Brussels, 09 Feb 2004
Germany's Minister for Education and Research, Edelgard Bulmahn, has welcomed figures showing that German researchers are participating in more projects under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) than any other group.
German universities, research institutes and businesses are involved in more than 80 per cent of the projects thus far selected for funding. The ministry believes that the portion of FP6 funding collected by German researchers will be around one billion euro - much higher than that flowing in the direction of other Member States or associated countries.
Ms Bulmahn claimed that the statistics illustrate how 'Germany has once again become the linchpin of European innovation.'
The increased participation in FP6 compared to FP5 can be traced back to an improved national advisory system, claimed the minister.
Most proposals in which German research teams are involved address the fields of information technology, closely followed by nanotechnology, new materials and production processes.