topic Science

Research at Universities of Applied Sciences

The BMBF is providing funding for applied research in the engineering, natural and economic sciences at universities of applied sciences under its "Research at Universities of Applied Sciences" programme. Since the beginning of 2009, the pilot call entitled "Social Innovation for Quality of Life in Old Age (SILQUA-FH)" has also been providing funding for research projects at universities of applied sciences which offer study programmes in Social Work and the Care and Health Sciences aimed at improving the quality of life and protecting the independence and dignity of elderly people, particularly people suffering from old age ailments.

The roughly 190 state and state-recognized universities of applied sciences offer a wide range of subjects in the engineering sciences, the natural sciences and the economic sciences as well in the social sciences and the health sciences.

A total of approximately 600,000 students attended German universities of applied sciences in the Winter Semester 2008/2009. 199,904 students were registered in the field of engineering science alone and 72,206 in mathematics and the natural sciences. The universities of applied sciences are making good progress with the conversion of courses to Bachelor and Masters' degree courses within the framework of the Bologna Process. Over the past 15 years, applied research has become a second outstanding feature of universities of applied sciences in Germany, alongside their practice-based teaching. The BMBF's funding programmes for universities of applied sciences have played an important role in this development. The application-oriented R&D conducted at universities of applied sciences has considerable potential for the transfer of knowledge and technology to companies. The BMBF's programme for universities of applied sciences is therefore encouraging both the transfer of knowhow and demand-based measures to qualify students and members of staff.

The programme's four funding lines provide different opportunities for funding under the various calls: Whereas applications under the "FHprofUnt" funding line may be in any field, the "IngenieurNachwuchs" (Young Engineers) funding line sets out to introduce young engineering scientists to specialist research. The pilot call entitled "Social Innovation for Quality of Life in Old Age" (SILQUA FH) is enabling further research projects in the fields of social work and the care and health sciences at universities of applied sciences. The "ProfilNT" project is intended to encourage universities of applied sciences to engage more effectively in the BMBF's specialist programmes, e.g. Security Research, Microsystems Technology, I&C Technologies.  

In recent years, the universities of applied sciences have been able to enhance their strengths in application-based research, in the transfer of knowledge and technology to companies, and in providing research-based qualifications for young people. BMBF funding has played a key role in this success.

The most visible expression of this positive development is the high level of mobilization of research partners such as companies, universities and non-university research institutions in the BMBF's projects. The training of young scientists is particularly important in this context. Numerous students, graduates and doctoral students are taking part in the projects.

The Science Council, as advisory body to the Federal Government and the Länder, issues recommendations concerning the development of the universities of applied sciences in the fields of research and teaching.