The Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) has recorded a significant increase in third-party funds raised in 2022: A total of 176.2 million euros were approved; 51.2 million euros were received.
The success is made up of ongoing projects funded by the European Union, the state and federal governments or by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and, in addition, projects with industry. About one-fifth of project funding comes from major research projects funded by the Structural Strengthening Act. Among them is the Cottbus Center for Hybrid Electric Systems (chesco), the Energy Innovation Center EIZ or the joint project New Manufacturing Technologies for Components and Systems of Decentralized Energy Technology (SpreeTec neXt), which deals with decentralized energy technology. Decentralised energy technology is a key technology area for implementing structural change in Lusatia. Concepts are being intensively pursued to scientifically accompany the technological challenges of the energy transition. The focus is on research into climate-friendly green processes for energy conversion and storage. For a holistic coverage of the value chain, the direct production of advanced, highly efficient components and systems for future energy technology is also necessary. This will enable regional medium-sized companies in the metal and plastics processing industry to participate in the potential of environmentally sound technologies.
In the case of third-party funding, a distinction must be made between grants and income: If approvals refer to a multi-year funding phase, receipts describe the money actually received in the calendar year. Approvals for new research projects increased from 47.9 to 176.2 million euros. “This high level of approvals will again have a positive impact on third-party funding revenue in the coming years,” explains Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Hübner, BTU vice president for research and transfer.
In 2022, revenues rose to a new high of 51.2 million euros, following recent significant increases in 2020 (50 million euros) and 2021 (47 million euros). “This means we have been meeting the set revenue target of around 50 million euros per year for the past three years,” sums up Vice President Hübner. At 10.7 million euros, revenue from project funding under the Structural Development Act makes up just under 20 percent of all revenue. Third-party revenues of about 40 million euros from other funding lines are also a record. “For 2023, we expect our third-party funding income to even exceed the level of 2020 to 2022 due to the very high structural strengthening funds.”
Third-party funds are public grants as well as funds raised from foundations or commercial enterprises, which, in addition to the basic state funding of universities, make up a significant part of research funding.
Caption: Library of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)
