2026

Science in Germany – Outlook to 2040

In its paper “Science in Germany – Outlook to 2040”, the German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) takes a strategic look at the German science system. The paper describes academic freedom as the foundation of the science system, identifies expectations placed upon it, analyses current strengths and weaknesses, and outlines trends and scenarios. It sets out a vision for 2040 and an agenda for the comprehensive further development of the science system based on ten areas of action.

2025

Position paper by the German Science Council on staffing structures in the German research system

With its position paper on staffing structures in the German research system, the German Science Council has set out a vision for functional staffing structures that enhance the sector’s appeal, with the aim of boosting the overall performance of the German research system. It proposes a generic staffing structure model that provides for four job profiles for academic and research-related activities. The position paper recommends that the federal government, the Länder and research institutions adopt and implement the staffing structure model, and provides detailed recommendations to this end.

2024

Study Start Grant

From the 2024/2025 winter semester, the “Study Start Grant” (‘Studienstarthilfe‘) was introduced as a new funding scheme under the Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförederungsgesetz – BAföG). This is a one-off financial grant of Euro 1,000 paid at the start of studies. The Study Start Grant is aimed at people under the age of 25 who are receiving certain social security benefits prior to commencing their studies and are enrolling in a degree programme for the first time. Funding through the Study Start Grant is provided independently of any monthly BAföG payments.

In 2024, 10,700 people received Start-up Grant funding. The federal government therefore spent Euro 10.7 million on the Start-up Grant.2025

Strategy for the Internationalisation of Institutions of Higher Education

In June 2024, the Federation and the Länder adopted a new Strategy of the Federal and Länder Ministers of Science for the Internationalisation of Institutions of Higher Education in Germany (Strategie der Wissenschaftsminister/innen von Bund und Ländern für die Internationalisierung der Hochschulen in Deutschland). It replaces the 2013 internationalisation strategy and is intended to strengthen the higher education location in the face of new technological and political developments and increasing global risks, and to make it more resilient. At the same time, the Federation and the Länder want to take a strategic approach to the social, economic and technological developments of recent years that are relevant to the internationalisation of higher education institutions. The sustainability agenda and the growing socio-political demand for more equal opportunities and diversity are creating new expectations and requirements for the internationalisation of research and teaching. In addition, the potential of digitisation is to be exploited in the context of the internationalisation of higher education institutions.

In this context, the Federal Government and the Länder aim to:

• further increase the attractiveness of German higher education and research institutions for international students and researchers and to further reduce potential hurdles to their recruitment, integration and retention in order to attract more qualified people to research and industry.
• enabling high-quality internationalisation experiences for as many students, researchers and other higher education staff as possible – both by promoting physical and virtual mobility and by internationalising at home.
• while safeguarding the autonomy of higher education institutions and the EU's division of competences in the higher education sector, to work towards further expanding and deepening the quality of European and international cooperation in research and teaching, from smaller projects to larger networks and strategic alliances.

Dealing with and combating anti-Semitism at universities

In response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, the federal and and state governments, as well as the German Rectors' Conference (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz – HRK) and the higher education institutions, have condemned these attacks, reaffirmed their solidarity with Israel and dealt intensively with the protests that have been developing in Germany and the associated attacks.

By 2023, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (Kultusministerkonferenz - KMK) (higher education plenary) and the Federal Education Ministry have adopted a “Action plan against anti-Semitism and hostility towards Israel” (‘Aktionsplan gegen Antisemitismus und Israelfeindlichkeit’). In June 2024, the Standing Conference (higher education plenary) issued a “Declaration for an open promotion of scientific exchange” (‘Erklärung für eine offene Förderung des wissenschaftlichen Austausches’ and against calls for a boycott of Israeli researchers and Israeli research institutions. In addition to intensive exchange between the Länder on their experiences with the measures taken and their effectiveness, the committees in the Standing Conference are also exchanging views with representatives of Jewish organisations and the German Rectors' Conference.

Act amending the Federal Training Assistance Act

The 29th Act amending the Federal Training Asssistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG) addressed key projects to strengthen equal opportunities in education. In addition to an increase in the needs-based rates, the housing allowance for recipients not living with their parents and the parental allowances, it also included structural adjustments such as the introduction of a study start grant for students from financially disadvantaged families, a flexibility semester and a simplified change of subject. The law came into force at the beginning of the school year and the winter semester of 2024/2025.