Germany: Creation of a Ministry for Research, Technology and Space

In Germany, the creation of a Ministry for Research, Technology and Space is included in the government's draft coalition agreement, published on 10/04/2025. Since the early parliamentary elections on 23/02, the conservative parties CDU and CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD) have been negotiating to form a new government.

This new Ministry, if confirmed, would mark a major change: Education, hitherto attached to research, would join a large Ministry dedicated to the family, senior citizens, women and youth. The space sector, previously part of the economy, would join the new Ministry. The new Ministry would also be responsible for higher education, although not mentioned in its title.

Among the priorities assigned to this ministry is the deployment of a "High-Tech Agenda for Germany". This aims to "organise and promote innovation ecosystems and research fields that are open to technology", in collaboration between academia, industry and start-ups. Several "key technologies" have been identified: AI, quantum, microelectronics, biotechnology, low-carbon mobility, nuclear fusion and…