Third party institutions or scientists, i.e. researchers who are not members (defined by having an employment contract of a minimum of 50% FTE) of a Berlin University Alliance institution or the University of Oxford, can act as applicants, but are not eligible to receive funding in their institutions. If they want to act as co-applicants, external applicants must state their financial contribution in the application (e.g. by contribution through their own position).

In addition, it is possible to name further external cooperation partners. These do not have to state their financial contributions in advance. However, it is possible to place external orders within the framework of the allocation guidelines for budget funds of the respective Alliance institution. These are to be billed as full costs.