I agree that merging the technology division from the ministry of economic affairs (BMWK) to the new research ministry is a good step as both ministries have been large providers of funding. The BMBF funds DFG, as well as the large science organizations in Germany (Fhg, Mpg, ...), the BMWK has funded research which is closer to applications, of course looking to enable economic activity.
I'm unsure why the ministry gets a special focus on aerospace, this topic is being worked on by the DLR, funded by BMBF.
I'm also not yet sure what to think about splitting education and research. It goes against the Humboldtian Ideal, especially in the universitys both topics are connected. On the other hand, it might enable the ministries to be more focused and do reforms that don't depend on each other to be performed more quickly.
The research ministry will go to CSU, the bavarian sister party of CDU. While it may not be very popular amongst many Germans, because CSU is seen as conservative and individual CSU politicians are not famous science policymakers, Bavaria is a successful science hub. Munich is home to international leading institutions (TUM, MPG, FhG). Bavaria is also a hub for aerospace with Aibus and MTU and startups like Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg. Maybe repeating what bavarian policymakers have done regionally to the whole of Germany will be good.
> I'm also not yet sure what to think about splitting education and research. It goes against the Humboldtian Ideal, especially in the universitys both topics are connected.
According to the German constitution (Grundgesetz), schools and universities are (mainly) the responsibility of the individual German states, not the federal government.[1] (A hybrid is the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology that has a university branch under the supervision of the state of Baden-Württemberg and a research centre branch under federal supervision.) The educational tasks of the federal government therefore basically relate to extracurricular and non-university education, such as early childhood education or adult further education.
At the level of the individual states, higher education and research are generally combined in one ministry and school education in another.
[1] Actually the Grundgesetz states in Art. 30: "The exercise of state powers and the performance of state duties shall be a matter for the individual states (Länder), unless otherwise provided for or permitted by this Basic Law." The authority of the federal government in education policy is therefore derived from what is explicitly mentioned in various places in the Basic Law. A short overview what that involves can be found here: https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/416682/db04b405a48dbe... (PDF, 2009, in German).
Thank you for the background explanation and the link. KIT is actually my Alma Mater (cs).
You are right the overlap is not that large. I was thinking about the WissZeitVG, Exzellenzstrategie, Tenure-Track-Program.
As for the Länder, I personally think the transition between the Abitur and university could benefit from stronger collaboration between the involved ministries. For example by better aligning the educational goals of high school to the demands of universities and by integrating education research into schools. By this I mean the continuous application of the results of educational research to schools and the constant monitoring of schools.
Some more background information on the laws and initiatives you mentioned.
The WissZeitVG falls within the competence of the federal government due to the exemption regulation of Art. 74 I Nr. 12 GG for labour laws.
The "Exzellenzstrategie" and the Tenure Track Programme are cooperations between the federation and the states based on Art. 91b Abs. 1 GG: "The federation and the states may co-operate on the basis of agreements in cases of supra-regional importance in the promotion of science, research and teaching. Agreements focussing on higher education institutions shall require the consent of all states. ..." (original: "Bund und Länder können auf Grund von Vereinbarungen in Fällen überregionaler Bedeutung bei der Förderung von Wissenschaft, Forschung und Lehre zusammenwirken. Vereinbarungen, die im Schwerpunkt Hochschulen betreffen, bedürfen der Zustimmung aller Länder. ...")
