In September 2018, the Federal Cabinet adopted the 7th Energy Research Programme entitled ‘Innovations for the Energy Transition’. The programme defines the current principles and priorities for Federal Government funding for innovative energy technology. The Federal Government provides around €1.3 billion annually under the 7th Energy Research Programme for the research, development, demonstration and testing of forward-looking technologies and concepts. The programme, which the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is managing, is implemented together with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). Thematic priorities and focus areas are set on the basis of the following strategy lines:

• A focus on the transfer of technology and innovation, in particular through the Living Labs for the Energy Transition as a new funding pillar for preparing innovative solutions for the market on an industrial scale. At the same time, more funding shall be made available to startups, which are considered essential for providing fresh impetus for the energy transition. The Energy Research Networks and research communication are also important elements for the transfer of knowledge within industry and the energy sector.
• An increased focus on cross-sectoral and cross-system issues of the energy transition such as digitisation, sector coupling and socioeconomic research with a view towards ensuring a holistic funding approach.
• Close networking of research on European and international level. Cooperation with international organisations will be continuously expanded and scientific exchange will be promoted. In addition, export capacity and competitiveness are to be strengthened.
• For the first time, the Energy Research Programme has an interministerial, topic-focused structure for project funding. The well-proven division of labour between the ministries will be maintained and is in line with the concept of the technology readiness level (TRL) of the topics and technologies being researched.