Funds of approximately 3.9 million Euros are being given to Fraunhofer Institutes by the government.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg has announced a new initiative to support collaborations between the institutes of the Fraunhofer Society and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With the Budget 2025/2026, special funds have been made available to facilitate the development of new solutions together, testing them in practice, and establishing them sustainably.

The Fraunhofer Society, institutionally supported by the Ministry, Innovation Alliance Baden-Württemberg (InnBW), and the German Aerospace Center, has been a central innovation factor in Baden-Württemberg for decades, particularly for SMEs. Around two-thirds of the Fraunhofer Society's contract research is generated through industrial contracts and publicly funded research projects.

The Fraunhofer Society in Baden-Württemberg has 13 institutes employing around 6,100 staff members and a total budget of approximately 600 million euros. The regions of Stuttgart, Freiburg, and Karlsruhe are particular focal points for the Fraunhofer institutes in Baden-Württemberg, with five, five, and three institutes respectively.

Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, stated that the goal is for excellent research to lead to tangible progress for SMEs. To achieve this, the Ministry is providing support to eight transfer projects from twelve institutes of the Fraunhofer Society in Baden-Württemberg, totaling approximately 3.9 million euros from 2025 to 2028.

These eight projects, named AI-Based Process Optimization, Advanced Materials Development, Smart Manufacturing Systems, Renewable Energy Solutions, Cybersecurity Enhancements, Sustainable Mobility Technologies, Digital Health Innovation, and Environmental Monitoring Technologies, cover a wide range of topics. They include hydrogen technologies, AI-supported material data analysis, and digitalisation in construction.

The aim of the support is to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and technology from research to SMEs in the region and to future-proof the Innovation Hub Baden-Württemberg. The Ministry supports the expansion and development of the Fraunhofer Society through investments in buildings and equipment.

The Fraunhofer Society generates an annual research volume of approximately 3.4 billion euros, with 3.0 billion euros coming from contract research. The federal and state governments contribute around one-third of the Fraunhofer Society's funding through basic funding.

The Fraunhofer Society covers all important technology fields, including energy research, production research, materials research, security, mobility, learning systems and artificial intelligence, quantum sensorics, and bioeconomy and environmental technologies. In a funding competition, eight projects were selected that stand out for their high level of innovation, practical and accessible transfer formats, and broad economic impact.

This initiative is a significant step towards fostering innovation and promoting sustainable growth in Baden-Württemberg by bridging the gap between research and industry. The Fraunhofer Society and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg are committed to ensuring that excellent research leads to tangible progress for SMEs, ultimately contributing to the regional economy and the future of innovation in Baden-Württemberg.

Funds of approximately 3.9 million Euros are being given to Fraunhofer Institutes by the government.