The decision has been made as to which applications for future large research centers in Lusatia can be worked out into a viable concept in the open-topic competition “Knowledge creates perspectives for the region!”. As the Federal Ministry for Research and Education and the Saxon State Chancellery announced today, on July 23, the application “Lab - Lausitz Art of Building” for the development of a concept will be funded until the beginning of 2022. Scientists from TU Dresden are involved in two further successful draft proposals. The TUD application for a “Saxonian Institute of Technology” (SIT) was not selected.

The Rector of the TU Dresden, Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger, explains: “Many aspects play a role in such an outstanding competition. We congratulate Prof. Curbach and look forward to being available as a partner for the selected projects and to supporting them in developing the long proposal with our diverse skills. Regardless of this, we believe in our conception of a SIT in and for Lusatia and will try to implement at least individual aspects on a TUD Lausitz campus."

The spokesman for the SIT application, TUD physics professor Karl Leo, says: “The novel concepts for transfer and the topic of digitization open up a wide range of new opportunities for people. Therefore, an implementation in a different framework would be extremely gratifying!"

All the greater is the joy about the funding of the application "LAB - Lausitz Art of Building". “With our strong team, we are determined to advance the change in construction and to offer Lusatia a future-oriented perspective with a building research center in the heart of Lusatia,” says Prof. Manfred Curbach, spokesman for the proposal and director of the Institute of Concrete Structures at the TU Dresden.

With the LAB, the top researchers are striving for a paradigm shift in the construction industry. This is to be achieved through the use of resource-efficient, climate-neutral high-performance materials and new materials, combined with completely new manufacturing processes, artificial intelligence and the digitization of the entire construction industry. “With this very important step, the focus is on building. We are aware of our great responsibility and will do everything we can to change the requirements of building, always taking into account the experiences of the Lusatians.” emphasizes Manfred Curbach.

The competition

“Knowledge creates perspectives for the region!” Started in November 2020. On July 22nd, the first funding phase was ushered in with the selection of six promising applications. The authors of the six sketches now have six months to develop their ideas into workable concepts for large research centers. You will receive up to 500,000 euros for this. The concepts are assessed by external scientists. On this basis, the federal government and the participating states decide on the funding of the two best concepts, which will start the development phase from summer 2022. From the Structural Strengthening Act, the federal government will provide 1.25 billion euros per center up to and including 2038: Press release BMBF.

Information for journalists:
Press Office TU Dresden
Tel.: 0351 463 32398

Ms. Sandra Kranich
Public Relations
Institute of Concrete Structures
Tel.: 0351 484 567 14