Health Research Programme

The aim of the Federal Government's health research policy is that everyone should be able to profit from the results of research. New and improved diagnostic procedures and therapies are being developed to help sick people more effectively. And new approaches to and ways of prevention are being sought which can contribute to stopping illnesses from even occurring. Medical progress will also help to reduce costs. New operational techniques will enable less invasive treatment and, at the same time, shorten the patient's stay in hospital. The BMBF is providing health research with funds of about 5.5 billion euros between 2011 and 2014.

BMBF-funded health research has contributed to many medical breakthroughs in the past. The aim of health research is to provide improved medical treatment in order to enhance people's quality of life. With its "Health Research Framework Programme", which was adopted on 8 December 2010, the Federal Government is re-orienting its health research and focusing on studying the most common diseases. Six German Health Research Centres are being established for this purpose.