The three clusters

    Science, entrepreneurship, and vocational training – and the will, courage, and readiness to start anew.

    Materials and resources of the future

    Despite Germany’s strength in basic research, comparatively few research findings find their way into societal and economic use. So while science is already delivering promising solutions for existential challenges such as climate protection and resource scarcity, these need to navigate the critical early development phase and find their way into application faster and more frequently.. Only in this way can research be made useful.

    Our Foundation supports research into the use of innovative materials and resources that are sustainable and future oriented. To enable true new beginnings, we aim to overcome existing hurdles at various levels: Among researchers, we encourage and foster entrepreneurial spirit in order to increase the added value of application and utilizationstrategies. At the institutional level, we support flexible structures and a new entrepreneurial mindset among leadership in order to support the translation of research findings into practical use faster and more easily. We particularly support interdisciplinary and transfer-oriented projects, because innovation needs a diversity of perspectives and the courage to take risks.  

    Through the following projects, we promote new beginnings and entrepreneurial action in research:

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    Entrepreneurial Thinking and Action

    We aim to bring more of the results of Germany’s excellent fundamental research into practice. For this, we need scientists with an entrepreneurial spirit who have the courage to explore new paths and eager to found spin-offs. Germany has significant untapped entrepreneurial potential:, butthese talents are not discovered early enough or systematically nurtured to the extent required. Our academic system for young researchers focuses too heavily on purely scientific education. We want to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit in the new generation of scientists, empower them to found enterprises, and strengthen the entire German ecosystem for spin-offs-from science.

    We promote entrepreneurship in service of society. Entrepreneurs are not only essential for securing future prosperity but also play a key role in developing innovative products and services that address the major challenges of our time. Only a new generation of entrepreneurs, who not only focus on radical innovation but also on the development of sustainable business models with fair wages, can guide the German economic and social model into the future.

    Through the following projects, we foster entrepreneurial thinking and action:

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    Vocational Education and Digital Transformation

    Hundreds of thousands of people are training in such programs and they will shape the future of work. Millions of people who have received vocational training mirror in their current work our understanding of the future of employment. At the same time, companies face the challenge of holding their own in a globalized world and adapting to changing markets.

    We therefore promote the expansion of digital and other key competencies, especially among trainees and talented young professionals. We also support educators in acquiring expertise and didactic skills in digital technologies. We support projects that enable the transfer of digital innovations and AI applications from research and business into vocational education practices. In this way, we help ensure that new ideas and innovations can have an impact within companies. 

    We promote new beginnings in vocational training with the following projects:

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