Germany

Framework

Germany’s R&I landscape is governed by several key ministries and organisations that coordinate and fund research activities across various sectors, including transport. 

• Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF): BMBF is largely responsible for research policy, overseeing the broader research and education agenda in Germany. It funds scientific research and supports innovation across various sectors. They also support transport R&I through initiatives aimed at digitalisation, automation, and sustainable mobility.
• Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV): BMDV is the primary ministry responsible for transport R&D. The Ministry’s Research Department provides the scientific foundation for the work of the Ministry and coordinates its research programmes. This covers all aspects of mobility and transport, spatial and urban development, building and housing. To ensure a sustainable energy supply, BMDV is also key player in the National Programme of Innovation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.
• Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK): BMWK is responsible for innovation and technology policy and plays a critical role in promoting sustainable transport. It funds research in clean energy technologies such as hydrogen and battery storage. The ministry is also involved in industrial policy and competitiveness, influencing automotive and aerospace research.
• Joint Science Conference: The main body coordinating research policies of the federal government and state governments.
• Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI): Provides scientific advice to the Federal Government on the German innovation system by delivering reports on research, innovation and technological productivity in Germany.
• Council of Science and Humanities (WR): Evaluates and advises on development of science, research and higher education.

The Federal Ministry is supported by several executive agencies including:

• Federal Motor Transport Authority;
• Federal Office for Goods Transport;
• Federal Railway Authority;
• Federal Railway Property Agency;
• Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration.

Key organisations supporting transport research include: 

• Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF): Germany's largest scientific research community. It performs top-rate research in strategic programmes in the fields of Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Key Technologies, Structure of Matter, Transport and Space.
• German Centre for Research on Higher Education and Science Studies (DZHW): Provides research-based services to academia and scientific policy makers and is responsible for providing research infrastructure.
• German Aerospace Centre (DLR): DLR is Germany’s national research organisation for aerospace, energy, and transport. It conducts high-level research in sustainable aviation, space travel, and terrestrial mobility. DLR’s Institute of Transport Research focuses on future mobility systems, including automated driving, smart logistics, and urban mobility.