Fritz Bender-Stiftung is a Munich-based foundation with a very clear three-part mission: advancing medical research on immune-system diseases, recognizing exemplary ecological/biological construction, and providing emergency support to needy tradespeople and their families. Its grantmaking is especially strong in German university and hospital-based immunology, often backing early-stage or unconventional research ideas, while the Baupreis highlights sustainable, energy-efficient, biological building practices. The handworker aid is more social-welfare oriented and appears to be needs-based support for construction workers affected by illness or work-related accidents.
Focus Areas
Immunology ResearchMedical Research at German Universities and Teaching HospitalsEarly-Stage Translational ResearchEcological and Biological BuildingEnergy-Efficient Sustainable ConstructionEmergency Aid for Construction Workers
Giving Approach
Mixed grantmaking and award model: annual, deadline-based research and Baupreis competitions plus rolling, needs-based assistance for tradespeople. Research grants are typically directed to universities and scientific institutes in Germany, with preference for seed funding of new or unconventional projects; the Baupreis carries a fixed €20,000 award; and handworker aid is awarded on a case-by-case basis upon written application and proof of need.
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How to approach this funder
For immunology research, submit applications by September 1 in the required electronic and printed format; for the Fritz-Bender-Baupreis, applications are due by July 31 and must be submitted by post and email. Handwerkerhilfe appears to be rolling and requires a written application with documentation of need, illness, or work-related accident, so applicants should include clear proof of hardship and eligibility.
Notable grantees:
• Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
• Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
• Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Universitätsklinikum Ulm
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Fritz Bender-Stiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses Jul 31, 2026Award: Up to $20K
Der Fritz-Bender-Baupreis
biological buildingsustainable constructionecological building materials+3 more
Who can apply: Architects, planners, or builders may apply. The building should not be predominantly privately used and should serve public welfare. Submissions must demonstrate ecological and sustainable construction characteristics and meet the competition criteria described by the foundation.
Deadline: Applications are accepted until 31 July each year.
biological buildingsustainable constructionecological architecture+4 more
Who can apply: Applicants may be the building owner or the responsible architectural office/planners. The building should not be primarily privately used or should serve public welfare. Submission must document sustainable and biological building criteria, including CO2 balance and material details.
immunologische Forschungmedizinische ForschungErkrankungen des Immunsystems+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants should be scientists or scientific institutes, especially universities and colleges, submitting immunological research projects focused on the role of the immune system in human disease and therapeutic approaches. Applications should follow DFG guidelines for individual proposals. Preference for new, original ideas and younger researchers in habilitation or recently habilitated.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by September 1 each year.
Förderung der medizinischen Forschung bei Erkrankungen des Immunsystems
medical researchimmunologyimmune system diseases+1 more
Who can apply: Applications must be formal research proposals following German Research Foundation guidelines. The foundation particularly favors projects with significant expected scientific insight, originality, feasibility, sustainability, and implementation potential. Young scientists in habilitation or newly habilitated are especially encouraged to apply.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 1 September each year.
financial hardship assistanceillness supportwork-related accidents+2 more
Who can apply: Applies to craftsmen in the building and allied trades and their families who are needy under Section 53 AO, residing in Germany, and able to document illness or a work-related accident with medical evidence. Requires proof of need and supporting financial documents.
Handwerkerhilfe — finanzielle Hilfen für bedürftige Handwerker und Familien
SozialhilfeNotfallfinanzierungUnterstützung bei Krankheit/Unfall
Who can apply: Nachweis eines berufsbedingten Unfalls oder einer Erkrankung durch ärztliche Bescheinigung; Wohnsitz/gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt in Deutschland zum Zeitpunkt der Antragstellung; Nachweis der Bedürftigkeit im Sinne des §53 AO (Sozialleistungsbescheid oder Nachweise zu Einkommen/Vermögen).
Deadline: Keine festen Fristen genannt; Anträge sind schriftlich einzureichen (laufend möglich).
Immunologiemedizinische Forschungtranslational research+1 more
Who can apply: Wissenschaftler und wissenschaftliche Institute, bevorzugt Universitäten/Hochschulen; Projekte müssen nach DFG-Richtlinien formal eingereicht sein und signifikanten Erkenntnisgewinn erwarten lassen; Wohnsitz/Institution in Deutschland nicht explizit als Pflicht genannt, aber Förderung historisch an deutsche Einrichtungen erfolgt.
Deadline: Anträge sind bis spätestens 1. September eines Jahres einzureichen (elektronisch und in gedruckter Form).
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.