Dear Readers,
German research institutes are among the highest ranked in Europe. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) recently selected three "Knowledge and Innovation Communities" (KICs), all of which have German research institutes playing a decisive role. In fact, German researchers are even in charge of the KIC InnoEnergy that specialises in researching sustainable energy production.
The EIT funding programme is one of the most innovative of its kind in Europe. Its goal is to create a "triangle of knowledge" comprised of education, research and innovation. EIT sees itself as a bridge that links European research findings to international markets.
The overwhelming success of German research institutes at this first pan-European competition hosted by EIT is largely due to the Federal Government's Initiative for Excellence, Excellence Cluster Competition and High-Tech Strategy.
In this issue's interview, the Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Chairman of the German Advisory Council on Global Change, Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, talks about how the institute is contributing to the CLIMATE-KIC.
Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, MdB
Federal Minister of Education and Research
