As one of the largest private science sponsors in Germany, the Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Science and Humanities in Germany has the task of examining and evaluating the German research and innovation system. The R&D survey focuses on the following questions, for example:

  • How much does German industry invest in research and development?
  • What impact does this have on the future viability of this country?

This data is collected annually by the Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Science and Humanities in Germany (Stifterverband fΓΌr die deutsche Wissenschaft) on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in the science statistics.

Research and development Data collection

In the mid-1970s, the first information on research and development activities in Germany was collected by science statistics on behalf of the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research). Since then, the data have been collected annually in two different ways. In the odd-numbered years, a complete survey of the research and development data of all researching companies and institutes for collaborative research (IfG) is carried out by the Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany. In the even-numbered years, on the other hand, the Association conducts sample surveys.

Award criteria for the “Innovative through Research” label

In order to receive the “Innovative through Research” seal of approval from the Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany, a researching company must take part in the biennial full survey on research and development in the German economy. The participating company is then evaluated by the Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany (Stifterverband) and, after successful examination, awarded the “Innovative through Research” seal of approval. The seal was awarded for the first time in 2014 and is valid for two years from the date of award (currently until 31 December 2021).

Finepower GmbH was able to fulfil all criteria and has now been honoured with the seal “Innovative through Research”.