topic Ministry

Strategy Processes: Ideas for the Future in Education and Research

The BMBF's funding of science and research must be judged according to the benefits which the use of public funding holds for society, particularly in the long term. Such an assessment must be oriented towards the future and must take various factors into account.

The first of these is providing for the future: The protection of the environment and climate change, safeguarding energy supplies, but also demographic development are all processes which take several decades. Although we cannot forecast these processes precisely today, scientifically founded predictions of developments make it necessary to fund research into countermeasures.

A second factor is securing the basis for our prosperity and social cohesion. Many research results have considerable economic significance. They form the basis for the international competitiveness of highly developed technological nations. Here it is, of course, important that the results of research enter products and services and that research also reaches the people whom it can help - particularly in fields such as health research.

In order to remain in the lead internationally, it is decisive to identify the future direction of research as early as possible and to support work in this area. The third factor is the rather abstract progress in science and research in general. Findings and discoveries in research can often not be determined in advance   this is the reason for their scientific charm and societal importance. This research has its origins in scientific questions, answers to which also require support.

Strategy processes in education and research are thus based on two fundamental questions: Where do we stand and in what direction do future developments point? Working on the basis of the results of analyses and scenarios, we can develop a dialogue with science and societal groups on central areas and key measures needed to achieve the goals of education and research policy.

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  topic Ministry

  BMBF Foresight

  BMBF Foresight is a strategic instrument of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that provides technology foresight and the determination of future societal needs in terms of research and development. With a time horizon of 15 years, BMBF Foresight casts a long-range look into the future in order to provide guidance for early agenda setting and prioritization in German research and innovation policy. The process is carried out cyclically and in several phases: search and analysis, transfer, and preparation of the next cycle.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/18378.php)
   
  
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  topic Hightech Strategy

  National strategy process"Innovations in Medical Technology"

  The Innovations in Medical Technology national strategy process is taking shape. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the Federal Ministry of Health in Berlin have appointed a committee of high-ranking experts from the fields of politics, industry, science and health care. In the course of the next few months this Steering Committee will bring together experts along the entire innovation chain to jointly develop recommendations for action to promote coherent innovation policy in medical technology. The Federal Government is thereby taking up the challenges and opportunities of this field by adopting a whole-of-government approach in keeping with its High-Tech Strategy.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/17337.php)
   
  
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  topic Research

  Actively shaping a future of demographic change

  The Federal Cabinet has adopted the Federal Government's "The New Future of Old Age" research agenda for demographic change proposed by Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan. It is the first interdepartmental research concept on this topic. This Federal Government agenda focuses departmental research programmes on the challenges and opportunities of demographic change. "We want to conduct research to encourage the development of new solutions, products, and services that improve the quality of life and social participation of older people. This will help us discover the hidden treasures of an ageing society to the benefit of all generations," said Schavan upon presentation of the agenda.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/4657.php)
   
  
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  topic Ministry

  Analyses and Statistics of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

  Data and facts form the basis for rational decision-making. Comparisons with other countries reveal where we stand. The analysis of processes of innovation enables us to learn from individual successes. In the field of analyses and statistics, the BMBF collects and analyzes facts in order to be able to improve education and research in Germany. As an innovation to BMBF analyses, the internationally staffed independent Expert Commission Research and Innovation has taken up work. The commission will periodically examine the state of research and innovation in Germany.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/6577.php)
   
  
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  topic Ministry

  Technology Foresight and Technology Observation

  Technology foresight and observation play an important role for a growing number of countries which do not want to fall behind in the international technology race and lose their ability to compete internationally. Foresight serves to identify technologies which will be decisive for a country's continued ability to compete. The knowledge gained is used to establish priorities in research and technology policy. Scientists and experts from industry and other societal groups are involved in foresight activities.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/6502.php)
   
  
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  topic Academia

  Dialogue between Science and Society

  Research, invention, and development in Germany have an impact on all of us. This is why it is important that scientists and researchers speak to the general public about their work in the laboratory and office. For many years now, the initiative "Science in Dialogue" has been creating opportunities for such exchange- not only to inform citizens, but also to get their opinions. Science Year and Science Summer events aim to arouse curiosity and clarify the significance of scientific questions.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/1758.php)
   
  
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  topic Ministry

  Women in Education and Research

  Highly qualified women with foreign degrees still want to be employed at a high level in Germany. But all too often, the reality is otherwise - this from a study conducted by the HU Berlin, the TU Hamburg-Harburg, and the RWTH Aachen as part of a research project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) together with the European Social Fund (ESF). The study shows that highly qualified migrant women with foreign degrees have had difficulty entering the labour market: the move to Germany often means interrupting their careers or even accepting employment far below their level of qualification.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/474.php)