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Hightech Agenda Bavaria

The Hightech Agenda Bavaria forms a major advancement in innovation with an investment of approximately 5.5 billion euro, which is one-of-a-kind in Germany. The initiative invests in the brightest minds and aims to create and maintain 3,800 positions across Bavarian universities. Among these positions, 1,000 new professorships will be established in key future fields such as artificial intelligence, clean tech and aerospace.

Milestones

The Most Important Steps Taken In The Hightech Agenda So Far

Which developments have there been in the past years? The following overview offers the highlights of the Hightech Agenda Bavaria, from the declaration by the government up until now.

Regierungserklärung von Mnisterpräsident Dr. Markus Söder
Foto: Bayerische Staatskanzlei
10th October, 2019
The Minister-President of Bavaria, Dr. Markus Söder, announces the Hightech Agenda Bavaria in the Bavarian State Parliament.
Roboter an der Hochschule Coburg
Roboter an der Hochschule Coburg
15th May, 2020
Bavaria’s universities establish over 100 professorships with a focus on artificial intelligence. Starting with centres in Munich (artificial intelligence and robotics), Würzburg (data science), Erlangen-Nuremberg (medicine) and Ingolstadt (mobility), the Free State of Bavaria seeks to establish a thematically AI-focused network throughout the state. 50 professorships will commence research and the various research institutes and a further 50 will be employed at academic institutes throughout Bavaria.
Pressekonferenz zur Hightech Agenda plus Mit Dr. Markus Söder und Hubert Aiwanger
Foto: Bayerische Staatskanzlei
14th September, 2020
The Hightech Agenda Plus – the implementation of the Hightech Agenda continues to accelerate: measures that were initially planned for later years are brought forward and additional projects are being launched. The Free State of Bavaria promotes cutting-edge technologies throughout the region.
Research in Bavaria
3rd December, 2020
The ‘Research in Bavaria’ initiative commences: with the help of the international marketing initiative, the Free State of Bavaria is pursuing the goal of attracting the most promising upcoming researchers from around the globe to Bavaria.
Bayerns KI-Rat
Foto: Elke Neureuther/StMWi
22nd December, 2020
Bavaria’s AI council is established. A top-class panel of experts will oversee the expansion of Bavaria’s artificial intelligence network.
Logo Munich Quantum Valley
Logo Munich Quantum Valley
27th January, 2021
The Munich Quantum Valley initiative, consisting of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Erlangen-Nuremburg (FAU), along with the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the German Aerospace Center, the Fraunhofer Society and the Max Planck Society, is established. The ultimate goal is the development of quantum computing throughout Bavaria.
Hochhaus mit blauem Himmel von unten betrachtet.
Foto: Luke van Zyl/unsplash
31st March, 2021
State-of-the-art infrastructure for cutting-edge research: a program for construction of modular buildings at academic institutions throughout Bavaria, powered by an investment of over 125 million euros, is launched. It provides an inspiring work environment for the 2500 additional jobs created at Bavarian academic institutions by 2023 under the Hightech Agenda.
Ludwig-Boelkow-Campus Taufkirchen
Foto: Rufus46
12th July, 2021
The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) moves into a new building at the Ottobrunn site. Newly appointed professors, parts of the administration and the "Venture Lab Aerospace", which supports scientists and students in their ventures, will move into the faculty building.
Modulbau an der TH Ingolstadt
Foto: THI
31st January, 2022
The first modular building funded by the Hightech Agenda Bavaria is operational after a record construction time of less than nine months. Over 550 million euros are made available for further construction and renovation projects throughout Bavaria.
Studieren am Medizincampus Niederbayern
Foto: Julia Dragan/Universität Regensburg
22nd March, 2022
Lower Bavaria’s medical campus is on its way: under the Hightech Agenda, the Free State of Bavaria advances medical education in the region. The University of Regensburg is central to the project, along with training centres in Passau, Deggendorf, Straubing and Landshut. In combination with a newly established medical facility in Augsburg and the medical campus in Upper Franconia, over 2700 study places will be created.
Eröffnung Aerospace Flight Test Center
Foto: Joerg Koch/Bayerische Staatskanzlei
24th March, 2022
Innovation in Aerospace: the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Applied Sciences Munich (HM) obtain an Aerospace Flight Test Center under the Hightech Agenda, unique throughout Europe.
Test-Straße mit Sensoren
Foto: THI
17th May, 2022
