Photonics, the technical use of light, is considered a key enabling technology that offers solutions for a wide range of applications. These range from lighting, material processing, energy generation, optics, image acquisition, and sensor technology, to microelectronics, data processing, and medical technology. The “Photonics Research Germany” funding programme supports research in this area, promotes networking, and aims to increase the overall visibility of the industry. Prognos conducted an evaluation of this programme, in place since 2012, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Figures on the funding programme The “Photonics Research Germany” programme is intended to strengthen the competitiveness of the German photonics sector in research, development, and production. At the end of February 2020, the total funding volume amounted to 689.2 million euros, approved between 2021 and 2020. A total of 1,488 projects received funding. Of these, 352 projects were carried out by large enterprises, 540 by small and medium-sized enterprises, 304 by universities, and 277 by non-university research institutions. Results of the evaluation The international competitiveness of German photonics companies and the research performance of non-university research institutions and universities were strengthened by the funding. At the time of the survey, 23.9 percent of companies confirmed this effect and more than half of the companies expected this to be the case in the next three years (50.7 percent). Thanks to the funding, more than half of the companies and 65 percent of the scientific institutions funded have established contact with new industrial partners. The programme also significantly strengthened the R&D activities of the funded companies. Thanks to the funding programme, it has been possible to develop an innovation ecosystem that enables specialisation, opens up new opportunities for cooperation, and offers industrial companies the opportunity to tap new fields of research. Prognos thus recommends the continuation of the programme. The main instruments should be retained – joint funding, community building, as well as agenda setting. Greater consideration should be given to open research infrastructures, novel types of projects, and connecting with other networks. A mix of methods Prognos evaluated the achievement of objectives, the effectiveness, and also the profitability of the BMBF funding programme. For this purpose, a mix of methods was used. Extensive control group analyses were used to identify the causal contribution of the funding to the economic and innovation policy objectives of the programme. In addition, activities included: a full survey of all funded projects, a survey of unconsidered sketch submitters, discussions with experts, case studies, an internationally comparative analysis of the patent portfolio, a publication analysis, and a discussion exchange in a consulting group of experts. Summary evaluation (PDF, in German) Further information (website www.photonikforschung.de, in German) Project team: Dr Thomas Stehnken, Michael Astor, Michael Neumann, Jonathan-Aton Talamo Do you have questions? Your contact at Prognos Dr Thomas Stehnken Senior Project Manager View profile Michael Astor Partner, Director View profile Our work on this topic Take a look at our latest projects and activities. European Cluster Panorama Report 2024 2024 | Project update Cluster organisations have a significant positive influence on the green and digital transformation. This is a key finding of the Cluster Panorama Report 2024, which Prognos compiled for the European Commission. Read more Foresight on Demand: Future-oriented expertise for the EU ongoing | Project As part of the Foresight on Demand consultancy contract, the European Commission is provided with future-orientated knowledge. Prognos supports the expert consortium. Read more Guideline: Data management for successful sustainability reporting 2024 | Project We have produced guidelines for successful sustainability reporting in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive for an industry association. The third guide deals with data management in accordance with the CSRD. Read more AI players in the federal state 2024 | Project Which companies are already using or developing artificial intelligence? Which companies would benefit from the use of AI? Prognos created an interactive dashboard for one federal state. Read more Study on Poverty and income inequality in the context of the digital transformation 2024 | Project The study for the European Commission examines the impact of digitalisation on the employment situation in the individual member states as well as on the EU economy as a whole. Read more Federal Report on Research and Innovation 2024 2024 | Project In the 2024 Federal Research and Innovation Report (BuFi), the Federal Government presents their current research and innovation policy goals and measures. Once again, Prognos assisted the BMBF in the preparation of the report. Read more European cluster ecosystems united 2024 | Project update The European Cluster Conference is a key element of cluster collaboration. It focuses on political priorities, the exchange of best practices and practical contacts across a comprehensive EU-wide network. Read more Germany: Industry sectors put to the test 2024 | Expertise Mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, pharmaceuticals: In which sectors is Germany still a leader? On behalf of the Handelsblatt, we examined how successfully Germany is holding its own against its international competitors. Read more Federal Research and Innovation