Federal Ministry of Education and Research

1 Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, MdB Federal Minister of Education and Research Dr. Helge Braun Parliamentary State Secretary Cornelia Quennet-Thielen State Secretary Dr. Georg Schütte State Secretary Thomas Rachel Parliamentary State Secretary

2 Minister Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan 5 Key Technologies – Research for Innovation 6 Life Sciences – Research for Health Z Central Services 1 Strategies and Policy Issues 3 Vocational Training; Lifelong Learning 2 European and International Cooperation in Education and Research 4 Science System 7 Provision for the Future – Cultural, Basic and Sustainability Research Parliamentary State Secretary Thomas Rachel State SecretaryParliamentary State Secretary Andreas Storm Parliamentary State Secretary Thomas Rachel State Secretary Cornelia Quennet- Thielen Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Helge Braun State Secretary Dr. Georg Schütte

3 High Tech Training Research Education Four Priorities

4 Priority to Education and Research BMBF Budget 2011: The Federal Government has increased the funding of research, innovation and excellence in science. The BMBF budget for 2011 provides for an increase of about 7,2 % to billion Euro. Project funding in future-oriented fields of technology remains an important focus. Climate, Energy, Environment; Life Sciences New large scale projects in basic research in the natural sciences Funding for the humanities, cultural and social sciences increases as well

Federal Republic of Germany – 16 States

6 Federal and State Governments are funding the most important research oraganizations together.  Max Planck Society (MPG)  Helmholtz Association (HGF)  Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG)  Leibniz Association (WGL)  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)  German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)  Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH)  German Rector‘s Conference (HRK) Research

7 Project Support The BMBF is funding research programmes with future-oriented projects in important cutting-edge technologies such as:  Health research  Biotechnology  Nanotechnology  Information and communication technologies  Optical technologies Research

8  International dimension of the High-Tech Strategy (August 2006) and  Internationalisation Strategy (February 2008) How does Germany react to globalisation and the current and future challenges in R&D?

9 First national strategy involving all ministries Four priorities for innovation policy:  17 cutting-edge fields for common innovation policy  Impetus for turning research results into products more quickly  Pooling of forces from science and industry  Improved conditions for high-tech start-ups and SMEs (PYMES) Germany aims to become a leader on the most important emerging markets The High-Tech Strategy for Germany

10 Four main priorities 1. Strengthening research cooperation with global leaders 2. Opening up international innovation potentials 3. Strengthening the cooperation with developing countries in education, research and development 4. Assuming international responsibility to master global challenges Key elements of the Internationalisation Strategy

The BMBF in Latin America Germany's traditional cultural, political and economic ties with Latin American countries make the region an important cooperation partner for the Federal Republic of Germany. The Federal Government is continuing its traditional relations with priority countries in Latin America and is developing them systematically through bilateral cooperation in education and research. Priority countries in Latin America are: Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Mexico There are individual collaboration projects also with Peru. 11

The BMBF in Latin America General activities of Division 214 in Latin America: Together with the BMBF‘s International Bureau, Division 214 "Cooperation with North and South America" is responsible for identifying opportunities for cooperation and preparing relevant projects in fields of technology that are of long-term interest to both sides. Division 214 establishes contacts between interested stakeholders and the responsible units at the BMBF. Designing, preparing and supporting senior-level visits and meetings (e. g. visit by Minister Schavan to Chile, Brazil and Colombia in March 2009) Preparing, coordinating and organizing meetings of the government commissions for scientific and technological cooperation in Germany or in the countries concerned Innovation forums in Latin America Inviting and accompanying Latin American experts in the context of major trade fairs in Germany and actively smoothing the way for collaboration. 12

The BMBF in Latin America Outstanding activities of Division 214 from 2009 to 2011: 1. The "German-Brazilian Year of Science, Technology and Innovation" has been celebrated with Brazil from April 2010 to April The aim was to provide lasting impetus for German-Brazilian cooperation in selected fields of strategic importance and to enhance the visibility of such cooperation. The installment of a bilateral program to fund research projects is currently being negotiated. 2. In the context of the celebrations to mark the independence bicentenaries, Germany is presenting the MPG's Science Tunnel in Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil as a German contribution to the local events and as a means of raising awareness for research opportunities in Germany. 3.Earthquake Aid for Chile: a.) BMBF – Research and Technology Fund Chile: Total budget of1,5 Mio. €; in 2010 funding was initiated for University of Concepción und Talca; Second round of application for other universities and research centres in 2011; b.) Funding of material expenses for ongoing mobility projects of BMBF/IB; c.) Financial support for the „Fraunhofer Chile Research – Centre for Systems Biotechnology“ and the Chilean partner, University Talca, for damaged instruments; d.) Support on the continuation and reconstruction of the „Transportable Integrated Geodetic Observatory“ (TIGO) after the damages caused by the earthquake; TIGO is a cooperation-project with the Chilean University of Concepcion. 13

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