The Sächsische Industrieforschungsgemeinschaft e.V. (SIG) represents non-profit external industrial research institutions in Saxony. SIG was founded in Dresden on April 30, 2014 in order to pool the strengthes of the saxon research institutes. It currently has nineteen members.
With its wide-ranging research spectrum, the research association strengthens transfer-oriented, market-preparatory research in the interest of Saxony's small and medium-sized enterprises. The content focus is on the one hand on the Saxon future industries such as material, technology and process development, on the other hand always on the pulse of central questions of important social challenges, such as resource efficiency or environmental compatibility.
SIG members make a major contribution to increasing the innovative capacity of Saxony's corporate sector. 1030 employees and a total turnover of 88 million euros (2016) under the SIG collaboration clearly show how important innovations are for necessary growth processes for small and medium-sized enterprises.
As a reliable link between business and science, non-profit external industrial research institutions have played a significant role in Saxony's excellent reputation in the field of research and development.
Cooperatively, SIG works to secure and expand qualified jobs in research and industry in Saxony. There is a lively exchange of experience between the participating Saxon institutes.
The German Industrial Research Association Konrad Zuse e.V. represents the public interests of non-profit industrial research institutions in Germany. The members of the association, which is open to technology and industry, include independent research institutions from all over Germany that offer a wide range of technological competencies, starting from the material sciences of wood, plastics, textiles or paper, through production technology from joining technology to plant engineering, optics, mechatronics and information to waste disposal. The members promote innovations in all sectors, from agriculture and medicine to mechanical engineering and shipbuilding.
As a link between industry and science, the member institutions of the Zuse Association are legally and economically independent and do not belong to the major research associations Fraunhofer, Max Planck, Leibniz or Helmholtz, which are institutionally jointly funded by the federal and state governments, or to companies.
The Zuse institutes are characterized by flexibility, speed, cost efficiency, research effectiveness and regional proximity. With their know-how, they provide important impetus for innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany.
The initiative to establish the Industrial Research Association in January 2015 was prompted from the institutes themselves. This gave thems a common voice and representation for the first time. This alliance gave the German research landscape a third pillar alongside universities and large-scale research associations.
In addition to promoting scientific cooperation between the individual members, a core task of the Zuse Association is to represent the common concerns of the non-profit research institutions to the federal government, the states, industry, other scientific organizations and the public.
The goals of the Zuse Association are:
- Strengthening the performance of the research community through networking and synergies between the research institutions of the Zuse community.
- Securing the competitiveness of the research institutions joined in the Zuse Association through continuous funding by the federal and state governments
- Ensuring a high quality standard in the research institutions of the Zuse community through regular evaluation
- Advising the federal and state governments on the design of framework conditions for research and innovation by the Zuse community
- Training and qualifying the scientific and technical staff by research institutions of the Zuse community
VIU stands for the strengthening of industrial research and the efficient market launch of innovations in industrial SMEs.
Motto: Join forces - use synergies - strengthen innovative SMEs.
There is no innovation without research and development – and no growth without innovation.
Founded in 1992, the Verband Innovativer Unternehmen e.V. (VIU) stands for strengthening industrial research and efficient market introduction of innovations in industrial SMEs. It represents the interests of researching SMEs and non-profit, external, non- funded industrial research institutions and is the only business association that explicitly advocates the development and strengthening of industrial research potential, even in small companies. The VIU has been shaping the R&D funding landscape in Germany for over 20 years. The results of its dedicated work are the much-used BMWK programs ZIM, INNO-KOM-Ost and Investment Subsidy Technical Infrastructure as well as funding instruments at the state level.
The association is widely honored as a competent and combative partner in parliaments, ministries, associations and chambers. There are particularly close relations with the BMWK. It has influence and experience that is beneficial to innovative SMEs throughout Germany.
The VIU is organized at federal and state level. Membership is open to all topics and industries and independent of legal form.
