Berlin Research 50 Releases Ten Demands for Science Policy Ahead of Elections
Berlin, September 7, 2026 – Berlin Research 50 (BR50), the network of Berlin’s non-university research institutions, has issued a comprehensive position paper with ten key demands for the upcoming Berlin state government. Released in anticipation of the Berlin House of Representatives election on September 20, 2026, the paper aims to solidify the capital’s standing as a globally leading research and innovation hub.
Science is unequivocally a critical location factor for Berlin. The city boasts a high concentration of excellent research institutions across diverse fields, which have not only generated numerous jobs but also make significant economic and societal contributions. These strengths must be further developed through strategic collaboration with the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) and the Berlin Senate. Concrete measures are needed to advance Berlin as an internationally leading and integrated research and innovation space. The goal is to create optimal conditions for research, ensuring Berlin, as an open, diverse metropolitan region, continues to attract young, talented, and curious researchers.
The BR50 institutions have outlined ten central points in their paper that the future Senate should address at both state and federal levels. The objective is to restore science to a higher priority in city politics, acknowledge its significance for Berlin, and communicate this importance to society. “Accordingly, BR50 demands that science be given absolute priority in future departmental allocations. Science is central to the future of our city. It is crucial to implement a research policy strategy through regular dialogue formats that incorporate the existing expertise of BR50 and BUA,” stated Michael Hintermüller (from WIAS), BR50 Chairman and Coordinator of the Engineering Sciences Unit.
BR50 board colleague and Coordinator of the Social Sciences and Humanities Unit, Noa K. Ha (from DeZIM), added: “If politicians uphold science and champion its independence, this serves as a crucial lever for a strong democracy and society.”
Further demands from BR50 include shared research infrastructures and AI and data sovereignty. Berlin offers optimal conditions for these due to its high density of research institutions. It is essential to fully exploit this potential in Berlin to secure an international leading position. “Challenges for collaboration often involve bureaucratic hurdles. Facilitating the transfer of funds to the following year and an innovation-friendly handling of VAT liability in collaborations would be beneficial,” emphasized BR50 Treasurer Uta Bielfeldt (from DRFZ).
Additionally, BR50 advocates for improved conditions for spin-offs from academia and support for the 3Rs (Replace, Reduce, Refine) to develop alternative methods for animal testing. They also call for a competitive – meaning efficient and attractive – model for joint appointments and for transparent and more sustainable career paths that are inter-institutional and inter-sectoral, such as the planned Berlin Career Track by BUA and BR50.
The BR50 position paper is available here.
Contact:
coordinators(at)br50.org
https://www.br50.org
Press release from BR50 dated September 03, 2026.
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