Who funds the Bavarian Research Associations?

Science and industry, natural sciences and the humanities: the Bavarian Research Associations take an interdisciplinary approach to current research topics and develop practical propositions. To do so, they receive grants from Bavarian ministries and the Bavarian Research Foundation.

Bavarian ministries

The Research Associations may receive funding from the Bavarian ministries, especially the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts. Topics range from life sciences, natural sciences and engineering to the humanities, social sciences and economics. Funding is provided either on a "bottom-up" basis (any topic) or on a "top-down" basis, when politicians stipulate a topic due to a current need.

Prerequisites for funding:

Grants are provided for projects which are application-oriented or which can provide useful recommendations for industry and society
The timeframe is generally restricted to four years
There is no requirement for direct industry participation in the association.

Bavarian Research Foundation

Under the "Advanced technology for the 21st century" programme, the Bavarian Research Foundation supports research associations according to the "bottom-up principle". The range of topics includes the following areas:

Life sciences
Information and communication technologies
Microsystem technology
Materials science
Energy and the environment
Mechatronics
Nanotechnology
Process and production technology

Prerequisites for funding:

Only projects that are at least 50% supported by industry are eligible for funding. This share can take the form of staff or contributions in kind.
The term is 3 years; this may only be extended by a few months without a cost impact