1. Michael Schlicht, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Germany as a partner for cooperation in science, research and innovation
Tbilisi, 19 September 2016

2. Table of contents
1 The structure of the German research and innovation system
2 Major players within the German research and innovation landscape
3 Germany as a partner for international cooperation in science, research and innovation

3. 1. The structure of the German research and innovation system
Two major governmental players:
16 Länder (federal states)
The federal level
According to the Federal Constitution,
the federal government and federal
states (Länder) are jointly responsible
for science
Differences in size:
357,000 km² (Georgia: 70,000 km²)
82 m inhabitants (Georgia: 3.7 m)

4. Public funding – shared competences
The federal government – particularly the BMBF – is funding research in technological key areas in the framework of general or specialised funding programmes
The federal states (Länder) generally fund the universities (all universities also conduct research) and universities of applied sciences
Federal government and the states jointly fund the major scientific research institutions

5. Public funding – institutional and project funding
Institutional Funding:
There is a variety of independent research institutions that receive basic funding from public sources (federal government and Länder)
These institutions are politically independent (with regard to their research agendas)
However, they need to undergo a regular process of evaluation

6. Public funding – institutional and project funding
Implemented by different ministries, with the largest part provided by BMBF
The project funding scheme of the BMBF is based on
- governmental programmes
- competitiveness
- a peer review system
- free access for research institutions, universities and industry
- openness for international cooperation

7. Success factors
Independence of research; autonomy in the identification of research topics and methods
Subsidiarity
Cooperation with the business sector
Openness for international cooperation

8. 2. Major players within the German research and innovation landscape
Higher education institutions: universities and universities of applied sciences
Research performing institutions
Funding organisations

10. Public Administration
111 Universities
30 Colleges of
Public Administration
6 Colleges of
Education
> 400 Institutions
of Higher Education
53 Colleges
of Arts
216 Universities of
Applied Sciences
15 Colleges
of Theology
of these: 239 public

11. German research organisations
The Max Planck Society (MPG)
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG)
The Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF)
The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Science Foundation
Universities
Federal and Länder Institutions carrying out R&D
Academies
Business enterprises

12. German funding organisations
The German Research Foundation (DFG)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH)
The German Federation of Industrial Research Associations
„Otto von Guericke“ (AiF)

13. 3. Germany as a partner for international cooperation in science, research and innovation
A strong player in STI: Initiatives and investment
International integration

14. 16.4 Billion Euro for Education and Research
2016
16.4 Billion Euro for Education and Research
Source: BMBF/Robby Grosse

15. Gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) in Germany, in % of GDP
GERD rose to nearly 3% of GDP in 2012.
Germany practically reached the 3% goal of the EU-Commision.

16. General expenditure on research and development as percentage of GDP in 2014
Korea 4.29
Israel 4.11
Japan 3.59
Finland 3.17
Sweden 3.16
Austria 3.07
Denmark 3.05
Germany 2.90
US (2013)
OECD total 2.38
France 2.26
Source: OECD

17. Initiatives in Research and Education
4 „pacts“ of the Federal Government and the Länder
Pact for Research and Innovation
3.8 bn. Euro
( )
Allocations to non-university research oranizations
Excellence Initiative
4,6 bn. Euro
( )
Internatinally visible cutting-edge research at higher education institutions
Higher Education Pact
38.5 bn. Euro ( ) /
1.9 bn. Euro ( )
Strengthening universities
High-Tech Strategy (HTS)
Innovation for Germany

18. The new High-Tech Strategy – understanding what belongs together
The new High-Tech Strategy is based on five pillars 1
Priority challenges with regard to value creation and quality of life
Enhance competitiveness
Increase prosperity 2
Networking and transfer
Strengthen cooperation
Support implementation 3
The pace of innovation in industry
Increase innovative strength
Enhance value creation 4
Innovation-friendly framework
Provide the basis for creativity and innovation 5
Transparency and participation
Arouse curiosity
Promote forward-thinking

19. We will strengthen research cooperation with the world’s best
tap international potential for innovation
strengthen cooperation with the emerging
and developing countries
contribute towards tackling global challenges
create prospects for both people and industry
through training

20. The federal government’s Internationalisation Stratgy
Objectives:
Scientific excellence through international cooperation
Exploiting international innovation potentials
Cooperating with developing countries
Assuming international responsibility

21. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) / DLR Project Management Agency as a
Service provider for international cooperation
Department for European and International Cooperation (“International Bureau”)
preparing calls for international project cooperation
evaluation of proposals, administration of projects
advice for national and international scientists
compiling internationalisation and technical strategies

23. Promote Innovation and Research in Germany
International research marketing:
Vision: Germany holds a prominent position in science, research and development, not only in Europe, but across the world. German companies are pioneers in developing innovative products, and “Made in Germany” is recognized as a sign of quality everywhere in the world
Mission: Creation and anchoring a positive image of Germany: values-based, forward-looking, and innovative
Values: scientific excellence, high standards of good scientific practice, protection of intellectual property and effective international cooperation

24. Thank you! Michael Schlicht
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
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