Free State of Saxony

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Europe's leading microelectronics cluster Silicon Saxony, a strong automotive and supplier industry with its Automobile Suppliers Network (AMZ)and a, for the state’s size, considerable number of other networks contribute to keeping Saxony's economy fit for the future by offering new products. The Free State is also making targeted investments in up-and-coming areas such as biotechnology, lightweight materials as well as energy and healthcare textiles. The central measure of Saxony's cluster policy at the state level is a guideline for cluster funding that was redesigned in 2016. The state policy supports the formation of clusters and networks with funding for cooperation networks, a funding competition for ambitious future concepts and strategic management support from an external project management agency. In addition, Saxony offers all applicants and networkers support in participating in federal tenders or competitions.

The success of Saxon networks can be seen, among other things, in the consortium leadership of five projects in the program Zwanzig20 – Partnerschaft für Innovation (Partnership for Innovation) of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the above-average success in the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Several other clusters are being supported within the framework of the Leading-Edge Clusters Competition or the funding measure Internationalisation of Leading-Edge Clusters, Forward-Looking Projects and Comparable Networks of the BMBF. For the implementation of the projects developed in the networks, accompanying funding is available within the framework of the ERDF technology funding programs.

Regional focal points of smart specialisation: Saxony's smart specialisation focuses on the interfaces between traditional, highly innovative industries, key technologies and future topics with high growth potential. Saxony supports a regional cluster, the EIT RawMaterials – Regional Center Freiberg (RCF), with EUproNet funding. Saxon institutions are in a network with more than 120 European and international research and industry partners in the field of raw materials research. Together with their European and international partners, they have so far been able to obtain 49 projects within the framework of the EIT RawMaterials calls for proposals.

(last update: March 2022)