Free State of Saxony

The primary research and innovation policy objective of Saxony’s state government is to foster a prospering science, research and transfer landscape. Saxony is striving to increase the efficiency of research through networking, flexibility and autonomy. The broad networking of universities and research institutions with each other at European and international level and with industry and society is an important prerequisite for successfully competing on a global scale.

Research in the Free State of Saxony covers the entire spectrum from basic to applied research. The focus of Saxony’s research policy for this is on promoting excellence in science and strategically improving the performance of research institutions.

Saxony’s research policy is also placing increasing emphasis on fields of the future such as the climate-neutral and environmentally friendly use of raw materials, energy research, modern mobility, the health sciences, and novel materials and manufacturing technologies.

Of particular importance is the further expansion of expertise in the field of digitalisation, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. The AI strategy of the Free State of Saxony, which was adopted in September 2021, combines nine strategic goals which form the planning basis of a range of measures. This is intended to drive research and innovation even further forward.

Saxony’s innovation strategy, which was updated in 2020, is intended to help significantly boost the Free State’s innovative capability. The innovation strategy is based on two pillars. While ‘intelligent specialisation’, following the principle of ‘strengthening strengths’, focuses on the optimal utilisation of existing potentials, ‘intelligent diversification’ emphasises the role of being open to different industries and technologies in a constantly changing world.

Strategic innovation management and the strengthening of Saxony’s innovation culture are of particular importance as guiding principles of the innovation strategy.

Saxon companies are supported in producing even more technical and non-technical innovations and in cornering international markets. The Saxon state government’s innovation and technology policy strives to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. Topics such as digitalisation, sustainability and new business models are becoming increasingly important.

Knowledge and technology transfer and the cross-innovation approach play an important role in the process. The networking of the various regional actors, including across national borders, is of great importance, as are business start-ups as a means of commercialising knowledge and creating added value and new, viable jobs.

The acquisition of know-how in technology transfer will be stepped up. Companies, universities and research institutions will be enabled to participate to an even greater extent in national, European and international programmes, networks, and research and technology collaborations.

Support for the market launch of innovative products will pave the way to commercialisation. Support will be given to start-ups, especially from science, and technology-oriented networks and clusters will be strengthened.