Nation backs 29 undertakings for eco-friendly research facilities

In March 2025, the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts in Baden-Württemberg launched the "BWGreenLabs" idea competition, inviting universities, universities of applied sciences, and dual universities within the state to participate. The competition, designed to reduce the ecological footprint of research laboratories, has seen a total of 29 projects funded, each receiving up to 35,000 euros.

The projects encompass a wide range of innovative ideas, from the application of sensor technology and modeling to optimize energy and water consumption, to a "Freezer Challenge" aimed at reducing energy consumption in laboratory freezers. Digital and AI-based solutions, as well as bonus and incentive models, are being employed in these projects to foster creativity and efficiency.

The focus areas of these projects are primarily energy, water, waste, and materials/chemicals in daily laboratory operations. Each university was allowed to submit up to three applications for project proposals.

After a one-year trial phase, the three most creative and impactful ideas will be awarded 100,000 euros each. The roll-out concepts for these winning projects will be separately funded for outreach activities to promote successful concepts and ideas throughout the state.

Notable participants in the competition include the University of Heidelberg, the University of Stuttgart, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, who started implementing their projects on September 1, 2025.

For more information about the "BWGreenLabs" competition, please contact the Press Office (Email: Press Office, External: Press Office) or the Citizen Liaison Officer (Email: Citizen Liaison Officer, External: Contact Form) at the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. The total funding volume of the competition is 1.4 million euros.