Cabinet decision
Non-profit research institutions should be able to compete internationally for the best minds. They should thus be able to make a contribution to the common good with their research. The Federal Cabinet is therefore looking to expand the Freedom of Science Act.
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More flexible remuneration regulations are intended to make it easier for research institutions to recruit top international talent.
Photo: mauritius images / Bruno Golemac / Alamy
The German science system is in constant international competition. Non-university research in Germany is therefore still dependent on research-friendly conditions. Non-profit, non-university research institutions should be able to compete internationally for the best minds. The Federal Cabinet has therefore decided to amend the Freedom of Science Act.
More efficient recruitment, less bureaucracy
In future, industry-related, non-profit research institutions will be allowed to pay their scientists better salaries than comparable federal employees. This applies to organisations that receive project funding from public funds but do not use public funds for salary payments.
The rule that has now been adopted will also ensure that fewer individual applications for exceptions to this ban on preferential treatment will have to be submitted and reviewed in future. This means that it also helps to reduce bureaucracy. The amendment to the law implements a corresponding mandate from the coalition agreement.