Joint position paper by science and industry ahead of the upcoming state elections
23 leading scientific organisations and major business associations formulate recommendations to protect academic freedom
2 September 2026
Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is joining a position paper issued by 23 leading scientific organisations – including the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) – and leading business associations. On the occasion of the upcoming state elections, they are emphatically advocating for the protection and strengthening of academic freedom.
To this end, they have formulated key recommendations and outlined them in a position paper. The core argument is that an excellent research landscape and strong, innovative companies are the cornerstones of Germany's prosperity, competitiveness, and technological sovereignty. Research, development, and their industrial application are crucial to securing and further expanding our country's capacity for innovation.
At the same time, our open society and its institutions are facing increasing pressure: forces hostile to science and democracy are attempting to delegitimise research findings, restrict certain topics, or exert ideological influence. This endangers not only academic freedom but also the resilience of our democratic society, the innovativeness of our economy, and, consequently, the future of Germany.