The primary research and innovation policy objective of the Free State of Saxony 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.
Saxony uses a significant part of the cohesion and structural funds made available by the EU for the areas of science and research, which cover the entire spectrum from basic research to application-oriented research. Saxony’s research policy aims to promote excellent science and to strategically increase the performance of research institutions. Its strategy is focusing more and more on emerging fields of development such as the circular economy, 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, robotics and quantum technologies. The AI strategy of the Free State of Saxony, adopted in 2021, combines nine strategic goals that are to be achieved through a range of measures in order to further advance research and innovation.
A white paper for research in public science institutions in Saxony is currently formulating research policy guidelines with the aim of further strengthening the successful, top-tier transformational research ecosystem in the Free State.
Saxony’s innovation strategy, which was updated in 2020, is intended to help significantly boost the Free State’s innovative capability. It is based on two pillars: ‘intelligent specialisation’, which focuses on the optimal utilisation of existing potentials; and ‘intelligent diversification’, which 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. Saxony strives in particular to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises through its innovation and technology policy. 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, plays a significant role, as do business start-ups as a means of commercialising knowledge, creating added value and generating new, viable jobs.
Funding from the state will enable companies, universities and research institutions 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 in the area of science, and technology-oriented networks and clusters will be strengthened.