Science. Quality. Responsibility.
Since 1971, we have been committed to the highest quality in laboratory medicine. Our work combines independent quality assurance with scientific promotion – nationally and internationally.
ISO 17043 accredited
accredited by
About SPMD-RfB
Under the name SPMD-RfB, we combine two closely related areas: The Reference Institute for Bioanalytics (RfB) organizes and evaluates interlaboratory tests, thereby making a significant contribution to external quality assurance in laboratory medicine. The Foundation for Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (SPMD) promotes research, teaching, and scientific development in our field. With our locations in Bonn, Cologne, and Hanover, we stand for quality, trust, and progress in laboratory diagnostics.
SPMD – Foundation for Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics
The RfB (Reference Institute for Bioanalytics) is a special-purpose entity of the non-profit SPMD. The foundation was established by the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) to promote research, teaching, and quality assurance in laboratory medicine in the long term.
The SPMD provides organizational and legal support for the RfB. This structure ensures that our work remains independent while also being closely linked to scientific developments.
Activities of the foundation
The Foundation for Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (SPMD) operates as a non-profit foundation. The purpose of the SPMD is to promote science and research as well as public health care.
The SPMD uses its funds for research and development projects in the field of pathobiochemistry and molecular diagnostics, among other things. It also implements measures that serve to ensure continuous improvement and quality assurance. The focus here is on the operation of the Reference Institute for Bioanalytics as a reference institution (hereinafter referred to as RfB) in accordance with the applicable guidelines of the German Medical Association for quality assurance in medical laboratories as a special-purpose enterprise. The RfB is one of the leading and accredited interlaboratory test providers in Germany. In addition, the SPMD also fulfills its statutory objectives by providing financial support to the DGKL.
The aim of research funding is, in particular, to promote young scientists.
RfB – Reference Institute for Bioanalytics
The Reference Institute for Bioanalytics (RfB) is officially listed by the German Medical Association for external quality assurance in laboratory medicine. Since 1971, we have been ensuring the quality of medical analyses through interlaboratory tests, calibration and reference laboratories – independently, scientifically sound and internationally recognised.
Mission & Values
Our mission is to strengthen patient safety and continuously advance laboratory medicine through external quality control and scientific promotion. In doing so, we follow clear principles that shape our daily actions:
Patient safety first
Quality assurance as the basis for accurate diagnoses and safe therapies.
Transparency & Trust
Open evaluations, individual reports, neutral procedures.
Education & Innovation
Promotion of knowledge transfer, training, and further development.
Our Team
More than 50 employees at our locations in Bonn, Cologne, and Hanover are committed to ensuring the quality of laboratory diagnostics on a daily basis. We are supported by over 40 scientific advisors from universities and clinics who contribute their expertise to our programs. Together, we are working to make laboratory results comparable and reliable worldwide.
Gunther Schabio
Board of Directors SPMD
Dr. Anja Keßler
Head of RfB
Dr. Stefanie Gemein
Deputy Head of RfB
The foundation’s funding programmes
The content of the SPMD funding can be found in the current funding programme. According to this programme, both personal research projects and project-based research are funded. In addition, the SPMD has now launched a one-off special funding programme “Advanced Clinician Scientist”.
This new funding programme was created to strengthen scientific research in the field of pathobiochemistry and molecular diagnostics in a special way. The aim of the programme is to promote outstanding medical research projects and give medical specialists the opportunity to advance their research projects.
Personal support programmes
Doctoral scholarships
These scholarships are for highly motivated medical doctoral candidates who are at an advanced stage of their doctoral thesis after their 3rd year of study at the earliest (reliable preliminary work). Funding is provided for a maximum of 12 months, whereby the scholarship amount is made up of the basic scholarship amount of € 934 per month and the material cost allowance of € 103 per month. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Application 2025:
| University of Marburg | Marburg | Clinical benefits of external quality assurance: A systematic review of the health and economic effects. |
SCHERER scholarships as part of an MD/PhD programme
The prerequisite for funding is that the funded doctorate is on a topic and at an institution that also serves the scientific qualification of the person receiving the scholarship in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. The deadlines for applications are 15 February and 15 August.
HEINZ-BREUER scholarships for research and further education stays
The funding opportunity is aimed at qualified domestic and foreign academics in the early stages of their careers at recognised domestic and foreign institutes. Individuals are considered to be in the early stages of their academic career if no more than ten years have passed since their doctorate, measured by the year of the oral examination, at the start of the funding period applied for. In the case of maternity and parental leave, this period can be extended by a maximum of two years per child, but not by more than 14 years in total. The applicant’s own position during a leave of absence without pay or the additional costs of living at the destination for a maximum period of one year are eligible for funding. The deadlines for applications are 15 February and 15 August.
