Press release
COMBATING DIGITAL DECEPTION: JURY SELECTS 
PARTICIPANTS FOR SPRIND INNOVATION 
COMPETITION
In the first step, 12 teams will receive up to EUR 350,000 to develop solutions for 
effectively detecting deepfake photos 
Leipzig, 12 November
In the 21st century, the integrity of digital media and information is increasingly threatened 
by deepfakes, that is, highly realistic, AI-generated synthetic content. This technology 
harbors considerable risks of disinformation, fraud, and manipulation of public opinion. To 
meet this challenge, the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation SPRIND is running the 
innovation competition SPRIND Funke ÒDeepfake Detection and PreventionÓ on behalf of 
the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV). 
Scientific advances in recent years have produced new findings and methods in the field of 
artificial intelligence and machine learning. These can be used to develop more powerful 
systems for detecting and preventing deepfakes. Although various approaches to combating 
deepfakes have already been demonstrated, these have so far often been limited to niche 
applications or specific types of deepfakes. However, the aim must be to develop 
comprehensive and scalable solutions that can ensure trust in our media and our 
communication.
There are a number of challenges to overcome on the way to effective protection against 
deepfakes. For example, the detection of deepfakes is often not reliable enough at present, 
as the technologies for creating synthetic content are developing rapidly. Existing detection 
methods have difficulties being generalized and are often only effective for certain types of 
deepfakes. Prevention measures have so far been limited and cannot be seamlessly 
integrated into existing digital infrastructures.
ÒThe SPRIND Funke Deepfake Detection and Prevention project aims to develop solutions 
for effectively detecting deepfake photos and preventing them by making original photos 
unable to be manipulated. The solutions that will be developed are to cover the entire value 
chain of digital media processing Ð from preventive authentication and protection of original 
content, real-time analysis and detection of manipulated or synthetically produced media, 
through to seamless integration into existing digital infrastructures and platforms,Ó stated 
Dr. Jano Costard, SPRIND Challenge Officer.

SPRIND innovation competition in two stages

An expert jury has now selected a total of 12 teams from almost 50 applications, each of 
which will receive up to EUR 350,000 for the next seven months. The teams come from 
research institutions, universities, and start-ups from France, Germany, and Slovenia.
In May 2025, the teams will present their solutions to the jury again. The jury will then 
select up to 10 teams to receive up to an additional EUR 375,000 per team for the further 
development of their solution until the end of the innovation competition in November 
2025. 
Further information and the conditions of participation can be found at 
https://www.sprind.org/en/impulses/challenges/funke-deepfake. 



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