Research safety

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In accordance with instructions from the management, the Export Control Department has been the point of contact for carrying out risk assessments in the context of research security since the end of 2022, especially in cooperation with critical countries in accordance with the BMI's list of countries.  
The audits are carried out in close cooperation with WEO, PER, IT Security and Management.

The background to the audits is the turning point described by the BMBF as follows:

"Since the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, the world has been characterised by a turning point. Multipolarity, hybrid threats and systemic rivalry, especially with China, have been steadily increasing even before that. We are experiencing a world in upheaval, and not just since the turning point. This has consequences for science and research,’ says Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger.


Germany needs a more strategic approach that harmonises the high value of scientific freedom with security policy interests in international cooperation. At the same time, Germany's technological sovereignty in the field of key technologies must be strengthened. For this reason, the BMBF has drawn up a position paper on research security based on the guiding principle ‘as open as possible, as closed as necessary’.

Questioning the strict separation of civilian and non-military research

In particular, the sometimes strict separation between civilian and military research in Germany needs to be scrutinised. This was made clear by the Munich Security Conference this year and the annual report of the Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation.

The BMBF is in favour of the responsible stakeholders reassessing the current separation. "In this way, we can leverage synergies and strengthen our innovative power. ‘Especially in these times, we can no longer afford to do without it,’ emphasises Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger.

The BMBF will also examine with funding organisations the extent to which funding incentives for increased cooperation between civilian and military research in suitable areas would make sense. However, there are no plans to fund targeted military research.

Reflection and revision of the self-regulatory instruments of science

Cutting-edge research is no longer conceivable without international collaboration, but this does not come without risks. The measures to protect research security must be proportionate to the risks. With this in mind, the existing instruments, structures and procedures of research security are to be examined to determine whether they continue to meet national security interests. It will be evaluated how they can be further developed to ensure effective, risk-appropriate and proportionate protection.

Increasing knowledge and awareness

Another important part of strengthening German research security is promoting awareness and self-regulation in the scientific community with regard to issues relevant to research security. A broader awareness and knowledge of the risks to which research is increasingly exposed should be created and anchored in the scientific system. The threats include in particular

  • the misuse of research
  • foreign influence
  • spying on employees and
  • the outflow of expertise and technology abroad.

The BMBF will actively support the review and (further) development of corresponding guidelines and instruments by the scientific community. For example, the BMBF is proposing a central information platform on research security and a clearing centre to support scientific personnel and scientific institutions in the risk management of security-critical technologies in international research collaborations. A European solution is under discussion."

Due to the turnaround, the demands on testing will not decrease in the future.

With regard to research security, the BMBF's position paper states that existing instruments, structures and procedures must be reviewed to determine whether they continue to meet security interests and, if necessary, how they can be further developed to ensure effective, risk-appropriate and proportionate protection. This applies in particular to access regulations to the campus and the identification of security-relevant areas and their protection.  


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