Junior research groups for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 years
The grants are designed in such a way that they are co-financed to at least 50 % by the respective faculty / university / special research area and are affiliated with an Institute of Clinical Chemistry. As a rule, funding is provided for the applicant’s own position, a PhD student, a technical staff position, as well as for appropriate consumables and animal husbandry costs etc. A concept must first be submitted that includes evidence of co-financing by the relevant faculty/university and a commitment for at least the above-mentioned academic position following a positive evaluation towards the end of the funding period. Applications are processed in two application rounds per year. The requirements and guidelines for the DFG’s Emmy Noether Programme apply as a guide. The application deadlines are 15 February and 15 August.
Endowed professorships
In order to promote the establishment and continued existence of chairs of clinical chemistry at German medical faculties, start-up funding can be granted for the remuneration of chair holders in the amount of the corresponding DFG cost rates for a period of generally three years. Public calls for applications and permanent appointments are made in accordance with the usual rules of the faculty or university. A focus on scientific and subject specialisations within the faculty/university is supported. Details are set out in a contract with the university or university medical centre.
Promotion of senior professorships
The aim is to bring the expertise of the person holding the professorship into the university in line with requirements. This essentially relates to tasks in the area of research and teaching (tasks in the area of patient care are not eligible for funding). The application for funding for the senior professorship must set out the university’s plans with regard to re-advertising the vacant professorship. A prerequisite for this funding is the university’s commitment that the person who is ultimately to receive the funding for the senior professorship from the university will also be commissioned to fulfil professorial duties for a limited period of time. The duration of the funding is initially designed for two semesters and can be extended once for a further semester if required. The amount of funding is based on the individual’s last “salary” and the pension of the person who is ultimately to hold the senior professorship and is therefore granted in the amount of this difference as a grant including any VAT and any social security contributions due to the university. Details are set out in a contract with the university.
Project-related funding programmes
Scientific conferences
They must take place within the framework of research and development projects. Applications can be submitted at any time. The amount of funding is limited to €10,000.00 including any applicable VAT.
Application 2025:
| Leipzig University Hospital | Leipzig | Lipid Meeting: Application for a conference grant from the Foundation for Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics XXIV Lipid Meeting Leipzig, 10 December – 12 December 2025 |
Grants for the realisation of research and development projects.
Priority is given to start-up funding for projects by early career researchers that show potential for subsequent DFG funding. Proposals are processed in two application rounds per year. The deadlines for submitting proposals are 15 February and 15 August.
Application 2025:
| Institute for Clinical Chemistry University Medical Centre Göttingen | Goettingen | Control of spleen homeostasis by endothelial Notch signalling |
Projects for the standardisation and quality assurance of laboratory diagnostic procedures.
Applications are processed in two application rounds per year. The deadlines for submitting applications are 15 February and 15 August.
Teaching research and training projects
The funding opportunity also includes measures that serve to support the implementation of the NKLM and the new Medical Licensing Regulations. Applications are processed in two application rounds per year. The deadlines for applications are 15 February and 15 August.
Application 2025:
| Leipzig University Hospital; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics | Leipzig | Fundamentals of medicine for scientists in medical diagnostics |
The SPMD scientific panel
Scientific Coordinator & Reviewer of the SPMD
Scientific Secretary
Prof Dr med Karl Lackner
Position: Director of the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Mainz University Medical Centre
Main research areas:
- Laboratory diagnostics
- Tumour marker
- Individualised medicine
Publications: Over 90 scientific papers
Citations: More than 4,000
Prof Dr med Daniel Teupser
Position: Director of the Institute for Laboratory Medicine, LMU Klinikum München
Main research areas:
- Cardiovascular biomarkers
- Lipid metabolism
- Atherosclerosis
- Biobanking
- Mass spectrometry-based proteomics
Publications: Over 370 scientific papers
Citations: More than 14,000
Prof Dr Andreas Fischer
Position: Director of the Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Mannheim University Hospital
Main research areas:
- Clinical-chemical diagnostics
- Laboratory medical research
- Quality management in laboratory diagnostics
Board of Trustees
Executive Board
Our history
Looking for a new job?
Take a look at our careers page!