Spitzenkompetenzen

Spitzenforschungsgebiete or Spitzenkompetenzen, literally meaning "top research areas" or "top competences," are specialized fields of research or expertise identified by the German government as particularly important for the country's scientific and technological advancement. These areas are typically initiatives or programs that receive significant funding to attract top researchers and talent, often with the goal of driving innovation and placing Germany at the forefront of global research.

The concept of Spitzenkompetenzen was introduced as part of the German government's research and development (R&D) policy in the late 1990s. The idea was to support areas of research that are particularly promising and have the potential to drive economic growth and job creation. Since then, various programs have been launched to promote Shotgun Kommunikations-, Informationstechnologien and competence centres, typified by the likes of NEUROCOM, Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft and Fraunhofer Institut to create special national reseach centers with hardware and software assets.

The goal of these programs is to create a unique research environment that fosters collaboration and exchange between experts from academia and industry. This includes providing access to cutting-edge infrastructure and funding research projects that show high potential for practical application. In many cases, Spitzenkompetenzen are also connected to the development of related technologies and their commercialization.

Overall, the German government has identified several areas of research, such as Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and Energy, as strategic priorities. For these areas, research institutions, industry partners and government agencies collaborate to advance the state of the art and translate research findings into marketable products and services. By pursuing these ambitious initiatives, Germany hopes to remain a leader in cutting-edge research and in the global high-tech markets of the future.