The first testing area for autonomous driving opens at the Ingolstadt Technical University (THI): The so-called "First Mile" is a unique project in Bavaria to establish a test track for automated driving in urban traffic. The test track connects the Ingolstadt-Süd motorway junction with the expected Audi Innovation Campus. As part of key scientific projects, a system applying 5G technology as a means of safeguarding autonomous driving is being developed together with prominent members of the business community.
Wissenschaftsminister Markus Blume im KI-Showroom Augsburg
Foto: Axel König/StMWK
23rd May, 2022
Industry 4.0 in Augsburg: the university opens the artificial intelligence showroom for regional firms. The showroom is primarily focused on regional firms and is part of the ‘AI project Augsburg’. The project seeks to apply AI methods to keep production and automation throughout Bavaria competitive and future-proof.
Leibniz-Rechenzentrum
Foto: Michael Brenner
25th May, 2022
The world’s largest superchip for processing ‘Big Data’: the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Garching is the first scientific supercomputing centre in Europe to grant academic researchers access to what is currently seen as the largest and most powerful next-generation AI chip.
Vorlesung im Hörsaal an der Hochschule Neu-Ulm
Foto: Hochschule Neu-Ulm
21st July, 2022
Agility, excellence and innovation: The Bavarian Higher Education Act is passed in the Bavarian State Parliament. After extensive dialogue between the concerned parties, the Higher Education Innovation Act forms the legal framework for the Hightech Agenda Bavaria.
Hyperloop-Demonstrator-Tunnel
Foto: TUM Hyperloop
30th September, 2022
The dawn of a new age of mobility is among us: the Hyperloop research program at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) commences the construction of a testing area for high-speed Hyperloop transportation, which is one-of-a-kind in Europe. At the testing area in Ottobrunn, a 24-meter-long tunnel is being built in which a custom-fit passenger transportation capsule will be installed.
Leibniz Rechenzentrum
Foto: Axel König/StMWK
4th October, 2022
Bavaria plays a leading role in the field of quantum computing: the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Garching is a leading European hub for supercomputing. As part of the initiative, quantum processors will be integrated into a classic supercomputer.
Roboter ander Hochschule Landshut
Foto: Hochschule Landshut
18th October, 2022
The Hightech Agenda is on track and having a clear impact: almost 50% of the planned 1000 professorships have already been filled. The brightest minds are coming to Bavaria!
Forscherinnen in Bayreuth
Foto: Uni Bayreuth
10th November, 2022
The Bavarian Think Tank for the Future of Nutrition opens: the Kulmbach Campus of the University Bayreuth opens, where the natural science fields of nutrition, exercise and health are combined with relevant economic, juridical, sociological and behavioural topics through research and education.
Forschungslabor am BayBatt
Foto: Uni Bayreuth
2nd December, 2022
Energy in Bavaria: the Free State of Bavaria is establishing its own educational program concerning batteries and energy storage at the Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBATT), a first in the German speaking area. At BayBATT, top-class interdisciplinary scientists conduct research and educate regarding the future of energy storage.
Wissenschaftsminister Markus Blume am TUM Campus für Geriatronik in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Foto: Axel König/StMWK
19th December, 2022
Bavaria is establishing a unique campus in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to research and apply robotics and AI in healthcare. In the 2023 draft budget alone, 4.7 million euros of material resources and 14 additional positions are earmarked for unique research on these healthcare assistance systems.
Pressekonferenz zum Hightech Transfer Bayern mit Ministerpräsident Dr. Markus Söder und Wissenschaftsminister Markus Blume
Foto: StMWK
7th February, 2023
Bavaria launches the ‘High-Tech Transfer Bavaria’ initiative: through Bavaria’s 15 newly established technology transfer centres throughout Bavaria and new start-up hubs in the university regions, the transfer of technology from paper to practice will be boosted. More than 100 million euros have been earmarked to awaken even more start-up spirit at universities and to facilitate technology transfer, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas.
Wirtschaftsminister Hubert Aiwanger, Digitalministerin Judith Gerlach, Ministerpräsident Dr. Markus Söder und Wissenschaftsminiter Markus Blume auf der
Foto: Axel König/StMWK
23rd Febuary, 2023
The stars of the global AI scene on podium, more than 500 participants on site, 1500 offline participants in the livestream and an impressive exhibition of research institutes and companies: With the international AI conference AI.BAY 2023 in Munich, the Free State of Bavaria presents itself as an impactful location in the field of artificial intelligence.

