Innovative software solutions are today placing German businesses ahead of their competitors in many fields on the international markets. This is a success not least of research funding. In these fields, the Project Management Agency “Software Systems and Knowledge Technologies” in DLR supports the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) in implementing research funding programmes at national and international levels, both by developing funding priorities and in preparing and deciding on funding measures. Most importantly however, the Project Management Agency provides expertise and organisational support for all phases of a project, from advising applicants through evaluating and processing applications to complete project management and results auditing.
As software systems are an interdisciplinary technology, the Project Management Agency has developed and accumulated a wide range of skills and experience. For example, the Project Management Agency meanwhile has extensive knowledge not only of the various subsections of computer science, but also of the numerous industries in which this technology is applied, such as mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, medical technology, agriculture, the construction industry, energy engineering, shipping and logistics, resulting in the following current key funding areas: