The Free State of Bavaria has a diverse, excellent, internationally recognised science and research landscape built on the foundation of its universities and non-university research institutions. The science system in Bavaria features an attractive environment for researchers, teachers and early-career scientists and closely dovetails excellent research with its practical application.
The aim of the research, technology and innovation policy of the Free State of Bavaria is to create the best possible research and work environment and modern infrastructures for science. Its purpose is also to use targeted instruments of technology funding to support the growth and competitiveness of companies and the launch of innovative start-ups, alongside building society’s awareness of science, research, and the transfer of knowledge and technology. The policy focuses on the areas of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, clean tech and renewable energies, mobility, aerospace, the life sciences and new materials. However, the traditionally strong humanities and social sciences, which facilitate interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity in the interaction between fields, also play a key role in the Bavarian higher education system.
What is making the difference in this process is the Hightech Agenda Bavaria (HTA), a unique and holistic innovation programme to boost science, research and development. With an investment volume of 5.5 billion euros, 1,000 professorships, a total of 2,500 new jobs and 13,000 new student places at universities, the Free State of Bavaria is creating the best environment for research and education, kindling a new entrepreneurial spirit and attracting the best minds to Bavaria.
The HTA pursues a unique policy strategy that specifically builds on the existing strengths of the Bavarian research landscape in areas such as aerospace, quantum sciences, informatics and engineering. It sets its priority on building the scientific foundation for emerging fields of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and super technologies (quantum technology, aerospace, clean tech).
In 2021 and 2022, the Bavarian state government’s economic stimulus package HTA Plus provided further impetus in the promotion of digitalisation and technological transformation. Bavaria actioned this funding package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of accelerating the implementation of the HTA and enabling the launch of additional projects.
Through this unique package of measures, the state government massively expanded Bavaria’s expertise in key enabling technologies and emerging fields of research, while also intensifying the transfer of technology into practice.
As part of the Bavarian funding strategy for research into COVID-19 treatments developed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, funding totalling 50 million euros was allocated to supporting promising treatments on their way to authorised approval.
In terms of research and development in the private sector, Bavaria’s technology-focused funding programmes are of particular importance. The aim of these programmes is to strengthen the international competitiveness of the private sector, improve growth potential and create skilled jobs by promoting innovation.