Research infrastructure: BMFTR selects major projects for Germany's future

The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, BMFTR) has published the shortlist for the current prioritization process for large-scale research infrastructures (FIS). Nine projects were selected from a large number of projects that are considered particularly promising for the future development of the German science system. The aim is to strengthen the research landscape in Germany in the long term and expand its leading international position.

The selected projects cover a wide range of topics – from astrophysics and materials science to digital infrastructures. The selected projects include the Center for Gene and Cell Therapy in Regeneration and Transplantation (CREATION), which aims to provide widely available therapies and significantly improve manufacturing processes through AI-supported automation. Numerous universities are participating in the project, including Hannover Medical School, Göttingen University Medical Center and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology.

Einstein telescope and co.

The Dresden Advanced Ligth Infrastructure (DALI) is an accelerator-based facility "that will use terahertz light sources to research the states and functions of matter", as the BMFTR writes. Another listed project is the Einstein Telescope (ET). This is a major international project by RWTH Aachen University and universities from Münster, Bochum, and Dresden. It aims to make signals from mergers of compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars observable over cosmic time by detecting gravitational waves.

Other projects include the high-brilliance neutron source – Phase I (HBS-I), the neutrino observatory IceCube-Gen2, LEGEND-1000 and PETRA IV, all of which are in the field of experimental physics. The RIDLOP research infrastructure aims to create centralized access to data from large online platforms and thus enable innovative, socially relevant research. Finally, the digital infrastructure SLICES-DE from the Technical University of Munich will enable new experiments in the fields of distributed systems, artificial intelligence, and post-quantum security.

The selection was made in a multi-stage, independent process involving the German Council of Science and Humanities and other international expert committees. Criteria included scientific added value, innovation potential, contributions to technological sovereignty, and social and economic relevance. All projects were prioritized according to scientific excellence, innovation potential and feasibility.

"These high-performance research infrastructures are essential for us so that we can also achieve top results in research in Germany for our innovative strength," said Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär. When it comes to infrastructure, "we don't always have to think first and foremost about roads or railways, but there haven't been such big decisions in the research sector for a long time". "In this way, we are making an important contribution to the prosperity of tomorrow and also strengthening the technological and digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe. The selected infrastructures meet the highest standards of scientific excellence and planning maturity", said Bär.

Inclusion on the shortlist is a significant signal but is not linked to a funding commitment. The list will be updated regularly in the future to support the strategic development of research infrastructures in the long term. With the process, which was launched in 2024, the BMBF aims to identify projects that can make a significant contribution to the international competitiveness and innovative strength of German research. Further development of the projects will be closely monitored and driven forward in coordination with the federal states and participating institutions. Publication of the expert committees' evaluation reports is also planned.

(mack)