FONA-Strategy

The global transition to a sustainable economy offers enormous opportunities: Clean technologies in energy, mobility and the circular economy not only create economic potential, but are also indispensable for safeguarding the natural foundations of life and leaving future generations a liveable future. The BMFTR is actively helping to shape this transformation through its "Research for Sustainability" strategy.

The strategy focuses on four key research and technology areas:

  • Clean energy, mobility and climate technologies
  • Circular value creation
  • Innovations for quality of life in urban and rural areas
  • Habitats and resources

At the heart of the strategy is the FONA modular approach: The individual modules cover the entire innovation chain – from basic research and market-ready technologies to visionary game changers.

FONA-Insight

Making scientific knowledge a driver of sustainable progress:

FONA-Insight advances understanding of the limits and sustainable use of natural resources, the preservation of our natural life-support systems, climate risks and extreme events, and their interactions with processes of societal change. The newly generated knowledge, together with inter- and transdisciplinary discourse, provides key impetus for evidence-based decision-making in politics, business and society, and supports the transformation towards a climate-neutral, sustainable and sovereign future.

With the election of a new board, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) started its seventh assessment cycle. The Chair of the IPCC for this period is Jim Skea from the United Kingdom.
IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
JPI Oceans
Africa is the continent that emits the least pollutants, but climate change threatens to hit it particularly hard. For this reason, Africa requires greater help for developing strategies and measures in order to adapt to climate change. In this context, land use is a particularly important factor, since ecosystems' outputs provide the basis for nutrition and livelihood. So there is an ever more urgent question as to which extent climate changes and which consequences for land use and water resources African countries are going to have to deal with. For this reason, the BMBF is initiating, in collaboration with African partner countries, the development of Regional Science Service Centres for climate change and adapted land use in Africa. Over the next years, the BMBF will invest up to 100 million euros in development and the initial operational phase. There are currently 10 West African countries and 5 South African countries actively involved in preparations as Partners in order to take over complete responsibility for their long-term operation. The Centres will focus on applied research and, at the same time, adopt an advisory role in their region for public and private decision-makers. One of their key roles will be to bring qualifications to young scientists from African countries. On behalf of the BMBF the organisational unit Environment, Culture, Sustainability in the German Aerospace Center Project Management Agency (DLR-PT) attends functionally and administratively to the Regional Science Service Centres.
WASCAL and SASSCAL Climate Competence Centres

FONA-Impact

Turning cutting-edge research into sustainable value creation:

The FONA-Impact module bridges the gap between the lab and practical application, thereby strengthening value creation and sovereignty in Germany and accelerating the transition towards a resilient economy and society. Its aim is to develop innovative technologies and solutions with a clear pathway to implementation. This explicitly includes technology-driven basic research geared towards value creation and practical application. The module directly seeks to enhance innovation capacity and competitiveness in the global growth market for clean technologies, while also fostering the development and implementation of highly visible flagship projects with broad impact. FONA-Impact also advances innovative solutions and new practices at the local and regional levels that improve quality of life. The funding instruments are specifically geared towards rapid and impactful implementation.

Africa is the continent that emits the least pollutants, but climate change threatens to hit it particularly hard. For this reason, Africa requires greater help for developing strategies and measures in order to adapt to climate change. In this context, land use is a particularly important factor, since ecosystems' outputs provide the basis for nutrition and livelihood. So there is an ever more urgent question as to which extent climate changes and which consequences for land use and water resources African countries are going to have to deal with. For this reason, the BMBF is initiating, in collaboration with African partner countries, the development of Regional Science Service Centres for climate change and adapted land use in Africa. Over the next years, the BMBF will invest up to 100 million euros in development and the initial operational phase. There are currently 10 West African countries and 5 South African countries actively involved in preparations as Partners in order to take over complete responsibility for their long-term operation. The Centres will focus on applied research and, at the same time, adopt an advisory role in their region for public and private decision-makers. One of their key roles will be to bring qualifications to young scientists from African countries. On behalf of the BMBF the organisational unit Environment, Culture, Sustainability in the German Aerospace Center Project Management Agency (DLR-PT) attends functionally and administratively to the Regional Science Service Centres.
WASCAL and SASSCAL Climate Competence Centres
Business people at conference table, woman making hand gestures
JPI Climate
The IIASA office is located in Laxenburg Castle near Vienna, Austria.
IIASA – International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

