 31 May 2029 and is coordinated by Business Metropole Ruhr GmbH. Implementation is being carried out in collaboration with project partners at the sites in Bönen, Bochum and Dortmund.
