Germany – Research and development consultancy services – Querschnittsevaluation „Innovationsorientierte Cluster- und Netzwerkförderung“ (Fördermaßnah-men: Spitzencluster-Wettbewerb, Cluster – Netzwerke – International, Zukunftscluster-Initiative) des Bundesministeriums für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR)

The subject of this contract is the cross-sectional evaluation of the "Innovation-Oriented Cluster and Network Funding" program of the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMTRF). This cross-sectional evaluation aims to monitor the success and identify the unique selling points of the three thematically and technologically open measures for innovation-oriented cluster and network funding of the BMTRF (Leading-Edge Cluster Competition, Clusters – Networks – International, and Future Cluster Initiative). The evaluation serves to monitor success and ensure ongoing quality and is intended to provide insights into the objectives, impact, and cost-effectiveness in accordance with Section 7 Paragraph 2 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO) in conjunction with Administrative Regulation No. 2.2 to Section 7 BHO. The evaluation will focus on a program-specific analysis of the respective priorities of the individual funding measures. This analysis will also assess aspects of the efficiency and effectiveness of the measures' implementation. Secondly, a cross-sectional evaluation will examine the extent to which innovation-oriented cluster and network funding is suitable for strategically networking the knowledge of different stakeholders through appropriate forms of cooperation, thereby contributing to the establishment and strengthening of resilient regional innovation ecosystems. Based on this evaluation, options for action will be developed to optimize implementation and further develop funding approaches.