FONA-Ignite

Turning bold ideas into the breakthrough innovations of tomorrow and beyond:

The FONA-Ignite module complements innovation-oriented research with experimental initiatives and creative approaches. It creates a testing ground for new approaches and visionary ideas, thereby expanding the FONA innovation ecosystem.

It is designed to initiate projects that explore radically new technologies and approaches involving greater risk but also high potential impact. Its aims are to provide initial impetus for long-term, system-changing breakthrough innovations, encourage unconventional approaches to complex challenges, and generate ideas for the business models of the future. To support this, funding instruments will be provided that take account of the higher level of risk involved, specifically address new target groups, and foster competition for the best ideas.

 

The BMFTR funding scheme CDRterra investigates technologies as well as political, environmental and social issues relating to CDR methods.
CDRterra: Research on Carbon Dioxide Removal methods (CDR)

FONA-Talent

Empowering outstanding minds to drive tomorrow’s innovation:

The FONA-Talent module empowers the people needed for a sustainable society. This includes early-career researchers (WiKa), emerging talent with innovative ideas, and high-potential talent from around the world. The aim of the module is to secure the innovation capacity of tomorrow by fostering outstanding minds, thereby safeguarding Germany’s competitiveness and scientific excellence over the long term. As one of the world’s leading research hubs, Germany depends on highly qualified professionals and leaders who develop new ideas, work across and beyond disciplines, and advance sustainable solutions to societal challenges.

JPI Oceans
Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heat waves. This puts a particular strain on vulnerable groups such as older and ill people as well as children.
Junior Research Groups "Climate, Environment and Health"

FONA-International

Advancing shared progress through international cooperation:

With FONA-International, we are strategically strengthening the European and global connectivity of German sustainability research. The focus is on clear priorities and transparent criteria. We develop solutions to transnational challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity and biodiversity loss, while making an important contribution to Germany’s competitiveness. Through our international cooperation, we strengthen excellent research, contribute to local capacity building, expand our role in shaping the global transformation, and open doors to international markets. FONA-International is therefore a key cross-cutting module of the FONA strategy, aimed at strengthening international cooperation wherever it creates particular added value for research, innovation and sustainable development.

With the election of a new board, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) started its seventh assessment cycle. The Chair of the IPCC for this period is Jim Skea from the United Kingdom.
IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
JPI Oceans
Africa is the continent that emits the least pollutants, but climate change threatens to hit it particularly hard. For this reason, Africa requires greater help for developing strategies and measures in order to adapt to climate change. In this context, land use is a particularly important factor, since ecosystems' outputs provide the basis for nutrition and livelihood. So there is an ever more urgent question as to which extent climate changes and which consequences for land use and water resources African countries are going to have to deal with. For this reason, the BMBF is initiating, in collaboration with African partner countries, the development of Regional Science Service Centres for climate change and adapted land use in Africa. Over the next years, the BMBF will invest up to 100 million euros in development and the initial operational phase. There are currently 10 West African countries and 5 South African countries actively involved in preparations as Partners in order to take over complete responsibility for their long-term operation. The Centres will focus on applied research and, at the same time, adopt an advisory role in their region for public and private decision-makers. One of their key roles will be to bring qualifications to young scientists from African countries. On behalf of the BMBF the organisational unit Environment, Culture, Sustainability in the German Aerospace Center Project Management Agency (DLR-PT) attends functionally and administratively to the Regional Science Service Centres.
WASCAL and SASSCAL Climate Competence Centres

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