Giessen receives 5.5 million euros for a modern innovation laboratory!

Giessen receives 5.5 million euros for a modern innovation laboratory!

On March 20, 2025, the approval notice for the ERDF innovation laboratory for process diagnostics at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen (JLU) was handed over. This important initiative to promote innovative solutions received around 5.5 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The decision was handed over by State Secretary Christoph Degen from the Hessian Ministry for Science and Research, Art and Culture.

The new innovation laboratory will focus on key areas such as materials and energy technology and process optimization. The aim is to make a significant contribution to greater sustainability, resource conservation and technological sovereignty. Scientists from various disciplines will work closely with partners from industry to develop innovative solutions in process monitoring, sustainable material technologies and digital diagnostic methods.

State-of-the-art technologies and investments

Particular attention is paid to the use of state-of-the-art procedures, including AI-supported real-time diagnostics. Prof. Dr. Wencke Gwozdz, Vice President of JLU, emphasizes the university's increased transfer potential for the region. In addition to the ERDF funding of 5.5 million euros, the JLU is also investing 8.3 million euros of its own funds, so that the total investment in the innovation laboratory amounts to around 14 million euros.

The European Commission has classified the innovation laboratory as a “project of strategic importance”. The ERDF initiatives aim to reduce economic and social inequalities between regions. For the funding period from 2021 to 2027, Hesse has around 249 million euros available from the ERDF to support various projects and thus promote regional development.

Research and innovation as the key to the future

According to the objectives of the European Union Investments in research and innovation are crucial for the future of Europe. These initiatives not only ensure the EU's competitiveness, but also contribute to solving important societal challenges.

The EU actively promotes collaboration between research teams from different countries and disciplines. Funding is provided through multi-annual framework programs aimed at strengthening the EU's scientific position and driving industrial innovation through investment in key technologies. There is also a particular focus on facilitating access to capital, particularly for small businesses, to address societal concerns such as climate change and sustainable transport.

The research and innovation stimulated by projects such as the ERDF Process Diagnostics Innovation Laboratory are therefore a guarantee not only of technological advances, but also of sustainable and commercially potential products that ultimately benefit society as a whole.

Further information can be found at uni-giessen.de and science.hessen.de.