On 22 June 2026, the universities of Augsburg, Kempten and Neu-Ulm presented the Bavarian-Swabian Innovation Award for Transfer 2026, worth a total of 9,000 euros, at the Vöhlin Castle University Centre in Illertissen. In addition, the Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the town of Illertissen recognised innovative practical projects submitted by the universities with further prizes. The university centre thus became a ‘Hall of Fame’ for best practices in successful collaboration between universities and businesses in the region.

Among the 34 entries in total, the following transfer projects were recognised: ‘GiFaTex – Use of recycled waste textile fibres in gypsum fibre boards’ (Augsburg University of Applied Sciences), ‘PIO Oberallgäu – Digital platform for outpatient care services: needs-based, adaptable, sustainable’ (Kempten University of Applied Sciences) and “stand-by.care – for a safe life at home” (Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences). The “Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce Business Prize”, worth 1,000 euros, was awarded to the project “DocPilot – Digital data management for fibre-optic roll-out” (Augsburg University of Applied Sciences). The People’s Choice Award from the town of Illertissen, also worth 1,000 euros, which was presented live during the event, also went to the “DocPilot” project.

The Bavarian-Swabian Innovation Award for Transfer, under the motto ‘Society meets Science’, recognises exemplary collaborations between universities and non-academic partners in which innovative solutions with social and/or economic added value are developed. The prize was initiated by Werner Martin, Managing Director of the Vöhlin Castle University Centre, and was first organised in 2024 in collaboration with Augsburg University of Applied Sciences (THA), Kempten University of Applied Sciences (HKE) and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU). In 2026, a prize of 3,000 euros was awarded to each university, funded by their respective friends’ associations. The Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Schwaben) and the town of Illertissen each provided an additional 1,000 euros for the Business Prize and the People’s Choice Prize respectively.