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Joint press release by the DFG and the MPG: Strengthening potential, creating independence

The scientific community's expectations of a German Federal Government programme

1. Strengthen scientific excellence
Innovation results from cooperation between universities and non-university research institutions in a networked process that includes the generation of new ideas, research into the basic science, teaching and applied research. Government policy on innovation and research must ensure planning certainty and adequate funding. Both the federal and the state governments need to give scientific organisations and institutions increased creative freedom, promoting their potential to excel and enabling them to become more competitive at an international level. In order to fully exploit the potential of publicly funded research and obtain the added value that can be achieved through cooperation, university funding needs to be improved in the long-term and greater independence has to be given to the universities, particularly when it comes to issues such as budgets, student selection, appointments and (intellectual) property.

2. Create conditions that promote research
The distribution of responsibilities for research funding in the German federal system has stood the test of time. It is the combined task of the federal and state governments together with scientific organisations to continue to develop this system, particularly concentrating on improving international competitiveness.

In order to stay at the forefront in an increasingly competitive global climate, scientists must be offered attractive employment and career prospects. This calls for a more cosmopolitan outlook and demands internationally competitive employment and salary regulations as well as the elimination of red tape, not least to attract scientists from abroad.

Certain legal and administrative obstacles to research also need to be overcome, for instance in the fields of genetic engineering, stem cell research and nuclear research.

3. Strengthen European research
The DFG and the Max Planck Society welcome the creation of a European Research Council (ERC) planned under the 7th EU Framework Programme. In order to ensure its acceptance by the European scientific community and enable it to promote innovation, we support the creation of an autonomous structure, governed by the scientific community itself and based on the principles of scientific excellence.

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