BMBF

The Federal Ministry for Atomic Issues was established in 1955, concentrating on research in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The ministry was renamed in 1962 to Federal Ministry of Scientific Research, with a broader scope; it was renamed again, to Federal Ministry of Education and Science, in 1969. A separate ministry, the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology, was established in 1972. The two Ministries merged in 1994 to form the Federal Ministry for Education, Science, Research and Technology; this title was shortened to Federal Ministry for Education and Research in 1998. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) performs a number of different tasks in following areas:

• vocational education and training
• talent promotion and support of young researchers
• promotion of the international exchange of trainees, students, instructors, academics and scientists
• support for research – basic research, key technologies, research aimed at solving future problems

BMBF is responsible for developing and implementing the international cooperation strategies in science and technology of the German Federal Government. Germany cooperates with more than 50 countries around the world, in many cases on the basis of intergovernmental agreements. The BMBF currently has eight departments (as of February 2009). These are in addition to the central department that is responsible for administrative tasks:

• Office 1: Strategies and Policy Issues
• Office 2: European and international cooperation in education and research
• Office 3: Vocational Training and Lifelong Learning
• Office 4: Science
• Office 5: Key Technologies - Research for Innovation
• Office 6: Life Sciences - Research for Health
• Office 7: Provision for the Future - Research on Culture, Basic Science and Sustainability

Each department consists of one or two sub-divisions and 10 to 15 units. The greater part of the subdivision is located at the Bonn office, the smaller part of the Berlin office. Employs about 900 people, the BMBF. In addition, include two parliamentary secretaries and two civil servants lead the staff.