The industry-oriented Fraunhofer research institute network intends to set up 40 new working groups over the next three years to build up the next generation of researchers. The organisation has set aside €100 million to back the Fraunhofer Attract scheme.
And in what could be seen as a slap in the face for this Spring’s pan-European initiative to set up a European Institute of Technology, being promoted by the European Commission, Fraunhofer has established the Fraunhofer Technology Academy, an institution where innovative know-how can be transferred to technology managers and specialists in industry.The idea behind the Attract initiative is that outstanding young scientists will be given a chance to set up their own working group at a Fraunhofer Institute so that they can develop their ideas through to industrial application.

In order to be able to transform their ideas into innovative applications, scientists require a free hand with their research project, a working group of their own, a reliable source of funding, and a modern infrastructure and equipment – for a long and often stony path lies between the initial flash of inspiration and the final, marketable product. Setbacks have to be overcome, and alternative approaches sought, and new financial resources have to be secured every time. 

”If we wish to strengthen Germany’s power of innovation, we need to put the best minds to work in applied research. And we must provide these talented scientists with an opportunity to develop their skills,” said Fraunhofer president Professor Dr-Ing Hans Jörg Bullinger. “We will provide young and committed top scientists with excellent research opportunities, thus opening the door to their future careers.” 

Forty new working groups are to be set up over the next three years and will be funded from the €100 million pot.. “Each team will be granted annual funding of €500,000 for a period of five years,” says project co-ordinator Raoul Klingner. “This money will allow them to set up a working group of between three and five people at one of the 56 Fraunhofer Institutes, lead the group under their own responsibility, and translate their ideas into practicable innovations. They can make use of the institutes’ excellent infrastructures and are given plenty of freedom to conduct their research as they wish.”
By the end of the five years, the aim is for the projects to have advanced to a stage where the working groups become self-supporting – either by contributing income to the Fraunhofer Institutes through industrial contracts or license fees, or by forming spin-off companies. The Fraunhofer’s close links with industry is likely to be of particular interest to scientists, as it will help them to fulfil the requirement for knowledge transfer between basic research and industrial application.