Overview

• Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär halted the relocation of the Deutsche Agentur für Transfer und Innovation to Erfurt on October 9.
• The agency was intended to speed the transfer of technological and social research into practice, with Erfurt chosen over 68 competitors for a base in the planned ICE-City district.
• A 2024 concept earmarked about €714 million in personnel and operating costs through 2029 for the project.
• Environment Minister Carsten Schneider condemned the decision and called for either a correction or compensation, while Greens lawmaker Katrin Göring-Eckardt urged a new concept for Erfurt.
• Thuringian officials said the outcome was signaled by the new black‑red coalition agreement, regional economic leaders warned of serious local fallout, and the research ministry has not outlined next steps.