03/04/2026

The state of construction research in Germany – researchers call for support

The transformation of the building sector requires enormous effort:

Decarbonisation in construction and operation, end-to-end digitalisation of planning, construction and maintenance, creation of affordable housing, dealing with existing buildings (especially single-family and two-family houses), etc. – to name just a few key points. The challenges are enormous, have a socially explosive impact and cannot be ignored in view of the climate crisis, resource scarcity and demographic change. Current research funding does not do justice to this complex situation.

Leading scientists from various renowned universities and research institutions in Germany, including ifeu Managing Director Prof. Dr. Martin Pehnt, are calling for ongoing, reliable funding for basic and laboratory research as well as transfer research and associated interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborative research projects, as well as better equipment for building research. Only through the federal government's willingness to support research can a faster transformation of the building sector be achieved.

In a letter to Minister Verena Hubertz, State Secretary Sören Bartol and the Building Committee of the German Bundestag, they present a number of topics in which German research institutions have gained international recognition. In return for their demands, the researchers offer cooperation in the form of scientific advice and collaboration.

To the full letter (in German)