Increased draft budget for the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in 2013
The federal cabinet passed the government draft for the federal budget 2013. Accordingly, the budget of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is intended to further increase in 2013 (see here; only in German). The budget should grow by 6.3% to a total of about €13.75b. In 2012, the budget has increased by 11%. This development reflects the emphasis of the federal government on education and research. Despite the budgetary consolidation the government has decided not to cut this budget.
The Bundestag will finally decide on the budget in November.
Release of the 2012 Federal Report on Research and Innovation
In May 2012, the Federal Government released the 2012 Report on Research and Innovation. The report includes an overview of research and innovation in Germany and is an important source for data on public R&D spending. According to the provided data, R&D investment of the Federal Government has increased from €9b in 2005 to €13.7b in 2012. Moreover, the report is the response of the Federal Government to the 2012 report from the Expert Commission for Research and Innovation (EFI).
The report is available here (only in German).
New report on research, innovation and technological performance in Germany presented
The Expert Commission on Research and Innovation (EFI) presents its fifth report to Chancellor Merkel on February 29, 2012. In the 2012 report the commission emphasises the need of a strong research sector to succeed in the global competition. It also calls for a more ambitious objective than the 3%-goal for R&D investments by 2015. Other topics of the report include the challenge of China, research at higher education institutions and the shortage of skilled personnel in Germany.
The full report is available here (currently only in German). A summary of the report in English is available here.
