The circular economy offers great potential for saving energy and other resources. The innovation competition funded by the BMFTR aims to reduce or overcome obstacles on the way to a circular economy with the help of digital technologies. The focus is on the development and prototype testing of digital solutions that can remove key hurdles in the circular economy.

To advance the commercial application of quantum computers, it is crucial that potential end users have simple and low-threshold access to this pioneering technology. With QC Next, the BMFTR is specifically funding the development of a modular software stack. Open interfaces and suitable reference models are intended to facilitate the integration of quantum computing into existing processes and enable new business models.

The technology programme aims to leverage the potential of generative AI for SMEs by promoting the research and development of practical AI solutions. The focus is on use cases that demonstrate technical feasibility and pave the way for the successful realisation and implementation of generative AI in small and medium-sized enterprises.

The digital transformation presents Germany with significant opportunities for a sustainable future. Increasingly, companies are embracing eco-friendly technologies and innovative solutions to reduce their ecological impact. Through the GreenTech Innovation Competition, the German Government is offering specific assistance to these advancements, aiming to establish Germany as a frontrunner in green technologies and services. This technology programme contributes to the attainment of climate and environmental protection objectives, while also bolstering Germany's and Europe's competitiveness.

In the coalition agreement "Dare more progress", the Federal Government set itself the goal of launching a digital awakening and promoting key digital technologies as well as the digital sovereignty of the economy. The technology programme "Edge data economy" ties in with this and is intended to help secure German and European digital sovereignty and strengthen Germany as a location for technology and innovation. The technology programme will stimulate the balancing of edge and cloud data spaces as a basis for sovereign data exchange and use.

The digitalisation of sustainable living and residential environments is associated with great opportunities for society and the economy. High expectations are placed on the potential of smart living technologies to contribute to greater sustainability in living and residential environments. The aim of the "SmartLivingNEXT" technology programme is to create a universal, AI-based ecosystem that simplifies, accelerates the development of smart living services and applications geared towards sustainability and to design them in a cost-effective way.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) play an important role in electric mobility. They control all important functions in the electric vehicle and form the basis for its integration into future intelligent energy and transport systems.