Flagship Projects

Bavaria is rigorously investing in state-of-the-art research and career prospects with regards to innovative future technologies.

The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre

The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) is a world-class supercomputing center enabling academics and researchers to perform the most complex calculations with one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

The recent decision of the European High-Performance joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) to integrate quantum processors into a classical supercomputer at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre illustrates Bavaria’s impressive top position in this emerging field.

Leibniz Rechenzentrum
Foto: Axel König/StMWK
Munich Quantum Valley

Munich Quantum Valley
Tomorrow’s supercomputer is currently under construction in Munich Quantum Valley (MQV). As a collaborative project between academia, industry, research and public organisations, the joint platform offers state-of-the-art framework conditions for the emergence and further research of quantum technologies and quantum computing throughout Bavaria. The MQV forms a crucial part of the Bavarian quantum technology ecosystem, and further development of these advanced technologies promises to give rise to a phenomenal quantum industry in the region.

The Munich Center for Machine Learning (MCML) and The Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Learning (MIRMI) stand for world-class research and development in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

Foto: Kuo-Yi Chao/TUM
Visualisierung des Hyperloops
Foto: Hyperloop/TUM

Hyperloop
The high-speed transport system of the future Hyperloop is being researched and developed in Munich. The leading role is held by The Department of Aerospace and Geodesy of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). With an outstanding team of 25 professors and research chairs, the department belongs to the cutting edge of the international research community. According to the Shanghai Subject Ranking, TUM’s Geodesy & Remote-Sensing department currently ranks at an impressive 5th place worldwide, whereas the Aerospace department ranks 17th worldwide (TUM Hyperloop | Engineering A World Without The Limits Of Distance And Time).

Bavarian Artificial Intelligence Network
Last but not least, The Bavarian Artificial Intelligence Network is centered in Munich (with a focus on intelligent robotics) and numerous centers of excellence have been established in Würzburg (data science), Erlangen-Nürnberg (health sciences) and Ingolstadt (mobility). The centers connect over 100 artificial intelligence professors throughout the region. The Artificial Intelligence Network offers Bavaria a one-of-a-kind ecosystem in the emerging field of artificial intelligence.

Foto: gorodenkoff

The Brightest Minds for Bavaria

Innovation starts with an idea. Vision is equally important as knowledge when it comes to progress. Through the Hightech Agenda Bavaria, renowned researchers, as well as upcoming talents, are brought to Bavaria. In a joint collaboration, Bavaria continues to improve on a daily basis, proving a hub conducive to innovation in order to continuously improve daily life in the Free State.

Thanks to being home to Germany’s most modern appointment law, professors with particularly high academic qualifications can be appointed even more quickly and easily than ever before through the instrument of excellence appointments.

With the Distinguished Professorship Program as an integral part of the Hightech Agenda, Bavaria’s scientific landscape seeks to attract internationally renowned professors in the long term, conducting high-level research in multidisciplinary, pioneering scientific exploration. In the event of a successful appointment, the program grants the corresponding Bavarian state university a financial sum of up to €5 million throughout a five-year period post-appointment.

In the following overview, we present a selection of professors appointed in the context of the Hightech Agenda with a focus on research and education. The overview will be continuously expanded throughout the initiative.

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As part of the Bavarian Distinguished Professorship Program, Prof. Dr. Marcel Hülsbeck, Transformation and Innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Family Businesses, has been appointed to Munich University of Applied Sciences. In the video Q&A, Prof. Dr. Hülsbeck introduces himself and his research.

