HI Projects: Helmholtz’ Finger on the Pulse of Imaging

Medical imaging that guides surgeons with unparalleled precision. AI-driven tools that revolutionize environmental monitoring. Deep learning solutions that accelerate scientific discoveries. A novel X-ray imaging technique that helps develop more durable and sustainable materials. What do these scientific advances have in common? They are all outcomes of Helmholtz Imaging Projects.

Since the launch of the first projects in 2020, Helmholtz Imaging has become a driving force in fostering innovation, collaboration, and knowledge transfer across disciplines. Today, with 35 projects funded, 23 currently running, 7 completed, and 5 starting soon, Helmholtz Imaging demonstrates its commitment to advancing imaging science and making a real-world impact.

Bringing Science and Community Together

Helmholtz Imaging Projects go beyond funding research. They create a thriving network of experts, enabling fascinating discoveries across research fields. With over 100 working groups across Helmholtz Centers and collaborations with more than 30 external partners, these projects are deeply embedded in the scientific community.

Helmholtz Imaging takes an innovative and impact-driven approach to research funding, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring real-world relevance. Unlike traditional funding programs, it actively encourages projects to engage external stakeholders from the start, aligning research outcomes with real user needs. By involving early adopters early on, projects are more likely to achieve meaningful impact while also benefiting from a strong network that enhances knowledge transfer and long-term sustainability.

Through its unique seed-funding model, Helmholtz Imaging provides crucial early-stage support, allowing groundbreaking ideas to gain momentum. Many projects successfully secure follow-up grants, attract industry partnerships, or evolve into larger research consortia, significantly amplifying their impact. A key differentiator from other funding schemes is Helmholtz Imaging’s emphasis on continuous engagement and tailored support. Annual meetings provide funded teams with dedicated space to showcase progress, receive constructive feedback, and discuss their approaches directly with Helmholtz Imaging experts. These interactions ensure that projects remain on track, adapt to emerging challenges, and maximize their potential for success.

Beyond funding, Helmholtz Imaging integrates projects into a dynamic research ecosystem, offering partner matchmaking, proposal refinement, expert consulting, software development, and community events. As projects near completion, upscaling workshops and dissemination support help ensure lasting impact, facilitating further funding opportunities and real-world implementation. By prioritizing collaboration, progress evaluation, and long-term sustainability, Helmholtz Imaging empowers researchers to push the boundaries of innovation and drive meaningful advancements in imaging science.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• 8+ published HI Solutions, resulted from the projects so far, accessible through HI CONNECT
• 40+ journal papers published, alongside additional outputs like videos, datasets, and books
• 11 PhD theses resulting from project research
• 2 patents, 1 spin-off, and 5+ benchmark datasets generated
• Collaborations to date include private companies, 18 research institutions, and 6 public entities, showcasing strong transfer potential

Core Achievements: How HI Projects Drive Impact

Strengthening Networks & Building Community

Helmholtz Imaging Projects break down silos and connect experts across fields. By acting as communication hubs, these projects allow researchers from different disciplines to exchange insights, develop new collaborations, and refine methods through shared knowledge.

“SATOMI changed the way we work with data and how our PhD students approach complex datasets. We are on a different level right now.”

SATOMI & EMSIG PI Kohlheyer

Fostering Knowledge Transfer & Innovation

Helmholtz Imaging provides seed funding that often leads to follow-up grants, industry applications, or even the formation of larger research consortia. The projects act as incubators for high-risk, high-gain ideas, many of which have already been successfully transferred to industry and society.

• DIPLO‘s impact: The project’s community interactions at the Helmholtz Imaging Conference led to the development of AqQua, a groundbreaking initiative in AI-driven plankton monitoring, under the framework of the Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative.
• SIM & UCS: These projects successfully transitioned from research to governmental use and industry applications.
• SATOMI, SmartPhase, and MultiSat4SLOWS: Secured follow-up funding, demonstrating the sustainability of HI-funded research.

Empowering Early Career Scientists

Beyond research, Helmholtz Imaging serves as a training ground for early-career scientists, equipping them with essential project management and grant-writing skills.

“I gained considerable project management experience since a lot of planning, scheduling, and financial work were involved. This process actually helped me shape my future career accordingly.”

EMSIG researcher

“[…] this project is the first I conceptualized, planned, and applied for myself. I definitely learned a lot about planning a research project […]”

X-BRAIN researcher

Through hands-on involvement, young scientists gain experience in budgeting, writing proposals, and leading interdisciplinary teams – skills that pave the way for future leadership roles.

Bridging Research & Industry

The strong collaboration with private companies and public institutions ensures that research is not confined to academic circles. The 2024 call introduced a Co-Design Track, providing additional funding to projects with a direct industry application. This initiative strengthens the bridge between academic research and real-world implementation.

Impact in Action: HI Solutions Making a Difference

Several Helmholtz Imaging Projects have already yielded tangible, open-access solutions, showcased on the HI CONNECT platform. A few highlights:

• Tinto: A multisensor benchmark dataset for 3D Hyperspectral Point Cloud Segmentation, accelerating geological deep learning applications.
• UTILE-OXY: Deep learning-based video analysis tools for oxygen bubble evolution in PEM water electrolyzers, streamlining renewable energy research.
• microbeSEG: AI-powered segmentation tools for microbial research, enabling faster and more accurate biological imaging.

Discover all HI Solutions by our HI Projects: UTILE-GEN, CellSium, ObiWan-Microbi, SIM

Pushing the Boundaries of Science

Helmholtz Imaging Projects are advancing imaging techniques, and driving innovation and cutting-edge research. Examples include:

• BENIGN: A pioneering project in short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging that recently won the Helmholtz High Impact Award 2024. This innovative imaging technique improves tumor detection and surgical precision.
• JIMM: Combining geophysics and neurology, this project repurposes subsurface imaging methods to detect neurodegenerative diseases—a true interdisciplinary breakthrough.

The Road Ahead

With new projects launching, Helmholtz Imaging remains committed to supporting the imaging science community. The impact of these projects extends beyond publications and patents – providing generalizing solutions, fostering collaboration, enabling real-world applications, and helping researchers develop their careers.
Helmholtz Imaging Projects stand for innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence. As our community continues to grow, we’re ready to be at their side, each step of the way.

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Call to Action

Interested in joining or collaborating? Explore the latest HI Solutions, join fellow imaging enthusiast on HI CONNECT and stay tuned for upcoming funding opportunities! The new call for HI Projects will open in May 2025. Discover all HI Projects.