More Innovation through Clusters of Excellence // ZEW Study on Strengthening Innovation in Germany

ZEW Study on Strengthening Innovation in Germany

How can Germany's competitive position in the international landscape of science and technology be strengthened? The concentrated promotion of research clusters could be a good starting point. A recently published ZEW study shows that companies are more innovative if there are at least four university clusters of excellence being funded in their region. However, a lower amount of nearby funded Clusters of Excellence does not seem to have a measurable effect on a company's innovativeness.

These results emphasise the important role of sufficient funding for regional promotion of innovation. Despite numerous clusters being funded since 2006, their effect has only been discernible in isolated cases due to their broad distribution across Germany.

"In order to take a leading position in the global science and technology landscape, Germany must step up its efforts. Concentrated funding of Clusters of Excellence is an effective way to enhance the regional innovation impact of German universities," explains ZEW economist Dr. Bastian Krieger, head of the ZEW Junior Research Group "Co-Creation". "The current volume of excellence funding is not enough to place Germany in a top position. To achieve this goal, funds must be significantly scaled up and strategically pooled."