Two new large-scale research centres are expected to strengthen Germany's position as a leading location for science and innovation. They will also play a key role in compensating the phase-out of coal mining and developing the two mining areas into attractive regions for future economic and demographic development.

The Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) will be located in the central German coal-mining region and aims to support the transformation of the chemical industry towards a sustainable and resource-efficient circular economy. To achieve this, CTC will rely on a transdisciplinary approach and structured cooperation between science, industry and society.

A second large-scale research centre, the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA), will be established in the Saxon part of Lusatia. The centre aims to conduct astrophysics research at the highest level by combining basic research and development in information technology, sensor technology and materials research, and by promoting resource-saving digitalization processes.

Flagship projects for sustainable structural change

Research and innovation are the central building blocks for successful and sustainable structural change in the eastern German coalfields. After all, these regions face enormous challenges as a result of the coal phase-out.

The two large-scale research centres were selected in a competitive procedure. It is hoped that they will give the central German coal-mining region and the Saxon part of Lusatia a distinctive scientific profile.

CTC and DZA are to be developed into flagship projects and will give strong new impetus to the German research landscape. CTC and DZA are to conduct science at the highest international level and at the same time help to solve important problems of our time with cutting-edge topics and a focus on long-term sustainability.

The scientific excellence of the two large-scale research centres will mark the starting point of economic development by helping to retain existing companies, attract new ones and support start-ups. The centres will create a dynamic new environment in their respective regions with diverse infrastructures and players. This should benefit not only those directly employed in the research centres, but everyone in the region.

A joint initiative

Science Creating Prospects for the Region! (Wissen schafft Perspektiven für die Region!) is a joint initiative of the Federal Government, represented by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Free State of Saxony and the Land of Saxony-Anhalt. The competitive selection process is based on the Act on Structural Change in Coal Mining Areas (Strukturstärkungsgesetz Kohleregionen, StStG).

Procedure and milestones

The two most convincing proposals for future large-scale research centres were selected in a competitive, science-led process.

Commissions and selection process

In a first selection round in summer 2021, an independent Perspectives Commission evaluated almost 100 submissions and recommended the most promising six outline proposals for preliminary funding. Starting in November 2021, the six initiatives developed their ideas into fully assessable proposals for potential large-scale research centres. These proposals were submitted for review in early May 2022.

The scientific quality of each of the six proposals was assessed by a separate, subject-specific Scientific Commission. Each of these commissions consisted of seven to ten world-leading scientists. To ensure comparability of the actions of all six commissions, Professor Dorothea Wagner, Chair of the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat), chaired all commissions. She was assisted in each case by a co-chair from the respective field.

The potential of each of the six proposals in terms of knowledge transfer, organizational structure and expected economic impact in the region was evaluated by a single Commission for Transfer and Structural Impact. The twelve members contributed their expertise in the areas of institute foundation, entrepreneurship, start-ups, investment, innovation and transfer research, and regional development. This commission was chaired by Professor Uwe Cantner, Chair of the Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI).

On the basis of the two individual reviews produced for each proposal, the final selection decision was made on 29 September 2022 and announced at the Federal Press Conference the same day. In making the decision, a number of factors were taken into account including regional potential and challenges as well as the integration of the proposed centres into the German science system, strategic goals of state development, the regional appeal of the centres and the contribution they are expected to make to successfully shaping structural change.

Next steps: what happens next

The two winners will now enter a three-year development phase, starting at the beginning of 2023. An important milestone is the establishment of the new research centres as legally independent institutions. The timing of this depends on the form of governance chosen and the progress made in the development phase.

Subsequently, it will be possible to obtain institutional funding, as outlined in the Act on Structural Change in Coal Mining Areas.

The permanent institutional funding of the two new research facilities will be provided jointly by the Federal Government and the respective host Land. By 2038 (the end of the period covered by the StStG), the BMBF will have invested around 1.1 billion euros in federal funding in each of the centres, not including the contributions of the host Länder Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.