Report ongoing | Project The Federal Government regularly presents their current research and innovation policy goals and measures in the Federal Research and Innovation Report. Prognos assists the BMBF in the preparation of the report. Read more Clusters meet Regions 18. - 19. June 2024 | Event As part of our work for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents a paper on the cluster landscape in Styria, with a focus on the green and digital transformation in the region. Read more Development of a group-wide raw materials strategy 2024 | Project Our retail industry client commissioned us to develop a group-wide raw materials concept. We assisted the company from conception stage right through to the launch of the interactive web tool. Read more Realignment of European structural funds ongoing | Project Prognos and partners are developing conclusions for the further development of the European structural funds after 2027 by integrating relevant stakeholders. Read more Training On The Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) & Governance Of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) 15. - 19. April 2024 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will be a speaker on the opening panel on "The role of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in smart specialisation" and will give input on the positioning of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process in politics and on EDP-related communication in two further presentations. Read more European Cluster Conference 2024 7. - 8. May 2024 | Event The European Cluster Conference 2024 brings the key players in the European cluster economy together in one place. The Prognos team around Head of EU-Services Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer is providing input both as part of our work for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform and for the NRW.innovativ competence centre. Read more KreativLand Baden-Württemberg 2024 | Project Creatives in the countryside? As scientific partner in the model project KreativLand Baden-Württemberg, Prognos examined the status quo, the opportunities and the challenges facing creatives living and working outside of the urban centres and regions. Read more Clusters meet Regions 26. - 27. March 2024 | Event As part of our work for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents an input paper on the cluster landscape of Lombardy, outlining important considerations for the future development of the region. Read more Trend Report 2024: Germany on its path to digital administration - an update 2024 | Project Where does Germany stand on its path to digital administration? The Trendreport 2024 gives an update and recommendations for the digitalisation of the public administration system. Read more Electromobility standards 2024 | Project The electromobility of the future will interact with other intelligent systems. But for this to be possible digital technologies will have to be standardised. The study shows in which areas standardisation is particularly relevant and how standards are established. Read more Innovation Index Germany 2023 2024 | Project Once again, Prognos has compiled the Innovation Index Germany on behalf of the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications. The index quantifies the impact the expansion of Germany’s digital infrastructure has had on its innovation strength. Read more EU Clusters Talk 21. February 2024 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer, Prognos Head of EU Services, on behalf of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform speaks about cluster policies in the EU at the EU Clusters Talk. Read more German Creative Economy Summit 6. - 7. March 2024 | Event Bianca Creutz will contribute her expertise on the economic potential and future prospects of the cultural and creative industries as a speaker at the German Creative Economy Summit. Read more Dossier: Cultural and creative industries in the metaverse 2024 | Project update The feature dossier addresses which opportunities and challenges the metaverse might hold for the sub-markets of the cultural and creative industries. Read more Innovations in domestic care ongoing | Project A skilled worker shortage and increased numbers of people requiring care: domestic care is facing major challenges. Prognos is evaluates the implementation of the Buurtzorg approach, an innovative community care model, for the Saxon State Ministry for Social Affairs and Social Cohesion. Read more Dossier: The role of clusters in regional transformation processes 2023 | Project update The dossier, which was created as part of the NRW.innovativ competence centre, highlights the role that cluster organisations play in the digital and green transformation in NRW. Read more The potential of smart specialisation strategies 2023 | Project In collaboration with Prof. Dominique Foray, Prognos compiled a policy brief identifying the potential of smart specialisation strategies for driving forward structural transformation. Read more Evaluation of the Eurostars-2 funding programme ongoing | Project Eurostars supports cross-border research cooperation of SMEs in Europe. On behalf of the BMBF, Prognos analyses the effectiveness of the Eurostars-2 programme at national level. Read more Purpose Economy model 2023 | Project Could purpose become the model for business and society? We investigated this as part of our work for the Future Office and compared it with other scenarios. Read more Evaluation of Eurostars-2, the European SME support programme 2023 | Project On behalf of the EU Commission, Prognos and its