Yesterday, the German federal government adopted its High-Tech Agenda. The agenda is an important step toward a targeted innovation policy, which is crucial for technological sovereignty and economic competitiveness. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft welcomes the agenda and the momentum it will generate for Germany as a technological and economic powerhouse.
“With its High-Tech Agenda, the German federal government has put the country on the right path to enhancing Germany’s innovative strength and sovereignty in today’s competitive global technology market. I am particularly pleased that SMEs are set to play a key role as the backbone of our economy,” says Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “We don't have the resources to be a global leader in every industry, and the agenda rightly acknowledges this. It promotes the development of key technologies, such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics and biotechnology, and ensures these technologies reach SMEs via transfer projects, living labs, public-private partnerships, and the expansion of processing capacities and data ecosystems. This is an essential step toward achieving technological sovereignty, reducing economic dependence and ensuring international competitiveness. Fraunhofer will fully support the agenda through cutting-edge applied research, regional innovation partnerships and technology transfer into real-world applications. In doing so, we can build on a strong foundation of engineering excellence and a highly diverse scientific system. Collaborating closely with industry and the government, we can strengthen Germany’s position as a technological powerhouse and ensure its long-term success. The new German federal government's rapid drafting and implementation of the High-Tech Agenda is a positive signal for our country's future.”
Constantin Häfner, Executive Board Member for Research and Transfer of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, explains: “With its moonshot topics, the High-Tech Agenda sets Germany on the right course to the future. It calls for turning today’s research into the value creation of tomorrow. The agenda’s consistent focus on strategic key technologies and our moonshot topics, from AI as a game changer to innovative energy solutions and pioneering advancements in digital and life sciences, is crucial for our competitiveness and technological sovereignty. At Fraunhofer, we have been a proactive driving force behind the High-Tech Agenda topics and have already developed targeted project ideas. Our key advantage: We know the industry’s requirements firsthand. This allows us to advance moonshot innovations and provide cutting-edge applied research to prepare the German economy for today's rapid innovation cycles. Fraunhofer is an indispensable link between academia and industry. As an innovation driver, we ensure that scientific findings are not shelved but rather strengthen Germany’s competitiveness.”
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft