The BMFTR call invites projects that address high‑relevance clinical studies and systematic reviews to close evidence gaps in patient care. The aim is to generate robust data on efficacy, safety, and implementation of therapies, thereby accelerating the transfer of research findings into everyday medical practice.

Eligibility: Applicants must be German institutions with a non‑commercial mandate – universities, research institutes, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, or civil society organisations with legal personality. Commercial companies are only eligible in exceptional cases when they also operate as health‑care providers; otherwise they may participate as subcontractors. All applicants must have a physical presence in Germany at the time of funding disbursement.

Funding scope: Four modules are supported: 1. Confirmatory and exploratory clinical trials – investigator‑initiated, multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled studies with patient interventions and confirmatory objectives; or small exploratory studies (Phase IIb) preparing larger trials. 2. Systematic reviews of clinical trials – high‑quality, methodologically sound reviews following international standards, including updates of existing reviews. 3. Concept phases with active patient participation – planning stages where patients and relevant stakeholders shape study design or review protocols. 4. Methodological support projects (SWATs) – studies within a trial that optimise trial conduct.

Funding terms: Grants are non‑repayable up to 100 % of eligible project costs for academic, research and health‑care institutions; an additional 20 % project allowance is available for universities and university hospitals. For commercial entities, funding covers only the proportionate share of eligible costs. The maximum duration per module is five years (clinical trials), two years (systematic reviews), 18 months (concept phases) or five years (methodological projects).

Submission: Applications are accepted through the electronic portal “easy‑Online” until 30 June 2027, the end of the call’s validity. The process follows a two‑stage model – initial project sketch followed by a formal application.

Special conditions: Projects must demonstrate high relevance for German patient care and involve patients or their representatives in planning, execution or dissemination. They should not be concurrently funded under other programmes such as the DFG Normalverfahren. At least one partner with proven expertise in clinical trials or systematic reviews is required to ensure methodological quality. International collaboration is allowed but partners abroad must secure independent national funding for their contributions.