German scientific organizations issue joint appeal to protect research freedom

Twenty-three scientific organizations and business associations in Germany have released a joint position paper titled ‘Free Science – Successful Economy – Strong Germany’. The document, developed by the Berlin Research Network, emphasizes that scientific freedom is a fundamental pillar for a resilient democracy and international economic competitiveness.

The signatories, including acatech, argue that research must be conducted according to scientific standards, protected from political instrumentalization, and shielded from the discredit of researchers. They advocate for maintaining independent peer review and self-governance structures to foster trust in evidence-based findings.

The paper highlights that cooperation between science and industry drives essential technological advancements, such as AI-optimized processes, mRNA-based medicines, and quantum computing. Furthermore, the organizations stress the importance of international cooperation, noting that approximately half of all German scientific publications involve international co-authors.