Don't simply associate premium cars with German high-tech only. Now the German government put several more research and development topics on a fast track. In its so called High-Tech Initiative the government will spend 14.6 billion euros in the next three years to boost technology-based research and enterprises, welcomes Gretchen Vogel in Science magazine (8.9.2006). Main goal is the transfer of scientific results into products. Therefore science minister Annette Schavan combines new programmes, funding schemes and legislation. SMEs may qualify for funding premiums and venture capital is encouraged. A new funding scheme includes security research (80 million euros) - a novelty for Germany. The biggest lump of money goes into aerospace research.
Well, it's a major step, "on paper", comments Martin Spiewak in Die Zeit (31.8.2006). But a breakthrough indeed because research schemes in Germany are fragmented, eg. in energy research four ministries have overseen the issue. The new initiative combines all fragments into a single framework, applauds Spiewak. The focus on applied science shall initialize corporate research funding, reports Jacqueline Boysen in Deutschlandfunk radio (29.8.2006). Only then Germany might reach the EU-promoted 3-percent-mark in research spending.
Well, it's a major step, "on paper", comments Martin Spiewak in Die Zeit (31.8.2006). But a breakthrough indeed because research schemes in Germany are fragmented, eg. in energy research four ministries have overseen the issue. The new initiative combines all fragments into a single framework, applauds Spiewak. The focus on applied science shall initialize corporate research funding, reports Jacqueline Boysen in Deutschlandfunk radio (29.8.2006). Only then Germany might reach the EU-promoted 3-percent-mark in research spending.