1991
Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg University and THM University of Applied Sciences (then FH Giessen-Friedberg) establish a transfer institution that is unique in Germany at the time, the Transfer Centre Central Hesse. A milestone in inter-university cooperation.
1996
TransMIT GmbH is formed from the Transfer Centre Mittelhessen in collaboration with the regional Volksbank, Sparkassen and the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Today, it is one of the most successful patent exploitation agencies in Germany. In nationwide rankings commissioned by federal ministries, TransMIT GmbH has repeatedly taken first place among the major German technology transfer companies.
2005
The three universities Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg University and THM University of Applied Sciences sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement, which is still in force today. It lays the foundation for joint research projects, study programmes and the coordinated promotion of young scientists.
2012
Justus Liebig University Giessen and Marburg University establish a research alliance to specifically strengthen cutting-edge university research in Central Hessen.
2013
Together with all chambers of crafts, chambers of industry and commerce, districts and the four major cities in the region, the universities establish Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH. The aim is to promote regional development and raise the profile of Central Hessen both nationally and internationally.
2016
The universities establish the Research Campus of Central Hessen (FCMH), continuing their successful path of cooperation. The establishment of the campus replaces the previous research alliance. The state of Hessen supports the development phase of the alliance with 9.4 million euros.
2019
In order to consolidate the network strategy, the universities’ leadership decide to make the FCMH permanent. In the same year, a project to map existing large-scale research equipment is launched, which later gives rise to the Research Infrastructure Database Central Hessen FinD Mi
2020
The FCMH project „StartMiUp – Startupnetzwerk Mittelhessen“ receives three million euros in funding as part of the EXIST-Potenziale support programme run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). The aim is to strengthen the start-up culture within the network and bring innovative ideas into practice more quickly.
2021
The FCMH Management Office is now established as a permanent structure and financed by the three universities.
2023
Launch of the ‘FCMH 2.0’ project with the aim of further developing the network as a pioneer for cross-university cooperation and expanding it through new initiatives in infrastructure, innovation and interaction. Funded by the State of Hesse with € 3.9 million as part of the structural and innovation development budget.
Establishment of the Schüler:innen Forschungszentrum Mittelhessen (SFM) as an association, supported by the FCMH universities. The SFM offers school students a space to explore scientific questions and connects schools, universities and companies in the region.
Justus Liebig University Giessen and Marburg University, together with seven partners from the EUPeace Alliance, are granted € 14.4 million in funding from the European Commission. The consortium ‘European University for Peace, Justice and Inclusive Societies’ promotes internationalisation, peace, solidarity and human rights. The UMR is leading the project in close cooperation with the JLU, while the THM is a partner in the implementation of individual projects.
2024
StartMiUp is established as a permantent structure, now “Start-Up and Innovation Campus of Central Hessen". It supports the start-up promotion activities of the three universities as an independent institution.
2025
Four clusters of excellence at Justus Liebig University Giessen and Marburg University receive funding approval: ‘The Adaptive Mind (TAM)’, ‘Microbes for Climate (M4C)’, ‘Post Lithium Storage (POLiS)’ and ‘Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI)’.
Justus Liebig University Giessen and Marburg University jointly submit an application for funding as a ‘Cluster of Excellence’ as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments.
StartMiUp Factory GmbH is founded by the FCMH universities, TransMIT Gesellschaft für Technologietransfer mbH, Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH and StartMiUp Factory Unternehmenspartner GmbH & Co. KG. It is supported by regional companies such as Weber Food Technology SE & Co. KG, FingerHaus GmbH, Schneider GmbH & Co., Schneider K&G Holding GmbH and Seidel GmbH & Co. KG. StartMiUp Factory is the first innovation platform outside the major cities that brings together SMEs and technology-driven start-ups, combines co-creation with implementation power, and develops bold ideas across industries. This results in sustainable innovations that have a global impact.