From Research to Impact: Empowering Researchers Through the HAFIS Intrapreneurship Academy

Abstract

This article presents the design, implementation, and preliminary outcomes of the Helmholtz Academy for Intrapreneurship (HAFIS), launched in 2023 with funding from the German Helmholtz Association. HAFIS addresses the persistent challenge of translating academic research into societal and economic impact by equipping researchers with entrepreneurial competencies and structured support for developing transfer-oriented projects. The nine-month programme combines milestone events, workshops, and individualised coaching to support participants from four Helmholtz centres in identifying, validating, and advancing research-based innovations. Structured around three key events—Kick Off, Mid Term, and Impact Day—HAFIS fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and enables researchers to apply entrepreneurial tools directly within their scientific practice. Guided by a human-centred, iterative design, the programme continuously evolves based on participant input to ensure contextual relevance and practical effectiveness. By June 2025, HAFIS had completed its second cycle, with a third beginning in September 2025. Initial findings suggest increased engagement, the emergence of early transfer initiatives, and shifts in institutional norms toward innovation-oriented research cultures. By embedding entrepreneurial thinking into research environments, HAFIS offers a transferable model for other institutions seeking to strengthen knowledge transfer and societal engagement within the academic sector.