Mission-oriented R&I policies, in-depth case studies : the German High-Tech strategy (Germany) : case study report

The High-Tech Strategy (HTS) was launched in 2006 by the German government as a comprehensive national strategy for all its ministries, with the aim to sustain in global competition based on a structural up-shift of the German economy towards greater research and innovation intensity. The first phase of the HTS was mainly emphasising cross-sectional topics to foster structural change with a focus on key enabling technologies such health, energy, ICT, nanotechnologies etc. An overarching target was to increase Germany's total intramural R&D expenditures to 3 % of GDP, which was first met in 2015. This approach faced an overhaul with the launch of the "New High-Tech Strategy - Innovations for Germany" in 2010 and 2014, now relying on an expanded concept of innovation that includes not only technological innovation but also social innovation with specific emphasis now on the provision of solutions defined areas of societal challenges.