Zwei Personen in weißen Laborkitteln diskutieren in einem Labor, eine hält ein Tablet, die andere einen Ordner.

Strategic Research Fields

Alongside key technologies, strategic research areas are another focus of Germany's High-Tech Agenda. They address five relevant areas in which research and innovation play an important role in maintaining and improving the prosperity and security of the population. Research areas and key technologies influence each other.

Aerospace

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Air and space travel are of great importance for national security, technological sovereignty, and achieving climate goals. Civil aviation remains a dynamically growing high‑tech industry, and an increasing trend toward commercialization can also be observed in space travel. Future technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum communication, or innovative propulsion systems open up new possibilities to shape the future of environmentally sustainable aviation and spaceflight worldwide, while also preserving growth opportunities and value creation.

Health Research

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Health is one of the most valuable assets of human society. In order to maintain it and to prevent and treat diseases, medical progress must be accelerated along the entire value chain. New health technologies and medical technology are enabling rapid advances in health research. This is giving rise to innovative therapies, diagnostics, preventive measures and new active ingredients, medicines and medical devices – personalised and tailored to specific target groups.

Security and Defence Research

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Research and technology are essential to ensuring social security. This is clearly demonstrated by the changing geopolitical situation, new security threats and natural and man-made disasters. Digital activities such as disinformation and cyberattacks also have a negative impact on society and can jeopardise critical infrastructure. Cyber security is therefore one of the basic prerequisites for a resilient society.

Marine, Climate and Sustainability Research

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We all bear responsibility for preserving and protecting our environment. Innovations for the sustainable use of land and sea, for climate protection and climate adaptation, and for a clean and secure energy supply form the basis for maintaining prosperity and help to meet geostrategic challenges. Technological solutions for the security of maritime infrastructure and sea routes, as well as the development of clean technologies, are therefore becoming increasingly important.

Social Sciences and Humanities

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Social sciences and humanities make an indispensable contribution to overcoming social challenges by generating historical and contemporary knowledge for action and orientation and incorporating this into social and political discourse. Social sciences and humanities also provide valuable insights into the impact of new technologies on our welfare state and on us as human beings. This knowledge is relevant for the preservation of our democratic society and for the consideration of ethical aspects when setting technological goals.