The impact of European community policies upon science and technology in Germany

The importance of the Commission of the European Communities as a policy agent in the German research landscape has increased over the last 10 years. German participants in the Second Framework Programme form a relatively small community; however, there is a large potential in Germany for future participation in EC programmes. One important impact of EC projects for participating enterprises, higher education institutes and non-university R&D institutes is the improvement of the knowledge base and scientific skills. Another crucial impact is the bringing together European R&D actors and supporting the creation of a "European technology community". These and other results of the German IMPACT study were presented.