SPARK Bergen Pilot – Now Accepting Applications

Built on the internationally recognized SPARK model developed at Stanford University, the program will accelerate medical research from discovery to clinical impact through intensive mentorship, and close collaboration between academia, hospitals, and industry. Educational workshops and mentoring sessions will cover key topics including translational strategy, regulatory pathways, intellectual property, clinical study design, commercial strategy, and fundraising. During this 1-year pilot, SPARK Bergen will support 5–6 high-potential projects, helping to bridge the critical gap between research and commercialization in Bergen's health innovation ecosystem.

What projects are we looking for?

We are looking for early-stage academic and clinical research projects with clear translational potential — ideas that could realistically become a new treatment, diagnostic tool, medical device, or digital health solution. Projects will be selected based on clinical need, innovation potential, and feasibility, and may come from any discipline across UiB, Helse Bergen, and partner institutions. Whether you have a promising drug candidate, a novel biomarker, or an early-stage technology ready to be developed further, we want to hear from you.

Eligibility

All projects are welcome as long as the project lead holds active employment at UiB or Helse Bergen. If you have already received funding from UiB Idé, HUS ide, the Research Council of Norway, Helse Bergen/Helse Vest or other sources, SPARK Bergen is a great opportunity to ensure you make the most of that investment and take your project to the next level. Projects that are already part of other programs, such as TILT, are also welcome to apply as SPARK is complementary to them bringing specific translational expertise.

How to apply

Send your application via this link: SPARK Bergen - application for pilot (external link)

Deadline: August 31th

Do you have an application ready? Great, you can send it in any format just make sure your SPARK Bergen application addresses the following:

• The Problem — Describe the unmet clinical need your project addresses. What is the disease or condition, and why do current treatments or solutions fall short?
• The Innovation — Describe your research idea or discovery. What is the proposed solution, and what makes it novel? This could be a drug candidate, diagnostic tool, medical device, digital health solution, or early-stage technology.
• Translational Potential — Explain how your discovery could realistically be developed into a clinical or commercial product. What is your vision for the end product (Target Product Profile)?
• Current Status — Summarize the existing evidence supporting your idea. What has already been demonstrated, and what are the key remaining unknowns?
• Team — Describe the project team and any existing collaborations with clinical, industry, or commercial partners.

What to expect

SPARK Bergen is established in close collaboration with SPARK Norway (University of Oslo), which has run a successful program for a decade, and with SPARK Global at Stanford University. As a member of the SPARK Global network, SPARK Bergen will have access to a worldwide community of translational scientists, experienced advisors, educational resources, and industry networks spanning more than 30 countries. This means that while our focus is on building a stronger innovation ecosystem right here in Bergen, our projects will benefit from world-class expertise and international visibility from day one.

Projects accepted into SPARK Bergen will receive structured support throughout their time in the program (the pilot is planned for 1 year, with a launch of a larger program autumn 2027). Each project will have the opportunity to work with mentors with expertise in relevant areas, who will provide guidance tailored to the specific needs and stage of your project. SPARK Bergen is designed to work in close alignment with VIS, preparing and maturing projects so that stronger, more developed ideas can be further advanced through VIS.

Project teams will meet regularly with their mentors and participate in monthly SPARK sessions where progress is presented, challenges are discussed, and feedback is shared across teams. These sessions are a core part of the SPARK experience and a valuable opportunity to learn from peers and experts alike.

In addition to mentoring, all participants will have access to an open educational program covering key topics in translational medicine and innovation. Through workshops, seminars, and interactions with industry and international experts, participants will build the skills and networks needed to move their projects forward.

Teams will also receive support in identifying and applying for additional funding from national and international sources, and will have the opportunity to present their work at leading life science and biotech conferences.

For more info, see the SPARK Stanford pages: About SPARK – SPARK Stanford (external link)