partners examined the Eurostars-2 SME fund-ing programme as part of the evaluation study of the European Framework Programmes Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Read more Conference: Clusters meet Regions in Košice 2023-03-29 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents an input paper at an EU Clusters meet Regions conference in Košice on March 29. Read more Webinar: Monitoring the Transition to Circular Economy 2023-02-07 | Event Jannis Lambert and Tim Bichlmeier talk about monitoring concepts for the Circular Economy and present a self-assessment tool. Read more Follow-up study on smart specialisation strategies in the EU 2023 | Project We evaluated the 185 smart specialisation strategies of the EU regions together with CSIL: A quantitative study for the EU Commission. Read more Bureaucracy costs in a European comparison 2023 | Project In which country is the implementation of EU law the most streamlined? Our study compares the bureaucratic burden on companies and develops initial proposals. Read more Evaluation of EU funding programme for the development of digital solutions for older people 2022 | Project Digital solutions can make life easier for older people. The EU's Active and Assisted Living Programme (AAL2) has actively contributed to the development of novel solutions. Read more Innovation strategy for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region 2022 | Project Innovation is more and more frequently emerging across regions and industries. Together with IMP³ROVE, we developed a strategy for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (MRH) including out-standing innovation projects. Read more Clusters meet regions workshop in Barcelona 2022-12-16 | Event The fifth Clusters meet Regions workshop will focus on sustainable competitiveness and the role of clusters in this. Read more Cluster meets Regions-Workshop in Croatia 2022-11-29 | Event The "Cluster meets Regions" workshop discusses digital transformation and interregional cooperation in Croatia. Read more Innovation Index Germany 2022 2022 | Project How does the expansion of the digital infrastructure affect regional innovation strength? The IID.2022 provides clarification. Read more International Conference: Smart Specialisation 2022-10-19 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer takes part in a panel discussion on Intelligent Specialisation Strategies. Read more European Cluster Conference 2022 2022-09-27 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer and Lennart Galdiga inform in Prague about the competence centre "NRW.innovativ" and represent the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. Read more Blockchain in the creative industry 2022 | Project Technology enables new business models for creative professionals. And offers solutions for key industry challenges. Read more Findings from the cluster dialogues: The NRW cluster panorama 2022 | Project update The NRW Cluster Panorama defines five subject areas in which the greatest potential for the innovation ecosystem in NRW lies. Read more Triple Helix Conference 2022-06-28 | Event Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer presents the study "Prioritisation in Smart Specialisation Strategies in the EU" at the 20th Triple Helix Conference. Read more Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre (ITZ) is feasible 2022 | Project update The Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre (ITZ) is feasible. Four locations form a network across Germany. Read more Evaluation of the EU Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes ongoing | Project Through the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes, the EU Commission promotes research and innovation in Europe. Prognos evaluates parts of the funding programs. Read more Cluster meets Regions workshop: Baltic region clusters 2022-04-26 | Event The European Cluster Collaboration Platform is organising the second "Cluster meets Regions" workshop with a focus on Lithuania and the Baltic Sea Region. Read more Cluster as motor for regional development in Andalusia 2022 | Project Clusters can support the implementation of the regional economic strategy. This is shown by an input paper from the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, taking Andalusia as an example. Read more Accompanying the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative ongoing | Project The CCRI focuses on the implementation of a circular economy in European cities and regions. Prognos is supporting the initiative as a project partner in the associated Coordination and Support Office. Read more Implementation of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform ongoing | Project The aim of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) is to strengthen the European economy through cooperation. Together with our partners, we are developing the ECCP into a single point of contact for cluster organisations in Europe. Read more Monitoring Schleswig-Holstein’s regional innovation strategy ongoing | Project On behalf of the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Economics, we are supporting the continuation of the innovation strategy RIS3.SH in the 2021 – 2027 funding period with strategic monitoring. Read more Saarland StrategyPlus 2021-2023 2022 | Project On behalf of the Saarland State Chancellery, we have assisted with the update of the Saarland innovation strategy and have prepared the strategy paper, “StrategyPlus 2021–2023". Read more Adobe Stock - CleverStock About us Prognos – Providing Orientation. Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound. Learn more