Science System
Research
Germany’s science landscape is unique – with its large number of players, including higher education and non-university research institutions, producing excellence every day.
Related topics
Opportunities
- Society depends on free, excellent research to solve the major challenges of our time. Only in this way can we create new knowledge and generate innovative ideas.
- Investment in our science system is the basis for Germany’s competitiveness, for economic growth and societal development
- A high-performing science system and a research-intensive industrial sector not only spur on the researchers involved but also serve as drivers of societal progress.
- Transfer of scientific findings into industry and society makes research tangible, turning theoretical ideas into practical innovation.
Our science system - characterized by diversity, freedom, excellence and high achievement
The German science system stands out due to its large number of players, who fulfil various roles in a complex higher education and research landscape. This diversity is a characteristic feature and explicit strength of the German system. Different areas, institutions and facilities complement each other with their specific tasks and activities. Focussing on a specific field promotes expertise in that field, while collaborating with others generates added value. The manifold forms of cooperation have gained in importance in recent years and have become a characteristic component of the research landscape.
Freedom of science is the mainstay, ensuring both individual freedom and institutional autonomy. Work in the science system is characterized by the search for new findings, research excellence and the sound training of young researchers.
Players in the science system
On the publicly-funded side, the higher education sector and the non-university research sector are two key components of the science system. Other elements are the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) funded by the Federal Government and the Länder, the departmental research institutions of the Federal Government, the institutes of the Länder and the research infrastructures. The German Science and Humanities Council, the German Rectors’ Conference, academies of sciences such as the National Academy Leopoldina , the Max Weber Foundation (humanities institutes abroad), the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies, the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education and the intermediary organizations the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as well as the Futurium as a place for science communication also all contribute to the success of the German science system. Privately funded research that is mainly oriented to industry also represents an important cooperation partner and a major source of funding.
Strategic orientation of the science system
The German science system is also strongly characterized by the large research programmes and strategies, in particular the joint programmes of the Federal Government and the Länder managed by the Joint Science Conference, such as the Pact for Research and Innovation, the Strategy for Excellence in Higher Education or the Future Contract for Strengthening Studying and Teaching in Higher Education.
Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024