Promotion of information science research by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany

“Progress in research and technolo~cal development, in industry, administration and politics depends decisively on the extent to which information and knowledge can be made available quickly, in a compact and relevant form, and practically applied. . . . Therefore multi-disciplinary information units, in which the information is collected and processed from every relevant point of view, are necessary. . . . Moreover, the infrastructure of information and documentation must be reorganized and improved by better and more systematic promotion of research, standardization, and education. . . . The activities of the Federal Government for the promotion of information and documentation rest on the assumption that the setting up of an effective information system is essentially a public responsibility. . ,” (from the foreword of the Programme of the Federal Government for the Promotion of Information and Documentation). As a consequence the promotion of I&D is an essential part of promotion of research and technology, and therefore it must be seen in co~nec~~o~ Ajax the policy for research and technology of the Federal Government. The following chart gives a general view on the aims and priorities of the German policy on research and technology. The share of grants of the Federal Government for I&D in 1979 amounted to about 1% of the total expenses for the development of science,