The Forum #Zukunftsstrategie is the central advisory body for the Future Research and Innovation Strategy and is under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It monitors the implementation and continued development of the Future Strategy, advises the Federal Government on research and innovation policy issues, and provides technical and strategic support to the mission teams. Its task is to analyse cross‑cutting issues that are relevant to all missions. Alongside the science‑led Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI) and the Federal Chancellor’s Future Council, the Forum #Zukunftsstrategie forms one of the three corners of the Federal Government’s triangle of advice on research and innovation. The unique feature of the Forum is the broad‑based, application‑oriented interaction between stakeholders from theory and practice. 

Composition

The Forum is composed of 21 members (list of members, in German), including three chairs representing science, industry and civil society. Three members each take on a thematic mission mentorship for one of the six missions. The diverse skills and expertise of its members enrich the work of the Forum.

Mode of operation

The chair of the committee Forum #Zukunftsstrategie heads and structures the Forum meetings. They also draft statements and political recommendations for action. The focus of the chairmanship is on the cross‑cutting research and innovation policy issues identified in the Future Research and Innovation Strategy. The chairmanship hence pools the results produced jointly by the mission mentors and mission teams and uses them to draft overarching analyses and recommendations on research and innovation policy.

The mission mentors provide advice by offering and discussing ideas. They support the work of the mission teams, for example when it comes to defining goals or milestones. The mission teams contact the mission mentors and invite them to take part in their meetings. This new form of collaboration will be complementary to the advice provided to political decision‑makers.

The members of the Forum exchange information at the biannual Forum meetings. These meetings are joined by the leadership of the BMBF, enabling the Forum to make recommendations on a regular basis based on the ongoing implementation process. In addition, the Forum organises internal working meetings that involve members only.