From Technology Policy to Implementation: Turkish Delegation Visits acatech

Munich, 08 May 2026

How can strategic technology policy be translated into concrete implementation? And which structures create lasting connections between science, industry, and policymaking? These questions were at the center of discussions between acatech and a high-level Turkish delegation representing ministries, research organizations, and industry.

On 8 May 2026, acatech welcomed representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology, the research organization TÜBITAK, the SME support organization KOSGEB, Fraunhofer IAO, and further innovation stakeholders to the acatech office in Munich. Together, participants discussed innovation policy structures, technology transfer, and Industrie 4.0.

Karen Wagner, Head of International Relations at acatech, introduced the Academy’s mission and mode of operation. She highlighted acatech’s role as a bridge-builder between science, industry, policymaking, and society, as well as its distinctive two-pillar structure combining expertise from academia and industry. She also presented acatech’s international engagement within the European academy network Euro-CASE and the global network CAETS, including an outlook on the CAETS Annual Conference 2026 in Munich. In this context, members of the delegation shared insights into the current academy landscape in Türkiye, which is not yet connected to the major international academy networks. Possible future links to European and global networks became part of the discussion.

Impulses on Research and Implementation within the Research Council Industrie 4.0

In the second part of the event, Joachim Sedlmeir, Head of the acatech project “ReCoRD,” introduced the Research Council Industrie 4.0 and explained how the body is structured, aligned, and fulfils its mandate. He particularly emphasized the complementary relationship between strategic research questions and implementation-oriented perspectives.

Coordinated by the acatech project office, the Research Council serves as a strategic, independent, and interdisciplinary body accompanying Plattform Industrie 4.0, its working groups, and the federal ministries concerned – in particular the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The Council develops recommendations on future research and innovation needs in the context of Industrie 4.0 and publishes these in various formats, most recently in a strategy paper featuring roadmaps on business models, engineering, the future of work, and sustainability. These recommendations contribute in particular to the German Federal Government’s High-Tech Agenda and support the broader development of political strategies.

During the subsequent discussion, the Turkish delegation expressed strong interest in initiatives such as the Research Council Industrie 4.0 and Plattform Industrie 4.0. This reflects an interest in further developing comparable structures and dialogue formats in Türkiye. Questions surrounding science-based policy advice, collaboration between academia, industry, and policymaking, as well as sustainable transfer and innovation structures shaped the exchange.

Strategies for attracting young talent and skilled professionals in the natural sciences and engineering completed the agenda. Participants discussed how to inspire younger generations to engage more strongly with STEM subjects and technological innovation.

The visit once again highlighted the importance of international cooperation in technology-oriented policy advice. It created numerous starting points for further German -Turkish exchange on innovation, transfer, and Industrie 4.0.