Competence Networks in Medicine

Horizontal and vertical accomplishments and tasks for added value in medical science

Efficient and qualitatively outstanding health research is a major pre-requisite to ensure progress in medical care. This is why since 1999, the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) initiated the establishment of ‘Competence Networks in Medicine‘ as a measure to promote scientific excellence by disease-oriented research. Meanwhile, the total number of funded networks has increased to 21.

In being specifically oriented towards diseases with a high socio-economic impact, these networks focus on a two pronged approach, directed at innovation oriented research and the transfer and implementation of research results into practical and economically viable solutions. The ambitious goal of integrating existing nationwide expertise towards applicable prevention, diagnosis and treatment solutions require joined forces of scientists, doctors in hospitals and private practice, clinicians, patient organizations and regulatory bodies to enable multidisciplinary cooperative medical research.

Disease-oriented research, expertise networking, knowledge transfer – the Competence Networks address a wide variety of tasks along the main goal of improved health care.