Germany Announces New Fusion Funding Program
Germany’s Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger announced a new funding program for fusion research aimed at paving the way for the first fusion power plant to be constructed in Germany by 2040.
The aim of the project funding’s first phase is to advance the technologies, components, and materials needed for a fusion power plant by the early 2030s. The second phase is to integrate the technology into a power plant design. Notably, the funding program is open to the multiple technology approaches to fusion and specifically addresses magnetic and inertial confinement.
In order to achieve the construction of a fusion power plant as quickly as possible, the program is based on collaborative research as a form of public-private partnership. Projects on specific sub-technologies are to be carried out jointly by research institutions, universities, and industry.
In September last year, Minister Stark-Watzinger announced that Germany would significantly increase research funding for fusion and will provide more than €1 billion for fusion research by 2028. Within this are funds already earmarked for research institutions and an additional €370 million over the next five years. As part of the new programmatic spending, up to €100 million per year will be made available to fusion companies. The first application round is due for April 15th.
The Fusion Industry Association applauds Germany’s steps to accelerate fusion commercialization and stands ready to support.
