“The report clearly indicates that Germany can be very positive concerning its achievements in a wide variety of research and innovation areas,” stated Federal Minister Schavan. According to the Minister, the insights and recommendations of the Expert Commission also support the government’s policies regarding research and innovation.

Schavan: “With the high-tech strategy and additional funding of about 6.5 billion euros for research, development and innovation, the government has set a new course in this legislative period. Our policy is clearly effective. The experts found that the mobilising effect of the high-tech strategy is highly visible and the high-tech strategy has ensured more private investment in research and development. We are thus laying the groundwork for continued economic growth.”

With this report on research and innovation, the German government is allowing itself to be scrutinised by a team of independent experts. From now on, scientifically substantiated policy advice will be established for research and innovation policy that is comparable to the annual report of the German Council of Economic Experts. Federal Minister Schavan stated that the German government will examine the report and its recommendations closely. Within three months, the government will comment on the experts’ assessment in a report on research and development (“Bundesbericht Forschung und Innovation”) in detail.

“Our aim is to turn Germany into one of the most effective sites worldwide for science, research and innovation,” said Schavan. “The challenges in this area continue to rise. Thus politics, universities, research institutions and companies cannot afford to be complacent.” The Minister stated that the government will continue to increase research and development funding and improve the conditions for innovation in Germany. In order to do so, the government will further develop its high-tech strategy. The experts also recommended that tax incentives for research and development be improved. “Tax policy is also innovation policy. We are exploring the possibilities regarding the introduction of fiscal R&D support in detail,” said Schavan.


The following people are members of the Expert Commission for Research and Innovation:

Professor Dr. Dr. Ann-Kristin Achleitner
Scientific Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial and Financial Studies (CEFS) at the Technical University in Munich (TUM); Professor for Business Management

Professor Jutta Allmendinger, Ph.D.
President of the Berlin Science Centre for Social Research;
Professor for Sociology at the Humboldt University in Berlin

Professor Dr. Hariolf Grupp (Vice Chairman)
Executive Director of the Institute for Economic Policy Research (IWW) at the University of Karlsruhe; Chair of System Dynamics and Innovations; Professor at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI)

Professor Dietmar Harhoff, Ph.D. (Chairman)
Director of the Institute for Innovation Research, Technology Management and Entrepreneurship at the Ludwig Maximilian University of München; Professor for Business Management

Professor em. Dr. Joachim Luther
Former Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE); Professor for Physics at the University of Freiburg

Source: BMBF - 27.02.2008