Evaluierung des BMWi-Programms "FuE-Förderung gemeinnütziger externer Industrieforschungseinrichtungen Ostdeutschlands - Innovationskompetenz einschließlich des Modellvorhabens Investitionszuschuss technische Infrastruktur Ost (INNO-KOM-Ost)"

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the federal R&D program "INNO-KOM-Ost" which is supposed to support non-profit research facilities (IFE) in eastern Germany. "INNO-KOM-Ost" came into effect January 1, 2009. Two former separate support schemes haven been merged in "INNO-KOM-Ost", one addressing basic research projects the other focusing on applied research. Additionally, the program was complemented in 2009 by a third line financing high-capacity equipment and infrastructure as IFE do not obtain any institutional basic funding. Yet, such equipment is elementary in order to be state-of-the art and thus an attractive research partner for the industry. The aim of the program "INNO-KOM-Ost" is to improve the competitiveness of the IFE and to strengthen the generation of knowledge and innovation in East Germany. Through the provision of research and development (R&D) results to the public the innovative ability in particular of small and medium enterprises (SME) are to be supported which consequently contributes to the technological capability and competitiveness of the East German economy. The justification of "INNO-KOM-Ost" has a historical background. Even though the East German innovation system has undergone enormous processes of restructuring and adaptation it still lags behind West Germany regarding industrial research. Large-scale enterprises are rarely existent in East Germany. Hence, industrial research takes place primarily in SME. Yet, SMEs have more difficulties to cope with the risks of R&D than large-scale enterprises which dispose often of large research entities. Therefore, IFE play a major role as R&D provider for the innovation activities of East German SMEs.

Günther, Jutta, Nicole Nulsch, Cornelia Lang, Michael Schwartz, Christoph Hornych, Christian Rammer, Martin Hud and Paula Schliessler (2012), Evaluierung des BMWi-Programms "FuE-Förderung gemeinnütziger externer Industrieforschungseinrichtungen Ostdeutschlands - Innovationskompetenz einschließlich des Modellvorhabens Investitionszuschuss technische Infrastruktur Ost (INNO-KOM-Ost)", Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft (BMWI), Halle und Mannheim