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The internationally renowned computer scientist Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Wille has been appointed to the Technical University of Munich (TUM) as part of the Bavarian Distinguished Professorship Program. In the video Q&A, Professor Wille introduces himself and his research.

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With Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard, one of the internationally most renowned robotics experts is now conducting research at Nuremberg University of Technology as part of the Bavarian Distinguished Professorship Program In the video Q&A, Professor Burgard introduces himself and his research.

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The Free State of Bavaria is investing 5.5 billion euros in the future viability of our state!

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1,000 new professorships will be created by the Hightech Agenda!

Icon Studienplätze

An additional 13,000 university places will be created – many of those in AI and SuperTech!

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98% of all government-services will be offered digitally!

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By 2025 the Free State of Bavaria will have invested 3.1 million euros in fiber-optic technology and over 8,400 5G technology extension and expansion measures!

Icon Wasserstofftankstelle

The Free State of Bavaria is investing over 50 million euros in hydrogen stations and in the 300 stakeholders in the newly established Bavarian Hydrogen Alliance!

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100 million euros will be allocated to Air Mobility and the development of innovative transport solutions!

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The Free State provides 250 million euros for 19 digital start-up centres across 28 locations!

Study and work in Bavaria

The Hightech Agenda offers a pristine environment for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) study programs, leading to limitless career prospects throughout Bavaria.


With a newly announced capacity for an additional 3,800 academic positions, including a further 1,000 additional professorships, the Hightech Agenda has substantially increased Bavaria’s already impressive educational offering. In particular, 100 chairs have been newly established in the field of artificial intelligence.

One thing is certain: Great academic careers begin in Bavaria! The region is home to several internationally renowned universities. Due to the Hightech Agenda’s billions worth of educational investments and Bavaria being home to one of the most modern higher education laws in Germany, internationally renowned universities are destined to maintain their top position in the international rankings. In 2022, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) further improved its international ranking by scoring 5th worldwide in the field of robotics according to the CSRankings. TUM has consolidated its position as a leading high-tech university, being the only European university to score within the top ten of the ranking. Furthermore, in the year 2022 alone, 13 European Research Council (ERC) grants were awarded to young Bavarian scientists. The ERC grant thereby offered up to €1.5 million to Bavaria’s leading scientists with a passion for innovation.

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Research in Bavaria
Research in Bavaria
Study in Bavaria
Study in Bavaria
The Elite Network of Bavaria
Elite Network of Bavaria

The Hightech Agenda Strengthens Knowledge and Technology Transfer

The establishment of 15 new Technology Transfer Centers (TTZ) will further enhance collaboration between companies and higher education institutions throughout the region, especially regarding high technology. This creates an excellent environment for the transfer of scientific knowledge into marketable products, therefore propelling the innovative power and competitiveness of the Bavarian economy. There are already 26 Technology Transfer Centers in all regions of Bavaria, which could also benefit from extra funding by the Hightech Agenda recently. Four more centers are currently under construction.

Distinguished Careers and Quality of Life

Roboter vor Bergsee

In Bavaria, one can find the best educational opportunities in combination with a particularly high quality of life. According to a recent study regarding the industrial quality of location, Bavaria ranked second in a world ranking of industrial regions. In addition to leading educational programs, Bavaria offers outstanding career prospects in both the business and technology sectors. Bavaria brings about the unique opportunity to excel in your career while living in a cosmopolitan society with excellent living conditions in a technology-driven country.

Exceptional Conditions for Founders and Start-ups

Higher education institutions play a central role in the creation and “levelling-up” of newly established businesses in the Bavarian start-up ecosystem. Both medium- and large sized institutions stood out in Stifterverband’s annual ranking “Gründungsradar 2022“, where they are ranked based on entrepreneurial merit. With the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG), which came into effect on 1st January 2023, this ecosystem will be even further strengthened. To illustrate Bavaria’s entrepreneurial ambition, the promotion of innovative start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures has been expressly declared a key objective of higher education institutions.

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