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This page was translated automatically using artificial intelligence (DeepL). The German version is binding. More information about automatic translation
Research at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is – unlike at universities – funded almost exclusively by third-party funding. The large number of projects, publications, patents and collaborative PhD programmes would be unthinkable without third-party funding, as government budgetary resources available for this purpose are extremely limited. In 2022, researchers at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences secured and utilised exactly 17,273,471.12 euros in third-party funding to carry out their projects. This amounts to an average of more than 158,500 euros per professorship. This is an excellent figure and is 3.65 times the national average for Universities of Applied Sciences (UoAS) (UoAS national average for 2020: 43,400 euros). Crucially, however, it is primarily many academic talents who are benefiting from this success.
Rector Professor Volker Tolkmitt: “I am delighted to see such figures at the start of my term of office. I am particularly pleased for our many young researchers that their own commitment, that of their professors, and the professional perseverance of our Research Department throughout the complex application processes have enabled them to build a future here in Mittweida. Mittweida University of Applied Sciences has once again demonstrated that, together, we can make progress with good ideas.”
Success in Europe for early-career researchers
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is the most successful UoAS in Saxony in terms of securing direct EU funding. With these funds, it has been able to more than offset the funding shortfall caused by the end of the funding period for EU Structural Funds between 2019 and 2022 and, overall (EU Structural Funds – ESF, ERDF and other EU programmes) to 3.0 million euros in 2022, compared with 2.3 million euros in 2021. The ESF projects are primarily aimed at early-career researchers and technology projects at the university, thereby helping to secure Saxony’s future as a centre for science and business. One example is the LaNa-Sax early-career research group, which, with six academic talents and six student and research assistants, will be conducting research until the end of 2024 in the highly complex field of digital laser technologies and their applications.
Working successfully at national level for the region
Federal funding (BMBF, BMWK and other federal ministries) accounted for the largest share, at 9.1 million euros, representing an increase of more than 50 per cent compared with the previous year. This also includes the projects secured within the Mittweida blockchain showcase region. These accounted for almost 7 per cent of the total funding.
Successful in the business world
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences has secured 2.2 million euros from the Free State of Saxony and 1.1 million euros from other organisations. The share of funding from industry remains constant at 1.6 million euros. This is no mean feat, given the difficult and uncertain situation facing businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The proportion of funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) remains at a level typical for UoAS, accounting for 1.5 per cent of total income.
Professor Uwe Mahn, Vice-Rector for Research at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences: “From many discussions with companies, particularly those in the region, I know that funding for contract research and collaborations with the academic sector is not readily available at the moment. I am therefore all the more pleased about the continued trust that companies place in the applied research carried out at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences.”
Figures – and people
Behind these figures lie 218 projects carried out last year across the five faculties, central departments and institutes at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, as well as well over 200 staff members funded by these grants, including many academic talents. The university’s strongest research unit was the Faculty Applied Computer Sciences and Biosciences, which accounted for a quarter of the external funding. The Mittweida University of Applied Sciences Laser Institute (LHM) contributed 21 per cent to total income, whilst the Faculty of Engineering Sciences contributed around 18 per cent.
Inter-faculty projects accounted for over 22 per cent. These include, for example, ESF doctoral scholarships and the Women Professors Programme. Both programmes are designed to support early-career researchers at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences.